Favor From Above

Chapter 22 ~ Change

Dear Matthew

I figured you might never want to talk about this again (you never want to talk about anything) so I decided to write this to you.   I'm not going to pretend that I know you too well or have all the answers because I don't. I'm sorry about your mother's death. I wish I knew why God let that happen but I don't. All I know is everything happens for a reason and according to his will. That doesn't make what's happening good or any less painful but it's always part of his divine plan. I never knew your mother but I gathered that she was a strong Christian. There's something I want you to ask yourself. Where your mother is, what does she remember the most, the pain she went through or the joy she had in her life? Does she blame God for what happened? Would she love seeing you carry the weight of her death around like that? Matt, I'm sure your mom died a happy woman still rooted in her faith. If that's still not enough can you please try and do me a favor. Please forgive God. Forgiveness is not for the other person, its for you. I'm always available to talk.

With love

Lily quickly scratched that part out and rephrased.

Your crazy deal partner

Lily

Lily sighed. She didn't have the right words to say to Matthew. She knew nothing could make him feel better. He lost a parent. That was without a doubt very painful and devastating. Lily folded the letter ready to be delivered to Matthew the next day. It was only then that she noticed how spotless the living room was. Matthew did a great job tidying it up. Lily yawned and realised how truly tired she was. Flicking the lights off, she went to rest her complaining body.

                             ★★★★★★★

By the time Lizzy woke up, Lily had already bathed and was fixing breakfast for herself.

"Hey." Lizzy said as she entered the kitchen.

"Hi. Did you sleep well?" Lily asked.

"Fantastic actually. I didn't even hear my early morning alarm. I was supoosed to wake up and clean but it seems like you already did that."

"All I did was do the dishes. Matthew cleaned the room. He-"

Lizzy interrupted her.

"Matthew? The Matthew?" Lizzy asked in shock.

"Yup. "

"Wow. He's not all bad after all. What was he doing here?"

"He never left."

"Hmmm what did he want?"

"Nothing really. We just talked."

"At night? You're closer than I thought."

This was one conversation that Lily didn't want to have. She just wanted the morning to go as normally as possible.

"I guess so. You should go bath. We mustn't run late."

Lizzy looked at her with shock.

"Oh my word. You like him don't you?"

Lily avoided the question.

"Lizzy, go bath.

"You like him, admit it." Lizzy forced.

"No."

"Admit it!"

Lizzy was just not giving up. She kept on taunting her.

"I do like him okay? Happy now?" Lily shouted.

Lizzy smiled, clearly happy at the revelation.

"I knew it. You two are good together. I didn't have a good start with him but I know he is good behind all that. We were alone, in a park, he could have done anything Lily but he didn't."

"I know."

"Let me go take that bath then. Figure your things out."

Lily couldn't believe it. She just admitted.....to liking Matthew. I told you. Shut up. Feelings for Matthew were something she didn't want. They wouldn't go anywhere. It was best she shut them out and continue with her life. Her phone beeped.

Ice cream after church? Andrew.

Lily smiled. Andrew truly wasted no time.

Sure.

Great. I'll come pick you up.

Lily almost forgot that they didn't go to the same church. Time was not on her side so she went and dressed up. It was Sunday after all. Her favorite day of the week.

                           ★★★★★★★

Matthew drove to church with hesitance. He wasn't really looking forward to seeing Lily after everything that happened the previous night. Matthew finally realized that all he had to do was win the deal and Lily would be his. Matthew got to church and was surprised to get a few 'hi's and 'hello's from several people. Matthew looked for Lily. There was no way he was going to let the past incident repeat itself. He was going to sit with her so no other guys would get any ideas.

The greeting between them was brief. Something was a little off with Lily he noticed but he was a man of few words that morning. It was when they had to take holy communion that everything changed.

Pastor Justin was talking.

"We do this once every three months as a family as we remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. Paul says whilst we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Jesus reconciled us with God and we now have a relationship with God because of his sacrifice. We were all delivered from different things. I from drug addiction, another from depression and another from sickness. I don't know what Jesus has done for you but we are all here together, to say thank you Lord for your sacrifice. This bread represents the body of Jesus which was broken for us. Lets take it together." Everybody put the cracker in their mouth. "This represents the blood of Jesus which cleanses us of all sin."

After drinking everyone was saying a prayer but Matthew was overwhelmed. Something was happening and he could feel it. Matthew quickly went outside. There was no one in sight. Matthew didn't know what was happening but he felt like sitting down, and he did. Tears flowed from his eyes. He was now sobbing, crying everything out. Everything he had been holding inside came out with those tears. Afterwards he felt refreshed and more peaceful than ever. Matthew realized he had just experienced the power of God. Matthew returned to the church and found that the preaching was almost done. It was time for the altar call.

"If you are there and you haven't said yes to Jesus this is your chance. You may be standing there and something is happening inside of you. After a long time you might be finally be feeling that everything is going to be okay. That's God right there. All you have to do is say yes to him. Please come forward if you are one such person. This is the best decision you will ever make."

Matthew blocked everything out. There was no way he would go there. Going there meant losing Lily and he wasn't ready for that. Once they were outside when the service ended, Lily gave him the letter.

"What is this?"

"Go on and read it. Oh Andrew is here, I have to go."

Matthew watched her get into his car and drive off. He'd just lost, again.

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Guess what? IT'S RAINING CHAPTERS TODAY so keep your Wattpad close. I started this book on the 7th of June. It's been exactly two months and I'm celebrating. Come celebrate with me. See you soon.

Yours truly

ThatChristianKid

07/08/2017