One Giant Step for a Black Girl Praying to God in a Cubicle

Chapter 7: God works in mysterious ways

Nandi and Jisoo eventually walked into the church and made their way down the aisle. They decided to sit in the fifth row. It was not too close to the front nor too far at the back. It was just perfect. Jisoo had sat on the left hand side of Nandi and some guy sat on her right. Nandi had decided to pray silently to thank God for another lovely Sunday when her prayer was disturbed by a cellphone ringing next to her. The person sitting next to Nandi quickly whipped their cellphone out and put it on silent. Nandi told God in her silent prayer she was annoyed and wanted to whack the guy with her bible but that was not nice - especially in the house of the Lord. She calmed herself down and finished her prayer.

The service started.

"Good morning, everyone. I greet you in the name of our Beloved Saviour Jesus Christ. Welcome and be blessed," The pastor was a Korean man in his mid-forties. He wore a gentle smile, "please, could you all stand up and greet your neighbour."

Everyone got up and started greeting each other. Nandi looked at Jisoo and they cracked up. They knew each other but greeted again for the fun of it. Nandi then greeted the people in front of her and then the people at the back.

The pastor, as everyone was still greeting each other said, "greet everyone you see. God wants us to be kindly affectionate with one another and show care. It is a beautiful day today and God can work wonders in your life. You do not know what He has in store for you or the people He might bring into your life. Who knows? Maybe God has sent someone in your life and you are greeting them now. Don't miss out on that blessing. Grab it. Greet each other. Make someone smile today or laugh,".

People felt more encouraged to greet each other. Nandi turned to her right full of the encouragement from the pastor. She looked at the person next to her and her jaw nearly dropped. She was facing Yugyeom from GOT7. and to top that off, he was wearing the same clothes as the guy from the train - minus the shades. By this time, their hands had stretched out to greet each other and their smiles immediately turned to just clenching teeth. Their hands paused in midair and Yugyeom didn't blink. A few people around noticed the awkwardness but assumed it was just because they didn't know each other so they laughed it off.

The pastor from the front saw it too and said on the mike, "God is good. Grab your neighbours hand and welcome them. God works in mysterious ways! Tell your neighbour it's good to see you, my friend!" the pastor winked at the audience. Nandi extended her hand some more to greet and Yugyeom slapped her hand away. She stood there in shock. "Lord," Nandi prayed silently, "please help me to not whack your child. Please, Lord". Yugyeom narrowed his eyes, "Good morning," he said coldly.

"morning." Nandi mumbled and sat down. She once again felted defeated.

"God works in mysterious ways," chuckled the pastor. "welcome once again, everyone. Take a seat, thank you."

The sermon began. Nandi was uncomfortable the entire time. her neck was stiff too. She could only look to her left at Jisoo but never to her right. She thought Yugyeom would think she is looking at him or might think she wants him or something. But one thing Nandi was sure about, Monday would be awkward. Her heartrate increased when she thought of what had happened last night. Rene had said she must fake it on Monday. Rene was no prophet. But how did she know things would be awkward? Her encounter with Yugyeom on the train had happened that morning. So Rene couldn't have known about it. So why was Rene worried when she saw Yugyeom's picture?

Nandi felt dizzy as she listened to the sermon. She was keeping up with what the pastor was saying but she was also worried about Monday.

Suddenly Nandi heard a bible verse from the pastor, " I will read from Isaiah chapter 40 verse 31: