Thank goodness this long day was finally over. All Kelly wanted to do was take a hot shower, then curl up in bed with a cup of tea and a good book. She pulled open the door to her house, and was greeted with unbelievable commotion. The baby was crying, the dog was barking, the twins were running through the living room, and the oven timer was going off. Where was Ben?

Kelly’s head pounded. She did not need this. Where even to go first? She hurried toward the baby’s room, where she found Ben in the midst of changing Owen’s diaper.

“Oh, good. You’re home. Can you get dinner out of the oven? It was almost ready when Owen here decided to explode out of his diaper.”

“Would you rather have me take over here?”

Ben’s eyes darted to hers. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’ll do it. Round the twins up and we’ll be down to join you as soon as I’m done. Thanks for heating up the lasagna.”

“No problem. You did all the work last night when you made it.”
            “True.”

Kelly finished cleaning Owen and hugged him to her chest, kissing his downy soft curls. His cries settled as he snuggled close to her. She took a moment before heading back downstairs.

When she entered the kitchen, Jesse and Becca were in the midst of chasing one another around the table.

“Kids! Settle down!” Ben called out.

The twins skidded to a halt when they saw Kelly. At once, they began telling her everything about their day. The headache grew. Kelly strapped Owen in his high chair and started dishing out food onto everyone’s plates.

After dinner, giving the twins their baths, and reading bedtime stories, Kelly plodded back downstairs, where Ben was working on the computer. She approached him from behind and lay her hands on his shoulders. He swiveled in his chair to face her, then pulled her into his lap.

“You seem beat.” He brushed her hair from her forehead.

“It was a rough day at work. I could use a little quiet. How was your day?”

“I thought the 7 – 3 shift at the hospital would be calmer than the night shift.”

“Is it not?”

“Not lately. Don’t get me wrong, I’m much happier on this shift. I love that I can get the twins off the bus and be home for dinner. But today was pretty tough.”

“What happened?”

“My first patient of the day was a young woman who’d tried to commit suicide.”

Kelly sucked in a breath. “That’s awful.”

“It was. I felt so sad for her.” Ben took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“Did she talk to you about why she did it?”

“She did. Her husband and child were killed recently in a hit and run. She couldn’t bear the thought of a lifetime without them. She said she couldn’t stand the stillness and quiet of her house.”

Kelly leaned her head against Ben’s chest and breathed in the scent of him, his heartbeat rhythmic beneath her cheek. “I’m glad she had you to talk to. You always know exactly what to say to help people.”

“I hope so.”

That night, when the only sound in the house was the soft snoring of her husband, Kelly lay awake, unable to get her mind off the young woman who had tried to end her life. She couldn’t imagine losing her family. Ben’s words echoed in her mind. The young woman couldn’t stand the stillness and quiet of her house.

No matter how much Kelly longed for an occasional quiet moment, the idea of complete silence in her house was unnerving. She finally drifted off to sleep, praying for the unknown woman.

At the end of the workday the next day, Kelly was again tired. When she opened the front door, the twins were fighting over a toy and the dog had green paint streaked across his back. Owen was toddling across the floor, Ben right behind, waiting to scoop him up when he fell. Kelly stood in the doorway for a moment, soaking in the chaos.

Ben glanced her way. “Hey, you OK?”

Kelly grinned. “Never better.”

Psalm 125: 3-5

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

God, when we live our lives surrounded by other people, there is rarely peace and quiet. Thank you for all the blessings in our lives. Please help us to recognize the people in our lives for what they are – true blessings. Thank you for the blessings of a loving family. Please help us appreciate all the people you have brought into our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.