Love Thy Neighbor ~ Part 1

Remember Vacation Bible School?

~Time Skip~
Shaka: "I don't know, Jade. We've been lying to Mom, lying to our class, and now you want us to lie in front of the entire church?"
Y/n: "I'm pretty sure that's a HUGE sin."
Shaka: "Man, I feel like a politician."
Jade: "We're not lying."
Y/n: "Then what are we doing?"
Jade: "We're creating new avenues for success."
Y/n: "Yeah."
Y/n,Shaka: "By lying!"
We hear the doorknob rattle.
Shaka: "Did you hear that?"
He runs down to make sure nobody's there. He comes back up.
Shaka: "All clear."
Jade: "Guys, stop being so scared. We'll be fine. Remember 'No weapon formed against me shall prosper.' Hmm. The Bible has some cool sayings."
Shaka: "I know. It's pretty inspirational."
Y/n: "Maybe one day, we'll really learn it."
It was silent for a moment. Then we all start laughing.
Jade: "I can't believe we just said that."
They come sit next to me and we start taking pictures with the belt.
~The Next Day~
I can walk better today. It doesn't matter anymore because Cocoa found out. We're sitting in church now.
M'Dear: "Church, I'd like to introduce to you to the new undisputed Bible-verse champion, my granddaughter Jade."
She has the belt on over her outfit. She stands up and goes to the front of the church.
M'Dear: "We thought it would be fun to have a rematch. Amen?"
All: "Amen!"
M'Dear: "Turn to your neighbor and say, 'Neighbor'."
Shaka turns to me.
All: "Neighbor."
M'Dear: " 'Let's watch Jade shine.' "
All: "Let's watch Jade shine."
M'Dear: "Oh. Good luck, sweet girl."
They hug each other.
Jade: "Thank you."
M'Dear: "Oh. You're not gonna need this."
She takes out the headphone. I look at Shaka worried.
M'Dear: "Okay."
Shaka and I slide down slowly in the seat as M'Dear pulls out the first word.
M'Dear: " 'Truth' This is one of my favorites."
All: "Amen."
I think she's doing this on purpose.
M'Dear: " 'Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' "
??: "All right, all right."
M'Dear: "Your turn."
Jade laughs nervously.
Jade: " 'God so loved the world..' Woo!"
M'Dear jumps and her hat falls off.
Jade: "Now that's the truth y'all. That's the truth."
Elvis: "She got you on that one, Sister Amelia."
M'Dear: "Yes she did. Pick another."
Phew.
Jade chooses another.
Jade: "Honoring my elders. I honor you M'Dear."
She says bowing her head.
M'Dear: "Oh, thank you. But can you give us an actual verse with that?"
Jade: " 'Jesus wept...for God, that the father...my cup runneth over. Amazing Grace.' Jesus save me."
Lord have mercy what did she do?
M'Dear: "Meet Him halfway."
She looks at M'Dear and sighs.
Jade: "Church...I have a confession to make."
M'Dear: "Yes, she does. Speak, child. Speak."
Jade: "Moving to Columbus...hasn't been easy."
Cocoa: "Well!"
Jade: "My whole life has been turned upside down."
Choir: "🎶Upside down🎶"
Music starts playing.
Jade: "Yes. I said upside down."
She says motioning them to stand up.
Choir: "🎶Upside Down🎶"
M'Dear's mouth dropped.
Jade: "Upside down?"
Choir: "🎶Upside down🎶"
I look at Shaka.
Y/n: "I guess Jade's feeling herself."
He shrugs.
Jade: "I've made some mistakes...but- but anybody here who hasn't made a mistake, cast the first rock!"
M'Dear: "Stone!"
Ava: "Oh, we know what she meant."
Elvis stood up.
Elvis: "Let Him use you, Jade."
M'Dear: "Sit down, Elvis."
He sat back down.
Jade: "I cheated. I didn't earn this belt."
She gives the belt to M'Dear.
Jade: "I let the Devil get me off my path, but I rebuke that demon right now!"
She puts her hands up and starts jumping and shaking her head.
Jade: "I rebuke him! Woo!"
Ami: "Rebuke that demon, sister. Rebuke him!"
All: "Rebuke him!"
Jade: "I know, I know the Lord has forgiven me. But... what about you, M'Dear?"
She looks at her. Moz stands up.
Moz: "Forgive my wayward child!"
Elvis stood up.
Elvis: "Yeah! Hug your grandbaby!"
She stands up and hugs Jade. Then they start playing faster music and everyone stands up clapping to it.
Choir: "🎶Praise the Lord🎶"
Jade: "That hurts M'Dear."
M'Dear: "I know."
~Time Skip~
We walk up to the porch.
M'Dear: "🎶His voice, Upside down.🎶"
Ami: "That was a powerful word you had today, Jade. Powerful word."
Cocoa: "It's a shame your grandpa's out of town and missed it. Maybe you've got a calling."
I sit down and Shaka puts his arms around my neck behind me.
Jade: "Mm, I don't know about all that. I don't even get why we have to memorize Bible verses."
M'Dear: "Ooh, I used to say the very same thing to my grandmother."
Mazzi: "They had Bibles back then?"
M'Dear: "Boy, hush. I know you kids think I'm strict with all the rules and the chores and Bible school, but these are the things that prepare you for life."
Moz: "She's right. One of the reasons I've been so successful is because I'm very disciplined, thanks to M'Dear."
Jade: "I don't like it...but I get it."
M'Dear: "Good. So after you clean the bathrooms, you and your little accomplices...can memorize the Lord's Prayer, the Apostle's Creed, and the Ten Commandments by next Friday."
Shaka: "Mom? Dad?"
Cocoa: "Don't Mom me. I'm gonna let this happen because A, you need it, and B, I got a hair appointment