Molly’s Story
I will teach you and tell you the way to go and how to get there;
I will give you good counsel, and I will watch over you. (Psalm 32:8)
I was commissioned and ordained as a Salvation Army officer in June of 1977, at the ripe old age of 21. My first appointment was as the assistant officer at the Long Beach, California corps and command. The command included a Family Service Center and a Federal Prison Pre-Release Residence, located downtown on Pacific Avenue, called Beach Haven. There was also a large center for worship and service located on Long Beach Boulevard. My primary responsibility was youth work, but I was also expected to participate in and help lead adult programs. It was an exciting and slightly overwhelming start for a young woman from Hobbs, New Mexico.
When I was commissioned, the School for Officer Training was about 20 miles from the Long Beach corps. Transportation was the responsibility of the corps, and as a joke, I was issued a check for $5 to cover the costs. It was up to me to figure it out. My mom had driven from Texas to California to attend my commissioning events, and after the weekend, my friend Jeannie and I drove back to Texas with her. My dad gave me a car to drive.
After a two-week vacation, I dropped Jeannie off at her first appointment at the Hollywood Command and arrived at my new post. I was assigned living quarters in the manager’s apartment at Beach Haven and provided a station wagon for transportation. I was told that the car my dad had given me would not be necessary and would not be insured or maintained by The Salvation Army. I parked it in the lot behind Beach Haven and forgot about it. Being young and inexperienced, I knew little about car ownership, registration and maintenance — lessons I would later learn.
Living at Beach Haven was safe once you were inside the building, but the neighborhood was a different story. I often came home late after youth activities, parking in the unlit lot behind the building. The walk to the back gate was short, but the lock was frequently broken. This meant walking between Beach Haven and the neighboring apartment building — fine during the day, but at night it felt like “a place where angels feared to tread.” I’m convinced my guardian angel worked overtime, and I believe the men in our pre-release program also spread the word that I was to be kept safe.
Beach Haven was originally built to be a shelter for women and children, but by the time construction was complete, another agency had secured the city contract. The building was repurposed into a successful prisoner pre-release program. Despite its new purpose, we still received desperate calls from women in crisis. Many of those calls were directed to me.
One of those calls came from Molly. Her husband had been in an accident and was on life support at a nearby hospital. Could I come and visit? I quickly put my uniform on and headed to the hospital. Molly was frightened and overwhelmed. I prayed with her and offered support. She asked for my advice about continuing life support, as her husband showed no brain activity. Gently, I told her it might be time to say her goodbyes. I stayed until she felt ready to let me go, assuring her she could call anytime.
Molly called a few more times in the days that followed. One day, while I was leading the Home League program at the church, our secretary, Linda, rushed in to tell me Molly was on the phone — threatening to kill herself. I asked Linda to get her address and keep her talking while I drove over.
“Where angels fear to tread…”
The address led me to a bar. Unfazed, I went in and asked the bartender if he knew Molly. He did — her house was just behind the bar. I thanked him and drove around to the correct address.
I knocked, and Molly answered. She held a large butcher knife in one hand and the phone in the other. Beside her was a massive black dog barking aggressively. “Satan, be quiet. Go sit,” she commanded. Then she said into the phone, “She’s here; I’m hanging up now.”
I’d be lying if I said my first thought wasn’t to turn around and leave — big black dog named Satan, butcher knife, suicidal woman — but something told me to stay. When Molly invited me in and Satan wagged his tail, I knew this was a God moment.
We talked for a while, and I asked when she had last eaten. She gestured to a jar of peanut butter. I told her I was going to get some food and cleaning supplies and would be back in an hour. She agreed.
I returned with the secretary, Linda. We brought food, and supplies. We gave Molly a hamburger and fries, which she happily shared with Satan, who was now my friend. Then we tackled the kitchen — roach-infested and barely functional. When we sprayed Raid, the entire wall moved, sending Linda and me fleeing. Armed with a broom and mop, we returned and conquered the kitchen. Molly began helping us clean, and I could see her spirits lifting.
Over the next few weeks, I made regular visits. Slowly, I watched Molly transform. She cleaned herself up, tended to her home and even planted flowers. One day, she told me she was enrolling in college and no longer needed my visits, though she promised to stay in touch. Eventually, she moved back near family, and I never heard from Molly again. Yet, she left an imprint on my heart. I often wonder if she ever thinks of me — because I will never forget her.
“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalms 32:8 NLT
Many years ago, when I agreed to trust and obey God about being His servant, I claimed Psalm 32:8 as a promise from God for my life. My life has rarely been boring and I have clung tightly to that promise. Perhaps you need to claim the promise, or simply be reminded to trust and obey God today.
Debi Bell
Commissioner (retired but still trusting)
OUR CORPORATE PRAYER
Thank you for Your immense love and the many blessings You have given us. We are grateful that Your favor knows no bounds and will last our entire lives. Please forgive us for our sins and set us free through the power of Your Holy Spirit. We rejoice in knowing that You hear us when we call upon Your Name, and we give You all honor and glory that Your name deserves. We conclude this prayer with thanksgiving for another day to serve You. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.