The Girl Named California

1 - Daydreaming

"Nathan, are you listening?" My best friend Matt Jones hissed at me. 

 I shook my head. "Sorry, what?" 

"Dude, you have to listen to the message. David's not going to like it when he asks you a question and you don't know the answer because you were daydreaming again." 

 "I'm not daydreaming." 

Matt shook his head at me and turn his attention back to David, or youth leader. 

It was a Saturday night in April, around seven-thirty. Easter Sunday was tomorrow. As a volunteer for the church services, Easter Sunday was a big deal. There'd be more people, more baptisms, more of everything. I had a lot of things to do to prepare for the service, and that's pretty much what I was thinking about when Matt reminded me that David was still talking. 

David McLaughlin was a young, passionate twenty-four-year-old man who'd been our youth group leader for a few years now. He was a pretty nice guy, with a young pretty wife and a toddler daughter. He was a good family friend, so I knew him well. He liked being the youth leader and giving small sermons, and I had no doubt he'd do it for years to come. 

But he wasn't the biggest fan of people not paying attention. 

I forced myself to listen in on his message. 

"Jesus died for you and me. Not just you. For everybody. Including all the people out there who may not know Jesus, or the bullies at school. He died on the cross so that they have hope for eternal life. We all must remember that this Easter. Love our neighbors as ourselves." 

He nodded solemnly at the road of students. "This is one of the hardest lessons we all face. Even we adults struggle with it, especially with the people who hurt us. But Jesus said it very clearly - love our neighbors, including our enemies, as we love ourselves. Or else, we will not see the kingdom of God. One day we-" 

That's when I zoned out again.

Being a volunteer and member of the church put a lot of responsibility on me. I volunteered for pretty much everything that has to do with the church, like stocking up the canisters of sweet tea, answering questions any newcomers had, keeping the carpet in the sanctuary vacuumed, occasionally helping with the children's service if a leader couldn't make it, etc. And as I mentioned, Easter Sunday was huge for us. It was a chance for people to see how great United was and if they liked it, they'd become permanent members. It was the best chance for new members - next to Christmas, of course. I had a lot of things to check up on before heading home tonight. 

All these thoughts ran through my head. I should make sure the Welcome Tables are set up so new people can learn about us. I wonder how many new families will come. I wonder if I'll make a new friend. I think I'll make sure the gallons of tea are in the fridge so I can easily put them in the canisters to set out for everyone. What time should I arrive here tomorrow morning? 

"Nathan, did you hear me?" 

Uh oh. 

I looked up to find David's and everyone else's eyes on me. David's face was kind but stern. 

Matt sucked in his breath. "Busted. . ."  

"Sorry, sir," I gulped. "Could you please repeat that?" 

 Some of the students giggled, but I ignored them. 

"I said, Mr. Payne, that you have had some experience in bringing people your age and older to Christ. Can you please share that with us?" 

"Like. . .one example, or. . ." 

"Yes, one is fine."  

So I proceeded to tell them about one time last winter where I told a forty-something-year-old man about God and he ended up becoming a Christian. My mind wasn't really on it, though. I kept worrying about tomorrow. 

David nodded when I'd finished. "Thank you, Nathan. Let this story be an example and an inspiration to you all. Now, I'm not saying you should all be like Nathan. You should all be like Jesus. You all should know what WWJD means; 'what would Jesus do.' Keep that in mind throughout the week, and throughout your entire lives." 

He smiled. "You are now dismissed. Have a great night, everyone." 

Matt and I stood up with everyone else. The loud chatter immediately rose, and we looked at each other and smiled. This was our chance to find out what the drama was this week at their schools. We did this every week, and you'd be surprised how much we were able to find out in just five minutes. 

But apparently David had other plans. 

"Nathan, can I talk to you for a minute?" 

"Goner," Matt whispered in my ear. 

"Shut up, Matt," I told him. We walked over to where he was standing. "I'm sorry that I wasn't paying attention when you asked me the question, sir." 

David put his hand on my shoulder. "I know you are. You have a lot on your mind right now. You were thinking about the service tomorrow, I presume?" 

"Yes, sir, I was." 

"Don't worry, Nathan, I'm not going to reprimand you. I'm here to ask if I can do anything to help." 

I looked at him in surprise. "Thank you. But we're fine for now, thanks for the offer. We have plenty of people volunteering tomorrow." 

He nodded. "You are a responsible young man, Nathan. I wish you the best for tomorrow." 

"Me too." 

He walked away. 

Matt looked at me funny. "I was not expecting that." 

Me neither," I agreed. "I thought he'd grill me for sure." 

Seeing how the room was now empty, I nudged him. "Now come on. I have to check and make sure everything's in place for tomorrow." 

He followed me as I walked out of the youth group room and into the halls to the lobby. I looked inside the fridge in the kitchen. Yep, stocked with sweet tea. I moved back out to the lobby, Matt behind me

"You think everything is ready?" He asked . 

"I hope so," I told him. 

"How many are you expecting will come?" 

"We estimated from a hundred to a hundred-fifty. A nice -sized crowd." 

"Think we'll meet any new youth?" 

I shook my head. "Who knows? Maybe." 

He suddenly grins. "Think we'll meet any new girls, Nate? You've been single long enough." 

"Shut up, Matt." 

And he does. 

But secretly, I was wondering the same thing. 

I guessed only time would tell.