“The Lord speaks to each one of us in different ways. He may use your mother, your sister, your child, or even your boss. He might even use an unbeliever. God never said his messages would come in nicely wrapped packages from your pastor,” the pastor could be heard saying from inside the packed church. “God doesn’t do things the way WE want them done. He does things the way we NEED them done, so he can get out of us what holds us back, what keeps us from him. He wants to help us reach the next level. He sends us what we need, when we need it, in HIS time. We are on his schedule, not the other way around.”
“Would you like to come in?” a woman dressed in all white asked, as Tierra stepped into the corridor of the church.
“Hmm, no thank you, I’m waiting for someone. I’d rather wait right here, if that’s OK?!”
“You don’t have to be afraid. God will meet you, no matter where you’re coming from.”
“I’m not here to meet God. I was tricked into coming here. He knew I’d never come if I knew where he was. I’ll wait right here, if you don’t mid,” she insisted.
“Maybe it’s no trick you’re here today,” the woman replied, and retreated back to her post.
Not a trick? What does she know? Doesn’t she know we have nothing to say to each other! I mean, really, what would you have to say to me, that I’d want to hear? Tierra thought, looking up.
“I forgive you! That is what God is trying to say to one you. I forgive you for forgetting about me, for turning your back on me, for being angry with me. I am still here for you. I will always be here for you. That’s what the Lord is saying to one of you today,” The pastor’s words made Tierra jump in her skin. She quickly turned around and looked at the preacher as if he was secretly reading her mind. Their eyes met briefly through the window in the closed doors that separated the sanctuary from the hall corridor.
“I know you’re hurting. I know you’re afraid. I know you’re in need of a change. The Lord wants you to know his door is always open. Though you’ve turned your back on him, he will never turn his back on you. All you have to do is call on him. You don’t have to get all religious about it. You don’t have to be in your Sunday best, you can be in your Saturday, just hanging out, best. You just have to call him. You just have to say, ‘FATHER, I NEED YOU! HELP ME!’ He’s blessed you, he’s protected you, and he’s maintained you. Times may have gotten rough. You may have gone though some really rough trials and storms. You may have been beaten up and stomped on by the Devil. But, IF YOU ARE STILL STANDING…” the preacher paused, as the congregation yelled Amen in agreement. “…then the Lord our father has kept you. He didn’t let you fall. He didn’t turn his hand away from you. It could have been worse. Look at your neighbor, and tell them “THE DEVIL HASN’T WON, I’M STILL STANDING!”
Voices could be heard all over the sanctuary repeating the words of the pastor. Then they erupted in clapping and praise. The lady in white peered around the corner, and said, “You’re still standing, can it really be that bad?” and then disappeared back, around the corner.
“Now, let us pray… Father, we thank you for the breath in our lungs today. We thank you for your protection today. Father we thank you for just being you Lord, and we ask for your healing in this place. We ask for you to touch us in the places of our lives that have been broken. Heal those empty places Father, and fill them up, with your love Father. I bind the devil, and his hands from upon this house, and everyone under the sound of my voice. We thank you, Lord, for your grace, for your mercy, and your forgiveness, and the victory that we have in you. We thank you for your gift of love, for your son. I ask you, Lord, to search each and every heart in here tonight, those in the pews, those in the halls, those on the steps, all those that are before you today, dear Father. Those whose hearts cry out, ‘Father, help me’, even if their lips can’t form the words. Father, search and heal them, deliver them from the wrath of the devil. Give them the strength to endure through their trials, Lord. Reveal yourself to them. We thank you Father, and we honor you, and we give you all the praise and the glory. We ask these things, as we thank you for keeping us another day. As we thank you for your blessings. As we thank you for your grace. As we thank you for your son, and for his sacrifice, and it’s in his precious name, we come to you in Jesus’ name. Let the church say…Amen.
Before Tierra knew it, she replied in agreement with the preacher, a lone tear falling down her face. Feeling it slide down her cheek, she quickly wiped it away. “Don’t you even think about it,” she said and retreated, out of the church before Qu came out.
Just Between Us Girls
Beautiful Page 14