Maggie’s Moment

Beverly Hill
3 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Maggie anxiously awaited her upcoming trip. It felt like years since she had traveled. After the divorce, the career change, and the onset of her mother's dementia, there had been neither time nor money for travel.

The past five years had been traumatic, to say the least. After 15 dedicated years, she lost her high-level position with the Agricultural Department of the federal government. Being home gave her the opportunity to spend more time with her husband, Dale—or so she thought. So immersed in her work, she ignored her feelings of loneliness and the lack of love in their marriage. She couldn't remember the last time they had made love.

*Dale must feel the same way,* she thought.

Well, surprise, surprise. It took only two weeks for Maggie to discover that Dale was deeply involved in an affair with a woman half her age. To top it off, everyone at his office knew about it. Maggie had been so busy with her job, her status, lunches with the "right people," and climbing the corporate ladder that she hadn't noticed Dale was simply going through the motions of their marriage.

The tension and anxiety increased when her mother's doctor told her she was in the early stages of dementia and would need special attention to slow its progression. As an only child, Maggie knew that responsibility would fall to her.

*This,* she thought, *on top of everything else. I'm not sure I can take any more.*

The divorce dragged on because Dale insisted she could keep the house—but only if she gave up all the savings, the timeshare in Italy, and the boat.

"Hell no!" she told him.

Maggie felt fortunate to find a new job that paid just as well in the private sector. It was actually much better, minus the government madness. In her former department, so many people had been let go with little notice. At her new job, she genuinely liked both her subordinates and her boss. She was finally digging out of the financial hole created by a year without work. She had also begun to move on from the divorce—and from many of the "right people" she had once worked so hard to impress.

This was Maggie's first trip to Jamaica alone. She and Dale had visited before they were married. The brochure and travel agent promised a dream-come-true itinerary. Not only would she spend five days in Montego Bay, but she had also booked short excursions to Ocho Rios, Negril, and the Blue Mountains.

*I deserve this,* she thought. *Life is good.*

Five swimsuits with matching cover-ups—check. Three silky scarves to cover her head whenever required—check. Six lightweight tops in various colors, along with shorts and pants—check. Two cocktail dresses, one formal dress, and two long skirts—check, check, check.

Oh, and the cute reversible bucket hat, plus a couple of caps. Comfortable walking shoes and one cute pair of wedge sandals were a given.

"Got my cosmetics, toothbrush...I'm set," she said to herself.

Finally—wheels up!

She told herself this was going to be the GOAT. She relaxed into her first-class seat and immediately requested a glass of champagne.

Steel drums filled the air as she deplaned.

"Yes," she said to herself. "This is going to be good."

Her limo driver stood inside the terminal holding a simple cardboard sign that read, "Maggie."

The limousine whisked her away to Momondo, one of the finest hotels in Montego Bay. Once inside her room, Maggie threw herself onto the king-sized bed in complete abandon. Laughing, she did a little happy dance, kicking her legs into the air as if riding an imaginary bicycle.

"A little nap, and then it's on like a pot of neck bones," she laughed.

As Winston guided the raft slowly up the river, Maggie heard what she thought was thunder.

"Oh no, I hope it doesn't rain," she said.

"No problem, m'dear. Even if it rains, it only lasts a short while," Winston replied. "But that, m'dear, is not thunder. We are approaching the great waterfall."

The roar grew louder. Soon Winston was tying the raft near the shore.

"You ready?" he asked.

"Absolutely," she replied, though she felt a little nervous.

Winston carefully took her hand and guided her across the rocks.

"No problem, m'dear. Just walk with confidence and keep your head up. I've got you."

Before long, Maggie found herself behind the waterfall, relaxing in a pool of cool water. The thunderous roar was much softer there. A cool spray washed over her head and body. Although the area was rocky, lush greenery pushed its way through the stone.

Maggie stretched out and floated on the water. Closing her eyes, she whispered, "Thank You, God. Only You know how much I needed this."

At that very moment, it felt as though her soul cracked open.

Suddenly, she found herself floating in a brilliant light that surrounded and filled her. Just as suddenly, she was flooded with comforting messages from on High.

"I am with you always, My child. You are never alone. Pick up My cause and follow Me."

At first Maggie was startled, but the words came gently, almost ethereally, filling her with peace instead of fear. She knew she had experienced a spiritual awakening.

Five years of accumulated tears finally broke free. They mingled with the waterfall, becoming part of its endless flow.

*Perfect,* she thought. *I'm washing all my tears away.*

This was only her second day on the island, yet it had become her first true encounter with the Most High.

"Thank You. Praise Your holy name. At last, I have found the peace and tranquility my heart has longed for."

**Selah.**