Where We Stand

I. The Prayer

It didn't seem hard for Lily Isles to run away. She'd thought it to be impossible since she'd failed countless times before.
This time was different.
Her father had left the house two hours prior while intoxicated, her mother was asleep in bed, and the house was silent.
Lily studied the house one last time and then looked up to the ceiling and said,"I am free God. Thank you," and proceeded out the door.
She impressively managed to fit a lot into her small school bag for a person who's about to live somewhere else.
Lily didn't know where she would settle after Ohio, but she was willing to find out with God's help.

Two days later, she found herself down in New Orleans, Louisiana.
"It doesn't seem so bad," she thought.
She appeared to like the atmosphere.
Everyone seemed to be friendly and the town didn't appear so threatening.
After all, it wasn't night time.
"Do you need some help Miss,?" asked an old man walking over from his gas pump.
"Yes, actually. Do you know where I can find a decent apartment around here?"
The old man couldn't help but laugh.
"Honey, decent would be expensive down here, and you don't look like you can afford decent," he said.
Even though Lily didn't enjoy hearing the old man's comment, she knew in a way he was right.
Her 90's Chevrolet truck was beat up and her clothes were worn out from not changing them in two days.
Lily kept on a nice face and responded,"You're very right sir."
"Ok, listen, by what I see, you're young to be coming here all alone. Am I right?," he said setting his hand against the roof of her truck.
For a moment she didn't say anything and tried to think of what to say.
"If you don't mind, I rather not discuss my situation. I don't who you are and quite frankly, it's none of your business."
"You're right, it's not," the old man apologized.
After he went back over to pumping gas into his car, Lily got out her truck and went to do the same to hers.
The old man didn't intend on bothering her again but couldn't help but wanting to do something for her.
"Lord, take over my mouth, otherwise I'm just going to make a fool out of myself again," he mumbled to himself as he waited for Lily to be done putting gas in her car.
"I don't mean to add more to your troubles honey, but can I ask you just one question?"
"Ask away," she said pulling the gas pump out of her vehicle.
"I go to a church up the street. It ain't far from here and it's across from East Jefferson Hospital. I'm about to head over for a Bible Study. Until you can get on your feet and find a job and all, I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you stay there a while," he suggested.
Lily appeared a little hesitant at first and turned to look at her truck and then at her wrinkled plaid shirt and holy jeans.
The old man saw what was going on.
"Don't worry about your clothes or the little you have packed. No one's gonna judge you," he assured.
"Look, I appreciate the thought, but I don't feel like receiving this kind of attention," she said kindly.
The old man sighed and placed his hands on his hips.
"Then come live with me."
"Sir, I don't know you."
"Honey, I'm exactly like this plus a million. I'm seventy four years old, incapable of being considered a stranger," he laughed.
"What are you then?," she said folding her arms.
"A senior citizen."
Lily couldn't help but laugh, which thankfully broke the tension coming from her.
"I'll make you a deal old man: Let me go to the Bible Study at your church, look at the atmosphere, how people respond to you, and then I'll make my decision. Agreed?," she said putting out her hand for him to shake on.
"Agreed," he smiled and shook,"Now you just follow behind me and I'll get you there."

Lily followed the old man and arrived at the church.
"News Orleans First-Seventh Day Adventist Church?," she said reacting to it's sign.
"Alright, not everyone's here yet so we'll just go on over to Wendy's across the street," the old man said getting out of his truck.
"Good, because I'm starving!," said Lily now focused on her stomach.

The old man was kind enough to treat Lily to whatever she wanted to order.
He had already made his decision on getting a whopper and some fries while she was still deciding.
"And what would you like baby?," asked the lady from behind the register.
"Um, I'll get the same thing, but with a chocolate malt please," she said.
"Ok, your total will be twelve dollars sir," said the lady.
"Stupid economy," he shook his head.
The lady laughed and handed him back his credit card and receipt and then proceeded with "Your food will be ready in just a minute."
Both Lily and the old man went to go find a place to sit down.

Now facing the view of the church, Lily went back to looking at it's sign again.
"Something the matter?," the old man asked.
"The title of your church, it's weird," she said honestly.
"There was a time I said the same thing to my wife fifty years ago," he laughed.
"What?," she asked.
"Fifty plus years ago, Elledy , the love of my life, introduced me to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Not this one, but one that used to be out in Hammond~you don't know where that is. But that's not answering your question. (Short Pause.)
We call ourselves Seventh-Day Adventists because the seventh day was the day God rested when He made our earth," the old man said trying to keep the subject brief enough for her to understand.
"Saturday, the Sabbath right? Kind of like what the Jews believe?," she added.
"Yes, exactly like that, except the only difference is is we believe the Old and the New Testament," he said.

Nothing had ever sounded more clearer to Lily ever in her life.
"How did I miss that?," she wondered.
"I'll live with you," she shot out.
"That soon?," he laughed.
"If this isn't a sign from God, then I don't know why I'm here. The name's Lily."
"Henry Doyle, but everyone calls me Doug," he smiled.
"Nice to meet you Doug."