Heaven on Earth

Part 23

The choir sung again while they gave their offerings and announcements were made, then service ended. People were interacting and discussing the message that was preached

"How did you find the message today... Kirk I felt like Pastor Dan was actually talking to me...that's how the Holy Spirit does his things, he uses the voice we are sure to listen to, to communicate to us...exactly, that reminds me, I saw you also standing up when Pastor told us to let go of people in our hearts...yes I stood up...do you care to share who you had to forgive...my parents, my biological mum especially for abandoning me, I always felt I wasn't good enough, that I was a mistake because she couldn't take care of me until I met Jesus but I realised during today's service that I still hadn't fully forgiven her...so you have now, right?...sure, I have. What about you?...yes I have too, I forgave my family and also Richard...that's wonderful, that's the best decision, now we have to look for him so you could tell him...yeah"

They went out of the auditorium and were looking for Richard but they didn't find him anywhere near, they were getting ready to leave when Jane told them a gentleman was looking for Rose

"Did he say his name?...no, he only said he's in your class but was late today or so... that could be Richard, where was he headed?... he went towards the refreshment centre, you could check that place...let's hurry before he leaves". Rose, together with Jane, Kirk and Margaret rushed to the refreshment centre and they saw him there. Jane and Margaret went to grab some drinks leaving Kirk and Rose, they approached him while he gave her a pep talk

"Rose you can do this okay, I'm right beside you, just remember what Pastor said, he needs to know you forgave him...okay, thank you"

"Hello Bro.Richard...Hello Sis.Rose, I was looking for you after church, I'm sorry I couldn't join the class today, I came in late so I just joined the main service...It's fine. I've also been looking for you, I have something to tell you...oh ok...can we sit and talk? if you're not in a hurry...yes please...erhmm so I knew you before you came to my class as a first timer...oh really? where?...some months ago, you weren't looking this neat, in fact you were very drunk that day, so I thought you were just a drunkard...okay, I was, before I gave my life to Christ, now I'm in a rehabilitation centre to cater for that...oh ok. I was going for a walk that day and I by passed you in an uncompleted building, you started coming to me so I run when I noticed what was happening" at this point Kirk noticed she was hesitating, she didn't want to continue reliving the experience, he placed his hands on hers and urged her to continue, having received encouragement she continued

"So you chased me and took advantage of me...I did what? Oh my God_ I remember always hanging around that building but I was always dead drunk, I don't remember doing that to someone...I figured, since you didn't remember me when you joined my class, it was hard for me to accept that you were born again after what you did to me but after what Pastor said today, I decided to forgive you...I'm so sorry Sis.Rose, I know that I cannot change what I did but I'm truly sorry for causing you so much pain, I'm a changed person now and I asked God to forgive me for everything I ever did...I have truly forgiven you Bro.Richard, from my heart, please get up and wipe your tears...thank you so much"

She helped him to his feet and hugged him then she told him she loved him with the love of the Lord, this made him sob even more, he couldn't just believe that not only had she forgiven him but she loved him as well
"Thank you Sis.Rose, thank you so much. You don't know what this means to me...you're welcome, just make sure you serve the Lord with your whole life...I will, I will, thank you...okay, we will be leaving now, have a great week ahead...thank you, you too"

"I'm so proud of you Rose, you're really a strong woman, for you to have looked him in the eye and told him you forgave him, is really inspiring to me...I couldn't have faced him without the Holy Spirit and you beside me...Pastor's instruction today also came with the ability to carry it out...yes you're right, thank you Kirk, really, thank you...you're welcome dear" he called her 'dear' for the first time, she noticed the change but kept it to herself and was screaming on the inside. They joined the others and explained everything to them, Margaret wasn't aware but now she was like a sister as well so she got to know about it. They all drove in Kirk's car and he took them home.

The two ladies decided to have a movie night since the following day was a holiday so they could sleep late. Rose got the popcorn and ice cream from a store nearby while Jane just chose the movie. It was a christian movie of course, kind of sentimental and the two just slept off in the couch when the movie was almost ended. Rose was the first to wake up and she noticed the television was still on "we must have slept off while watching the movie, how typical" she was speaking to herself. She just lay on the couch again and something came to her mind, for the first time in a long time, she didn't have a nightmare about the rape incident, she was so happy that she called Kirk out of excitement, not checking to see if the time was convenient for him. He picked up surprisingly but his voice sounded groggy and asked if she was okay

"Oh yes I am, I'm so sorry for waking you up...it's fine, what is it?...I didn't have the nightmares today, I slept soundly... that's great, see what forgiveness does to you, I'm glad to know it's over... yes I'm glad too, okay I'll leave you to sleep, have a sound rest...okay, you too, we'll catch up tomorrow...okay, bye".

Hi lovely people, so it's getting bigger and bigger. Rose finally forgives Richard but will she let someone else in?...let's see where this leads. Keep sharing, commenting and voting, I love you dearly.