| C H A P T E R : O N E |
After breakfast, I proceeded to get dressed up for today's church service. I was looking forward to this day since I’m bringing along a friend. It took some time persuading him to come, but it was worth it. Finally after three long months he decided to come to the church services again. He did many sinful things since he was the school player. Every girl in the school wanted him because of his appearance, his appealing ways, and popularity, even the guys took advantage of that by suggesting they had some interaction. After all sometimes it's about who you know rather then what makes you special. One time he broke down under pressure in the hallway because I kept asking him to go to church just to go to church with me, was that too much to ask? I was extremely mortified seeing that he raised his voice in the halls causing everyone to stare at us. I was so embarrassed, but it really made me think ... Was I being too pushy? This was of course how my nickname 'Jesus Freak' started. It was everyone’s way of saying that all I talked about was God. I wasn't trying to force Caden into believing that there is a God, but I was just trying to understand why he didn't want to get to know 'em?
For three months, I kept pursuing Caden and tried to find ways of expressing that God was truly someone you would want to know. I even tried talking about what he did for me in my life worth testifying, that I hadn’t thought anyone else could do. It all started with the conversations Caden and I had. It always seemed that he was looking at the girls across the hallways considering that he didn’t glance my way when I was speaking to him. I expected my story to be like 'Jesus Calming the Storm', when the disciples were terrified, when the wind and waves obeyed him, but nothing ever comes easy without prayer. Many days and nights I prayed for him; because if I pray hard enough, and long enough then my prayer will be heard. Even though it took a while, God graciously answered my prayer.
I was just going to enter the church when all the sudden I see him, wearing a blue tuxedo shirt, navy tie, pants, and those black church shoes I bought for him. His light brown hair was brushed back, and his bright green eyes were wandering around, looking for someone. I realized he must be looking for me. Waving my hand around, his eyes finally met up with mine as he walked in my direction. I was aware of how I accomplished I felt accomplishing one of the greatest things in the world. I mean, even if I only brought one person closer to Christ, it was worth it!
"What was the change of heart?" I asked, gesturing him to sit next to me once we were both inside the church.
"Things weren't going as I planned, many of the things that I do, doesn’t ….” He trailed off, thinking of the right words to say. “I thought...that if I tried this, perhaps things will be looking up for me," he explained with his eyes full of sincerity. I contentedly smiled at this, he was being brave.
"I'm happy that you decided to come. God loves you, and if you come with an open heart and mind, anything is possible." I replied tenderly and we both faced the front of the room as the pastor stepped onto the stand.
In a few minutes chuch will end and since today was the first Sunday of the month, the pastor would call people up so he may pray with them. Though my eyes were closed, I could sense him getting up beside me. I opened my eyes to see Caden with a group of people kneeling down before the pastor in front of the church. I smiled, feeling proud of him. I would also keep him in my prayers because I may have vision him becoming a man of Christ.
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After church ended, we decided to go to JB's at Ocean Way. It’s a great time of the year to go there, because during the fall season in Florida, it is not hot or cold but windy. Although, the car ride there was awkwardly silent. We would say a few things here and there about school or what we would do for the rest of the evening, but eventually our conversation would fall silent yet again. When we got to the beach, I watched the waves moved in and out on the shore. Luckily it was a low tide today and I enjoyed the pretty view. I took the time to have fun before heading off to the restaurant.
