The Hesitant Hero by Gilbert Morris

for he had come back for no other reason. He saw that she still did not trust him and knew that the weakness she had seen in him before, especially when they were still in the States, kept her suspicious. “I’ll do it, of course.”
    “That would take a huge load off of my mind,” Jolie said. “We must plan carefully.”

    ****
    Tyler would have left the next day, but Rochelle’s illness had gotten worse, so they were forced to wait. There was little else to do except listen to the radio. They heard that the roads were now filled with refugees streaming away from the battle zones, and one day Tyler said, “We may run into German troops somewhere along the line.”
    “If that happens,” Jolie said quietly, “then God will have to guide you.”
    The three were having supper together, as had become their custom since Tyler had returned from Paris.
    “You really believe that God guides people?” Tyler asked. “My folks believe that and my brother does too.”
    “Yes, I really do. What about you? Don’t you believe it?”
    “I guess I do in a sort of vague way, but the rest of my family has great faith in God.” He looked down and didn’t speak for a moment. “I’ve missed something somewhere along the line.”
    “You will do fine. Maman and I will be praying for you. God will be with you. But what will you do when you get them to England?”
    “I’ve been thinking about that,” Tyler said. “England is in for a rough time. It’s the only nation that stands against Hitler now. I think I’d like to take the children to America. I could find a good orphanage there. Or I’ve even thought of taking them to Africa.”
    “To Africa!” Marvel exclaimed. “You mean to be with your family?”
    “Yes. It’s a rough life, but at least there’s no war there.”
    When a knock sounded at the door, Jolie went to answer it.
    “Your daughter says I’m a weak man,” Tyler commented when Jolie was out of earshot.
    “We’re all weak people.”
    “You’re not—she’s not.”
    “Yes we are. Weakness comes out in many ways.” Shereached over to put her hand over his. “You haven’t found yourself yet, but you will.”
    Tyler felt warmed by this woman’s strength and by her encouragement. He had not expected to have it. “Do you know who Superman is?”
    “You mean the cartoon figure? Yes, I have seen the comic book.”
    “She wants to marry Superman, a man without faults—and that’s not me,” he said, attempting to smile.
    “Jolie is a very strong woman, but she has to learn that everybody has shortcomings, and we must not love people less because of them. We must pray that they will be overcome. Find God’s will, Tyler. If it is His will for you to be with my daughter, He will find a way to bring the two of you together.”
    Jolie came back into the room. “It was Madame Colle from next door. She wanted to borrow some milk, but we’re all out.” She saw that the two were looking serious and asked, “What are you talking about?”
    “About you,” Tyler answered. “I was just saying what a strong-willed woman you are. I’ll bet you were a strong-willed child too.”
    Marvel laughed. “She was that, of a certainty.”
    “I’m no more strong-willed than you are, Maman.”
    The two traded several teasing remarks. “Since you’ve decided I’m strong-willed, I might as well be so,” Jolie said with a smile that she could not hide. “But on a more serious note, I’ve decided to go as far as the coast with you,” she told Tyler.
    “Why, that would be wonderful!” he exclaimed.
    “Your French is not good enough, and the children might be a problem.”
    “That may be the best thing. What port city were you thinking of?” Marvel asked.
    “Le Havre, I think, would be the best, but if the radio reports are true, the Germans are already in some ports. They may already be there.”
    “If that’s closed, Cherbourg might be a good option,” Marvel said.
    “Yes, that would be good.