Doris Hall Bowman

The Redemption of Anna Doris Hall Bowman

Thirteen year old Anna lay quietly under the covers in the upstairs bedroom that she shared with three sisters. Intently she listened to the sound of each of them settling into sleep. When all was quiet and still, Anna slowly and carefully slid out of bed. She reached for the clothes she had hidden underneath the bed that she shared with eleven-year-old Marilou. Silently she pulled on her clothes and, shoes in hand, crept over to the open window. In a matter of seconds, Anna was out the window and on the low roof of the back porch. From there it was just a step onto the sturdy limb of the nearby oak tree and a quick drop to the soft grass below where Mike was waiting in the shadow of the shrubbery. Being raised within the strict confines of a large family of churchgoers, Anna longed at an early age for the freedom to make her own choices. Little did she know what awaited her over the coming years as she faced the heartbreaking consequences of her rebellion. From her reckless teen years, through an abusive relationship and a horrifying rejection and then into old age, Anna's choices continually wreaked havoc on her family. This story demonstrates God's unstoppable love and mercy toward us even though we are rebellious and unmindful that He is always with us, graciously extending His hand to lead us back to Him.