Covering by Juan Roberts

Based on true events:

Ok, after 7 years of marriage, Raymond put his hands on his wife. He did not intend to, but the fact is that he did.

As I chat with Ray, he explains that he was dealing with some stuff at work and with a crazy neighbor. His wife had a tendency to jump in his face as soon as he crossed the threshold with the stuff of her day. This particular day was not the day for him to hear more of anything negative.

Before he knew it, he had her up against the refrigerator scratching at his arm as he held her tight by her neck, with only her tiptoes touching the floor. He doesn’t remember what was said to him or if he responded. He never heard the kids crying his name or even the dog barking at him.

He comes to himself. His reaction to the choking is that of a husband finding another man assaulting his wife, he yanks his own hand away and forcibly takes himself to the basement and stays for hours.

Ray just knew that the next steps he would hear coming down the stairs would be the cops. What seems like hours later, as he sits in complete darkness, the house above him is unusually silent – no video games, no running, jumping, laughing … not even TV. It is as though his entire family had left him. He fully expected them to disown him.

Then, he began to smell food being prepared. The nuances of home life began to peek back into existence. Just then the basement door opens. His wife begins to descend to his ‘perch of shame’ under the stairs. She meekly sits next to him in silence. Before long she slowly slides her hand onto his head and begins to pray. She covers his outburst, asks God to restore him and ends with a powerful prayer of forgiveness.

Fast-forward 25 years >>> Raymond and Simone are celebrating their 25th anniversary with family and friends. Speeches are going around the room aimed towards the happy couple. Raymond stands to toast his wife, but nothing comes out right away. He looks deeply into the eyes of the woman that has covered him with prayer ever since that day. She begins to get misty. Their 5 children make their way to their parents and they all melted into a group hug that fills the room with tears, praise and prayer. It is a profound ‘God moment.’

Raymond’s testimony helps me appreciate my wife more and more. She has covered me with prayer through some difficult times. While I was trying to be saved in corporate America or helping hundreds of people in a myriad of ways -- only to be burned. Even through devastating family tragedies. I have made arrogant headstrong mistakes and she still props me up when I want to give up from the self-induced pressure. Strong woman. My hero.

Thank you Sweetness.

Thank you Jesus