Lillian's Journey to Jesus

Meet me at the river

For the next few weeks, I had felt completely alone. Alone in my new Christian life. I had no one to encourage me or tell me what to read in the bible. When I ran out of there that day, I went straight to the bookstore in town, and bought the finest bible I could with the little money I had. John and I had exchanged glances a few times over the weeks, but we'd never talked. Somehow, I knew I would be able to talk to John again someday. As I was walking picking October apples in the orchard one day, I decided to slip a note to John, asking him to meet me at the river. The note said

John, I need to ask you something. Meet me at the river at 3:00. Papa won't know, I'll slip out before you.

I seen John working in the fields with papa, his papa, and my brothers. I quickly handed John the note when papa left to bring the harvested crop to the barn. He gave me a look that said "you shouldn't be doing this, you'll get in trouble". One thing I knew about John was that, he wasn't a rule breaker. He was obedient, and that's how I truly wanted to be. But between papa and my siblings, it wasn't always easy. As I walked away from The sugar fields that day, I realized how temporary this world truly is. It's but a vapor. I began to ponder in the scriptures I had just read that morning. I ran to the river, my arms open wide, the wind in my face. I felt the presence of the lord. Truly, I felt closer to God when i was around nature, around the first things he had created. The grass, the stars, the sunlight, the wind, the smell of flowers and the smell of dirt. From which we were created, of dust, we shall return. In that moment, with the wind blowing in my face, and the sunlight reflecting on the water, all I could think of was Jesus, and the plan he had for my life. I felt convicted for having such a sour attitude with my father. It was only 2:00, so I decided to go and apologize to him. I ran through the grass and sticks, my petticoat got stuck and few times on thorns. I quickly ripped it back. By the time I got back to the barn, it was nearly 2:30, and I had only 10 minuets to make my much needed apology. I scanned the red barn for my papa, he didn't appear to be there. "Papa" I called out, placing my right hand on the tall red post which held up the barn doors. I walked around a bit, but still voiding find him. "Papa" I contentedly called out. Suddenly I heard footsteps. It was papa. "Lily" he said
"Papa, I want to say I'm sorry for the way I acted a few weeks ago. I'm sorry. But can we talk about me marrying that old guy? Papa, please try to understand."
He shook his head in disbelief.
"Lillian, you need to understand. Your sisters will be marrying off soon too, it won't be bad" he said, patting his hand on the side of my head twice.
"But papa--"
"Lily..." He said, with a serious look.
I just walked out of the barn. I was surprised to see John, eavesdropping on us. Completely unaware I had seen him, I walked over behind him and said "eavesdropping, huh?"
Startled, he jumped around.
"Thank goodness it's only you" he said, laughing.
"See you at 3" I said as I began walking back to the river.
"I'll be there" he said.
And he sure was. "Your papa doesn't want me to talk to you"
"I know, but we're just friends and we both know that, so I don't see the harm in us being friends and talking when he's not around"
"Well the bible says to obey your parents"
I looked at hi as if he had just betrayed me. John always made a bible Lesson of everything. He never ceased to show his love for God, and that was something I truly admired.
"Then we can't be friends anymore?"
He looked at a ferry boat, sailing over the ever flowing river.
"We can be friends, but we mustn't talk too much and dishonor your father's wishes."
I suddenly felt like I was making too big of a deal of something that didn't seem to matter much to John.
"See the boat" he began "That's how our relationship with God is like. It's like we're in a boat, and things like disobedience, hatred, anger, or any sin, can stop us from rowing down the river of Gods love and grace. Lily, your my friend, always, but I don't want to disrespect your father."
I looked at the boat, pondering what John had just said.
"So, if I disobey my father or let sin run my life, it's like as if I just stopped rowing and went with the flow?"
"Exactly. And God tells us to go the exact opposite way of this world. This world is on the wrong road, and we don't want to have anything to do with its ways, which are leading them to hell"
"I don't want my family to go to hell." I said, staring at the boat.
"Then be an example of Christ, don't compromise. See, people in this world go off of their feelings too much, they just go with whatever they feel. As christians, we are to go with what the Holy Spirit tells us, not our mere human feelings"
"Your right John, it's just not always easy."
"It's not, but God says obedience is better than sacrifice" he said, turning his back to the river and taking a few steps back towards the sugar fields. I joined him, as we leisurely walked back. By the time we decided to leave, it was about 3:30.
"Goodbye John" I said.
He just smiled and walked away.