The next day I showed John around. We went by the river, since we lived so close to it, I was allowed to go there often. I liked to just sit and listen to the sounds of nature. John skipped a rock across the water. "There's a story in the Bible from when jesus walked the earth, he came to his disciples, they were on a boat, and Jesus walked on the water. They were afraid he was a ghost so they said, 'if your really jesus then let us walk with you' so Peter, one of his disciples, walked out, his faith was failing so he began to sink, then jesus helped him back up, we have to keep our faith strong so when we go through trials and hard times we won't sink, or we won't draw back from God" John said, he certainly knew the word of God! "He actually walked on the water? That's amazing!" I said
"yep! He really did!"
I walked closer to the water, my petticoat got stuck in some thistles. I yanked it, and my beautiful new dress ripped. John said I fretted too much about it, and he referred to another passage in the Bible where Jesus told people not to worry about their clothes. I told John about the Christmas ball coming up in about 3 weeks. I hoped, I really hoped he'd ask me to go. He didn't say anything. "You will come, won't you?" I asked.
"Sure, I'll come"
I was happy he was coming. Deep down, I really liked John. I began thinking about my future, I was to be wed within a few years, to an older man. It was an arranged marriage. I hated the thought of it. I hated my father for it also. I wanted to marry a guy like John, who loved Jesus. I hoped that soon id get out of that pickle, somehow. My thoughts quickly changed when John said something that sent me on a mission. "You should by a bible, or do you have one?"
A smile spread across my face!
"Come with me!" I said as I began to run back towards the house. I brought John into my father's library. It was huge. It took us hours of searching and searching, and we still couldn't find a single Bible. Papa finally walked in and asked what we were doing. "Oh, me and John were just--"
"John and I, Lillian. Not Me and John." He said, correcting my not-always-proper-English.
"Sorry Papa"
"Now what were you looking for?" He said with a smile.
"We were looking for a Bible Papa"
"A bible, hmm." He said, going over to the "b" section of the alphabetically organized books. He, too, could not find a single Bible.
"Sorry Lily, but it doesn't look like we have one." He said as he walked back to me and John.
"Well, thanks papa, I guess we will have to visit the church."
"Lily, why do you want to read the Bible so badly?" He said with a chuckle.
I smiled and said "because it changed my life! Papa, Jesus came to die for our sins, he paid the sacrifice, and we can live free in him!"
"It's this boy who told you this?" He said, pointing to John. I couldn't believe my father's rudeness, to say that, right in front of him!
"Papa" I said "yes, John and I are friends now, John has told me all about Jesus and---"
"John, maybe you should keep your shenanigans to yourself, my lily doesn't need this religious stuff clouding her young mind!"
"Papa!" I said, I began to get angry.
"How old are you, John?" Papa asked.
"15, sir. If you wish I do not speak to lily anymore I will respect your wishes, but I just wanted to share with her what God has done for me"
My eyes were big as cherries when John said that! I couldn't believe him! Magen he didn't really want to be my friend after all! But he gave me a knowing look, and i knew everything would be ok.
"Papa, John only meant well, but you still can't take Jesus from me! This is what I needed, Jesus has filled me!"
"Stay out of this, Lily!" Father said, standing up.
"Yes, John, i ask you to stay away from Lily. She doesn't need a young man in her life, she is to marry soon."
"Papa! John has no intention of marrying me, we are very good friends! I am----"
"Be quiet!" Papa fussed.
"No papa! I have to say this! I am not marrying that old man! You can't make me and nobody can! I'll run away if I have to!"
"Oh yes you will Lillian Annalise"
"No papa, I won't!"
I darted out the door, I grabbed my savings in my porcelain piggy bank, and I left. I ran, and I cried my eyes out. I went to the river. I never wanted to speak to my father again. As far as I could see he just about had ruined my life!
YOU ARE READING
Lillian's Journey to Jesus
Historische fictieLillian is a rich girl who lives in a Louisiana sugar cane plantation in the mid 1800's. When unexpected guests arrive, her life changes forever.