Rise Up Women Of God!

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

"I am sorry TJ and Cheryl. I misunderstood your reason behind the counselling and prayer. I will be honest. Today has been an eye opener. I honestly do not want to trade places with any of the sick and dying people that I've seen today. I have some things I am trying to work through. I don't know if my story will have a happy ending and I don't know if I can trust like you do."

"Charlie, we have so much more ground to cover. Just the fact that you are actually speaking to us is ground breaking." TJ says and both Charlie and I laugh.

"Yeah about that, I am sorry. I just expected you to be like the others that have come. You know one told me turn to Jesus or burn in hell. I expected you to give up like the others but here we are. Bethany said something to me. She said that Jesus was with me when I had my accident. I love football wanted to go pro. We had scouts come to our school and on the day of the match I got tackled and may back hit the ground hard.

The doctors say I was lucky that I was not paralyzed but I will never be able to play ball again. When Bethany told me that Jesus was with me it made me remember something that had happened on that day. I felt this touch like a feeling that enveloped my entire body and there was this reassuring feeling everything is going to be alright."

"Charlie, from what I understand you come from a Christian home and that your family practices their faith."

"Yes that true."

"So why don't you believe?"

"I just don't." He says and TJ and I share a look.

"This has been a great day. I am so happy that we have made progress. Thank you baby doll." TJ says once we drop off Charlie and head back home.

***

It's Thursday. I'm looking forward to meeting with the ladies and discuss progress and spend time in prayer.

ROSE

Something is happening in my heart and I sing along with the ladies. I open my eyes and see everyone in deep worship. I have been trying to connect with God without really connecting. Today I feel the need to have that long awaited talk with him. I'm not sure where to start.

I try to speak out in prayer but the words catch in my throat. I feel my breathing change and the tears that flow from my eyes. So much I want to say instead I find myself on my knees crying and crying. Is it normal to have this much tears.

In my mind I vision everything I want to tell him and I let the tears flow. I feel his presence surround me and I cry harder. How can he love me when there were times I hated him. How can he give me comforted when I denied him? How he be removing this heaviness when all I gave him was half hearted praises. I don't feel worthy. I don't understand.

I hear his voice reassuring me saying 'Daughter I love you unconditionally, my blood has washed away your sins. You are mine and I am yours. Trust me, let me take away the pain, the hurt and the humiliation.'

I cried harder than before and I pray "Lord please forgive me for it all. I am so sorry. Please take away this hurt and pain. Lord free me and heal me."

I don't know how long I've cried and for how long I had been on my knees. It was like I was having a one on one with Jesus. I feel soft hands on my shoulder and her Cheryl pray for me. I feel the peace of God and I feel so light inside. Everything that had been weighing me down is gone.

It is a really good feeling but the best feeling is being in the presence of God.

We all settle back in our seats.