Grace and the Preacher

by Kim Vogel Sawyer

  “Yes.”

  “Chapter twenty-three. I like that chapter. Especially the part that says ‘for thou art with me.’ It’s comforting to remember that no matter where I go or what kind of  hardships I come up against, God is always with me.”

  She examined his profile, the firm line of  his square chin, his clean-shaven cheeks, his thick dark hair combed away from his face. Strange how closely he resembled the picture she’d formed in her head when awaiting Rufus Dille’s arrival.

  She dropped her gaze to the Bible. “There are many comforting scriptures in the Bible.”

  He turned abruptly and moved so close his shadow cloaked her, giving her a reminder of  God’s encompassing presence. “Miss Cristler, can I ask you a question?”

  She bit down on her lower lip, holding her breath, and dared a little nod.

  “Will you ever be able to forgive me?”

  “But if  ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” She silently begged God for strength, and her breath wheezed out with her answer. “I already have.”

  He squatted next to her, his expression searching. “You have? You’re sure?”

  She hung her head, tears of regret stinging her already-sore eyes. “If  I hadn’t viewed Rufus Dille as my last chance for happiness, what I perceived as your betrayal wouldn’t have destroyed me. I was wrong to put so much importance on a human relationship. You…” She peeked at him through her eyelashes. “You were right when you told me only God can fill us. I know that now.”

  God’s presence flooded her so thoroughly she couldn’t remain bent low. Her shoulders squared, her chin lifted. She couldn’t stop a smile from growing on her lips. “He forgave me, and I forgive you.”

  He touched her knee with the tips of  his fingers. “Thank you, Miss Cristler.”

  Very gently she laid her hand on top of  his. “You may call me Grace.”

  “Thank you, Grace.”

  Oh, the joyfulness in his voice. His happiness spilled over and ignited her own joy. “You’re welcome…, Theophil.”

  An impish grin toyed on his mouth. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather you shortened that up to Theo. The only time Granny Iva called me Theophil was when I’d been up to mischief.”

  Witnessing the twinkle in his eyes, she imagined he’d found his fair share of mischief. She sampled the shortened version of  his name. “Theo.” It felt right on her tongue.

  “Grace.”

  Her name sounded right coming from his lips. Contentment settled around her, a blessed serenity that only God in His amazing ability to bestow grace could give. Now that she’d found her peace, it was time to go home. Still, she didn’t attempt to rise.

  He straightened to his feet, then stood gazing down at her with his brow furrowed. “Grace, can I ask you somethin’ else?”

  She offered a delicate shrug.

  “I’m not a preacher. Probably won’t ever be. Most likely I’ll be a liveryman.”

  “Lucas Bibb doesn’t intend to manage the livery he’s building?”

  “He’s still got the blacksmith shop, so he says he’ll need help.” He shifted in place as if eager to take action. “Since the stagecoach comes to Fairland just once a week, he figures having buggies an’ teams for folks to rent if they need to travel out of town will be a real boon to the whole township. He suspects there’ll be plenty of  business, more’n he can handle with the blacksmith shop, too. I told him how I worked at the livery in Cooperville, an’ he’s seen how I’ve been carin’ for Aunt Bess’s horses, so he asked me to stay around after the livery’s built an’ work there.”

  Grace gaped at him in amazement. He’d never seemed so enthusiastic, so open and animated. The bashful, tongue-tied preacher—her preacher—had disappeared, and she realized she liked the new version pacing on the grass and flinging his arms in excited gestures.

  He bent forward, propping his hands on his knees. “I know you had your heart set on marrying up with a preacher, but do you think…maybe…if a liveryman promised to love an’ honor an’ cherish you for the rest of your life, you might be able to love him back?”

  “Oh, Theo…” She shifted to her knees and smiled into his hopeful face. “I think I already do.”

  “You do?” He bolted upright so quickly his foot slipped, and before she could take a breath, he went sideways into the creek.

  She clapped her hands to her cheeks and stared open mouthed as he came up spluttering, laughing, throwing water in every direction. He splashed up on the bank and caught her hands. With one smooth motion he pulled her to her feet and into his water-soaked embrace. Holding her close, he looked skyward and bellowed out, “Thank You, God, for givin’ me Grace!”

  She burrowed her face into the curve of  his neck and finished the prayer. “Amen.”

  1. A stray, lonely cat gave Bess Kirby the idea of using her home as a boardinghouse for lonely people. Has God ever used something unlikely or unusual to open your heart to a specific means of ministry? How has that impacted and blessed your life?

  2. Bess Kirby offered wise counsel to both Grace and Theo in the story. One thing she told Theo was that God’s plan doesn’t always appear sensible from a human standpoint, but it’s always the best plan. What unusual circumstances did God use to bring Theo to Fairland? How did God prepare Theo for the position of service he would eventually assume in the town? Have you ever stepped off your own pathway to walk through the door God has opened for you? How did God prepare you for that door of service?

  3. Both Grace and Theo recalled childhood lessons—Grace from her aunt, Theo from his grandmother. What similarities can we find in the two women’s teachings? What differences? What childhood lessons, either positive or negative, have stayed with you in adulthood?

  4. Earl carried a fierce grudge against Theo and was determined to “give Theophil his due,” but his goal changed by the story’s end. What brought about the change?

  5. Earl was taken in by the Hookers, a Christian couple who made quite an impact on him. When Earl was hesitant to attend church because of  his tattered appearance, Mrs. Hooker told him, “God don’t care what you put on your outside. He just wants us to bring Him our best, an’ that’s our hearts raised up to Him in worship.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not? How can we, as believers, look past the outsides to the needy souls underneath?

  6. Reverend Cristler assured Theo, “Where you came from and who you were doesn’t matter nearly as much as who you’ve become.” Is this true? When God looks at us, what does He see? Are we reluctant to believe people have truly changed from one type of  behavior to another?

  7. Theo was forced to pray aloud when Reverend Cristler was stricken with scarlatina. As he prayed, his focus shifted from his worry to the One who listened. Why is worry a futile activity? Why is prayer a better way of addressing our concerns?

  8. Theo spent much of the story trying to be someone he wasn’t. He relied on the story about Saul of  Tarsus as proof that he could change. Why were Theo’s attempts to become Rufus Dille unsuccessful? What did Theo need to change besides his name and background to become a new person?

  9. Granny Iva’s Bible was very important to Theo, and Uncle Philemon’s Bible held significance for Grace. Has a Bible been passed down in your family that has meaning for you? Why is it important to you? Is there someone you hope will inherit your Bible? Why do you want that individual to have it?

  10. Mrs. Kirby made the statement “Actions always stand stronger than words.” Is this true? Why or why not? Have someone’s actions ever impacted you more deeply than words? Have you ever chosen to act rather than speak when ministering to someone? What was the result of your action?

  11. Mrs. Kirby was grateful that Rufus/Theo faced challenges, even in his nervousness, because endurance grows out of  hardship. Think back on times of  hardship in your life. How did God use the challenges to strengthen you? How do times when we are weak e
ventually grow us and make us stronger?

  12. Theo told Grace, “If  He’s not first, then we can’t be whole.” Do you agree or disagree with his statement? Why? Are you struggling with feelings of  incompleteness? How have you tried to fill that emptiness? Are you willing to ask God to fill it instead of relying on temporary relationships, activities, or other things to fill you?

  To my family—Mom and Daddy, Don, my beautiful daughters, and precious granddarlings: Thank you for your support and encouragement. I would not be able to fulfill the obligations of this ministry without you.

  To the posse—Eileen, Connie, Margie, Darlene, and Jalana: Thanks for the laughter. It really is good medicine!

  To the families of  Bess Kirby, Ione Hidde, Regina Pritchard, and Viola Schmucker: Thank you for letting me borrow these precious ladies’ names and use them in this story. Each dear woman forever holds a special place in my heart.

  To Shannon, Kelly, Julee, Carol, Jessica, and the entire team at WaterBrook: Thank you for your part in making these stories the very best they can be and sending them into readers’ hands. I appreciate you very much.

  Finally, and most important, to God: Thank You for the doors of ministry You have opened for me, far beyond what I could have ever dreamed or imagined. You are my Strength, my Guide, and my Fulfiller. Because of  You, I am whole. May any praise or glory be reflected directly back to You.