Forever Changed

Chapter 17

I walked in and saw the crowd. The whole church was filled. There were lights everywhere, but it was the lights that were colored. There was decorations here and there. I was amazed I never expected this crowd. That's when I started to get nervous. Taylor was beside me. "Whoa. Never expected this." she said.

"Me either." I said. There were people mingling and talking. Some I knew from school the rest I didn't know them. Pastor Michael came up to me. He looked good. He had on a dark blue button down shirt and black slacks. "Hey Sarah we need you go into the rooms on the side of the stage. Alex is waiting for you in the left one. We are about to start in ten minutes and your the second one to go. Okay?" he said.

"Okay." I said and grabbed Taylor and left to go to the room. I opened the door and there were about seven people there including Alex. He was siting in a corner with his head bowed down. We walked up to Alex he looked up. His face lit up when he saw me and so did mine. "Hey." I said.

"Hey." he said.

"I'm still here, you know?" she said.

"I didn't forget." I said. "Ok so today is the day." I took a deep breath and remembered all that I had done since Kayla died. I remember when we hung out at the diner, at the little house, and she was there for me. I was just to blind to see that. I could see that she really did have Jesus in her heart. She wanted to be the best daughter to God and I think, no wait I know that she was the best that she could be. This is for God and for her.

"All right guys we are about to start. Now do all of you know when your gonna go on and if you don't tell me. Okay so I want to pray so that you may all have a good show and remember who this is for." said pastor Michael. "All right so I want everyone to bow your head and close your eyes. Dear heavenly Father, Lord I want ask that you let this night be how you want it to be. You are our author. This night is for your glory not for our glory. Father God I ask that you let the message speak to the people. I the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen. All right have fun everybody." then he left. I started to get nervous. We heard pastor Michael on stage. "Ok everyone we are gonna start but before we do let's have a word of prayer. Dear heavenly Father, I would like to thank you for bringing all of these people here to learn about you. That they can see why we do this. Please let the message touch their hearts. In the names of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen. All right I would like to present to you guys our worship group." that's when several people in our room open the door to the stage and walked out. Now there are only three people here which is just us. We are here alone.

"Ok I have to pee." I said.

"Your just nervous." said Taylor.

"Aren't you?" I asked.

"Oh yeah, but I don't show it. On the outside I'm calm but on the inside I'm freaking out." she said.

"It's ok we'll do good. With God on our side nothing will go wrong. Remember who this is for." said Alex.

"This is for God and for Kayla." I said. "I have to say something."

"What?" said Taylor and Alex.

"Thank you." I said

"For what?" said Alex.

"For being there for me. For doing this. For helping me get through my sister death. For helping me find my way and giving me the courage to do this. I guess what I'm saying is you guys showed me what a true friend is." I said.

"Ok your gonna make me cry." said Taylor as she fans herself. Then the worship group comes from the door.

"All right guys it's your turn." said a Hailey.

"Ok it's time." I said. We walked through the door and I saw the lights on the ceiling shining down on me. Alex went to the piano and Taylor grabbed her guitar. I go to the microphone stand. I can't see anybody because of the lights, but I know their there.

"Hey guys my name is Sarah. The girl on the guitar is Taylor and the guy on the piano is Alex. I'm gonna sing to you but before I do I feel like I have to say this. Some of you may know me and know who I used to be. I'm not that person anymore. I'm sorry for any pain I have caused to anybody. Some of you may know what I have been through and some don't. The song that I'm about to sing to you was originally written by my sister Kayla, but she didn't finish it so Alex and I finished it for her. My sister Kayla was amazing, she is the person that you go to when you need help, but I was too stupid to go to her. I had so much pride that I thought I didn't need her. I was wrong. She's dead I was there when she died. I blamed myself for not doing more, I also blamed God for not preventing this from happening. I hated God." tears started to fall down. This was painful. "I met Alex and he helped me and I surrendered my life to God. Then Taylor and I started to become friends and now she's here. I'm so great full to have them in my life. This song I'm gonna sing is called Forever Changed. Hope you guys like it." Alex started with the piano, then Taylor joined him with the guitar. Then I stared to sing.

I sang with everything I had. I sang and felt a presence. I knew that God was there and he won't ever leave me. There was a peace that I couldn't describe and I felt loved. Nothing will stop me from praising God. I closed my eyes and raised my hands up in the air. Tears fall, but it wasn't sad tears. They were tears of happiness. I smiled and felt like I was on cloud nine.

I finished singing and there was a standing ovation. My smile grew and I looked up. I wished she was here. "I love you Kayla. I love you Jesus." I blew a kiss at the ceiling and then looked at Taylor and smiled. I looked at Alex and smiled. I looked at the audience and took a bow. I knew this was what Kayla wanted and this won't stop. I will sing for God for he has done everything for me.

"All right class I need esays at my desk at the end of class, but if anybody would want to share what they wrote can come up." said Mr. Thompson. I raises my hand. "Ok Miss. Jenkins."

I went up and spoke. "Where do I see myself in ten years? I don't know. I saw myself with a husband, a good job, and with my sister here. Most of it will come true, but my sister won't be here. I don't know where I'll be to be honest. Your life can change in a blink of an eye. I trust God that he has a good future for me. So I don't need to worry. Everything will fall into place when I have Jesus in my heart. I just got to be patient. Thank you." I said and went back to my desk. I had a smile on my face. Nothing will ever bring me down. This fire inside me will keep burning and nobody will let it die down. I'm the new Sarah Jenkins and I will not go back to who I was.