Be Still

The Goodness of the Lord

Previously on

" Amen," we finished, not before praying over Jack. We hugged and I felt amazing and at peace. No more anger now that I knew that God has and will always have control over any situation.

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" I'm so happy for you man," he says with a genuine smile before looking at the time.
" Oh it's 8:25! Hey, um, do you have a ride home," he asks as we stand up.
" Um.. I."
" He does," a voice calls interrupting me,
" I can take him home," the voice says belonging to Kara.
" Oh, uh, are you sure," Pastor Walt asks leaving me stunned at Kara's offer.
" Yeah, he lives around the corner from me," she replies with keys in hand. She had a leather backpack with her that she didn't have before. 
" Do I get a say in this," I ask when I finally find the words to say.
" Nope, not really," she says and Pastor Walt just shrugs.
" Hey, its a free ride man."
" Okay," I say with a shrug knowing it was 8:30, and I didn't really have any other choice. Plus she was headed the same way, and it might be a good time to try and apologize to her.
We walk out of the room and into the hall.
" Thanks for the talk," I say to Pastor Walk as we shake and bring it in for a hug.
" Alright you have a good night,"He says then disappears into his office, leaving Kara and I alone.
" You to," we both call back. I turn back with a grimace, this car ride is going to be a nightmare, but it maybe a way for me to apologize.
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"So... um.. thanks for driving me home," I say after a long period of awkward silence. My fingers with a mind of their own began tapping the bottom of the seat. She takes a right.
" No problem," she says her eyes focusing on the road. We sit quietly in an awkward silence before I decide to break it. 
" Um, I, uh got my heart right with Jesus," I say with a smile on my face.
" That's great," she says looking at me as we came upon a red light," I'm really happy for you."
" Thank you. I am to," I finish oddly.  I am to, really Joshua! I thought to myself.

"So, " I begin as she looks over at me," I know I've been a jerk to you over the years," kind of finishing my statement there.
" Yes," her tone asking me to continue.
" That's why I want to apologize," I explain.
" Okay," she relays to deaf ears as I begin to speak again, afraid that I would receive backlash and wouldn't be able to say anything.
" Now, before you say anything, just give me a- wait what?"
" I said okay," she says.
" Wait, you're going to let me apologize," I asked in shock.
" Yeah, Im waiting for that apology right about now," she says pretending to look at a watch on her wrist. My mouth gaped open and closed. Open and close.Open and close.
I wasn't expecting to get this far what do I say.

" Im waiting," she says.

Man up,dude!  Lord, give me the words to say!

" Okay," I start once I recover from shock," I wanted to apologize for every single messed up thing I have ever done to you.But mostly I'm sorry for doing you when I thought I had better friends, sorry for the pain I caused you. I did it just for the sake of popularity, and I was a mega jerk to you. I was wrong and I'll find a way to make it up to you," I say facing her with sincerity dripping from my voice.
Surprisingly, I got my whole speech out before the light turned green. On the next light she finally responded to my apology.
" I forgive you," she says, while looking me in the eyes.
" What, really," I ask, almost like I was hit by an electric current, shock fazed me once more.

" Yes, " she says with a slight chuckle, " I forgive you, I've seen how much you have changed over these past week.I see how sorry you are, and yes the stuff you did was wrong, but that's in the past. What I've learned is that Jesus forgives everything and pretty much forgets what happened in the past. Since, He does that, I should strive to do the same. So, I forgive you," she finishes as we turn the corner. Leaving me stunned as I revel in one how amazing God is and two how good a friend Kara was.