[Editor's Note: Continued from last week. Click here to read Part 1.]

...But then that voice came again, "And what do Hags deserve?"

Yikes. So I found my cake pan and begrudgingly set about the task. I found the flour, I found the powdered chocolate, I cracked the eggs, and as I began melting the butter, something else started to soften. To my surprise, a memory of love, and of vows and of thankfulness to God for His mercy on such a sinner as me edged its way in. Despite my 'rightness', despite my hurt feelings and despite my plans to destroy the man who hurt me, God used the simple act of serving my husband in obedience to dissolve my wicked agenda. Obedience always brings reward. Soon, I began loving my husband and a desire to please him welled up. God blessed the tiny shred of obedience that I dredged up and He grew it. And it grew and grew and grew. As the rich smell chocolate cake filled the kitchen and warmed my home a new plan formed. A plan motivated by the same grace and love that God offered me when He died for my depraved ugliness. The battle plans were shredded. My children were called out and I got on my knees and repented for being such a rotten example. And I pleaded that God would make me a better teacher. And then we wiped our eyes set ourselves to work. The recipe book came out and a full course dinner was designed. Candles were rummaged out of dusty drawers. A white lace tablecloth donned the dining room table. The children were employed at setting the house in order. Toilets were cleaned, walls were washed, and floors were scrubbed, while a sinful wife, desiring to obey her Lord stepped out in faith, and arranged a home filled with peace, one worthy to be enjoyed by a King.

The children were fed and then sent to bed a little earlier as the plan continued to grow. I was praising God for the precious gift of my husband. I was brimming with memories of when and why we first fell in love. I was humbled at the thought of being such a hindrance to the man who truly did his best to serve our family. The plan grew even bigger, and I marched upstairs and yanked out the "WOW!" dress from the back of the closet and then even slapped on a little make-up. And then I went to the table, sat facing the door, and waited anxiously, and nervously, for him to come home. No doubt he had used his time to prepare for the battle I promised. I heard the keys at the lock and sat up a bit straighter. It was him. The door opened hesitantly, and cautiously, as if he expected to be met with flying pottery. When it swung fully open he was completely caught off guard. He stared at me completely confused. He stepped out, checked the house number, and then came back in looking nervous "What going on?" he asked suspiciously. His eyes darted to the meal...to the chocolate cake... to the dress... to the cake... almost to the dress --then back to the cake.