GRACEUNLI

MITED
©TEMI
DAYOOLALEYE

Al
lri
ght
sreser
ved.Nopar
toft
hisbookmayber
epr
oduced,
orused,
wi
thoutt
heper
missi
onoft
heaut
hor
.
APPRECI
ATI
ON

Igi
vepr
aises,
honour
,gl
oryandador
ati
ont
otheLor
dmosthi
ghwhoi
n
Hi
slov
ehascal
l
edmet
obeHi
sthr
oughf
ait
hinHi
sson,
JesusChr
ist
,fort
hesal
vat
ion
ofmysoul
andHi
sri
ght
eousnesst
hatIr
ecei
ved,
fort
hei
ndwel
l
ingofHi
sspi
ri
tandt
he
under
standi
ngofHi
swor
dandt
hemani
fest
ati
onofHi
sgi
ft
s.
It
hankACCFOAU(
All
Chr
ist
ianCampusFel
l
owshi
p,Obaf
emi
Awol
owo
Uni
ver
sit
y),
mybi
blest
udycoor
dinat
orasanunder
graduat
e,Past
orSol
omon,
Brot
her
Opey
emi
Olat
ejuandmyf
ri
end,
Sil
eol
awhoal
lreadt
hebookandmademeseemor
eof
t
her
eal
i
tyoft
heWor
dandwher
ecor
rect
ionsneededt
obemade.
 “
Ther
efor
ebei
ngj
ust
if
iedbyf
ait
h,wehav
epeacewi
thGodt
hroughourLor
d
JesusChr
ist
.”
-Romans5:
1
“
ButGodcommendet
hHi
slov
etowar
dsus,
int
hat
,whi
l
ewewer
eyetsi
nner
s,
Chr
istdi
edf
orus.
”
-Romans5:
8
“
ForChr
isti
stheendoft
hel
awf
orr
ight
eousnesst
oev
ery
onet
hatbel
i
evet
h.”
-Romans10:
4
“
Ther
efor
eifanymanbei
nChr
ist
,hei
sanewcr
eat
ure:
oldt
hingsar
epassed
away
;behol
d,al
lthi
ngsar
ebecomenew.
Andal
lthi
ngsar
eofGod,
whohat
hreconci
l
edust
oHi
msel
fbyJesusChr
istand
hat
hgi
venust
hemi
nist
ryofr
econci
l
iat
ion;
Towi
t,t
hatGodwasi
nChr
ist
,reconci
l
ingt
hewor
ldunt
ohi
msel
fnoti
mput
ing
t
hei
rtr
espassesunt
othem;
andhat
hcommi
tt
edunt
oust
hewor
dofr
econci
l
iat
ion.
Nowt
henwear
eambassador
sforChr
ist
,ast
houghGoddi
dbeseechy
oubyus:
wepr
ayy
oui
nChr
ist
’sst
ead,
bey
ereconci
l
edt
oGod.
ForHehat
hmadeHi
mtobesi
nforus,
whoknewnosi
n;t
hatwemi
ghtbemade
t
her
ight
eousnessofGodi
nHi
m.”
-2ndCor
int
hians5:
17-21
“
Whosewi
l
liti
sthatal
lsor
tsofpeopl
eshoul
dbesav
edandcomet
oanaccur
ate
knowl
edgeoft
rut
h.”
-1stTi
mot
hy2:
5

"
Fort
hegr
aceofGodt
hatbr
ingssal
vat
ionhasappear
edt
oal
lmen,
"
-Ti
tus2:
11
"
Forbygr
acear
eyousav
edt
hroughf
ait
h;andt
hatnotofy
our
sel
f:i
tis
t
hegi
ftofGod.
"
-Ephesi
ans2:
8
ONE

Sadewokeupar
oundsev
eni
nthemor
ningandi
mmedi
atel
yknewshewasl
atef
or
Sundayser
vicewhi
chwoul
dst
artbyei
ghtt
hir
tyi
nthemor
ning.I
twoul
dhav
ehel
pedi
f
shehadf
etchedwat
erbef
oregoi
ngt
obedbutshewassot
ir
edbyt
het
imeshegoti
nto
t
hehost
elandhadgonest
rai
ghtt
obed.Sher
ebukedher
sel
fforr
eadi
ngov
erni
ghtona
Sat
urdayandnotget
ti
ngbackt
othehost
elear
ly.
Shecoul
dn’
thel
pitasshehadat
estt
owr
it
eonMondayandshehadn’
tpr
epar
ed
f
ori
tdur
ingt
heweekduet
oherext
ra-
cur
ri
cul
aract
ivi
ti
es.Shehi
ssedatt
hel
ect
urerf
or
j
ustannounci
ngt
het
estonFr
idayaf
tert
ell
i
ngt
hem t
heymi
ghtnotwr
it
eone.
I
thadcausedanupr
oari
nthecl
assasmostofhercl
assmat
eshadnotopened
t
hei
rnot
essi
ncet
hebegi
nni
ngoft
hesemest
eraf
terhehadt
oldt
hem t
heymi
ghtnot
wr
it
etest
sexceptt
owr
it
edownnot
esi
nthecl
ass.Somedi
dn'
tev
enhav
enot
est
o
begi
nwi
th.
Hi
ssi
ngather
sel
fforsl
eepi
ngt
hroughheral
arm,
shegotupf
rom t
hebed,
di
scar
dedhersel
f-
pit
eousexcuses,
wentt
othet
apt
ofet
chandknewshewasdonef
or.
Thel
i
neofbucket
swasast
houghpeopl
ewer
equeui
ngt
ogetf
reedol
l
arsandt
hewat
er
wascomi
ngf
rom t
het
apasi
fitwast
ir
ed.
Att
hisr
ate,
Imi
ghtendupnotgoi
ngt
ochur
ch.Shet
houghtt
oher
sel
f.
I
twasnotherf
ir
stt
imemi
ssi
ngser
vicesandi
tmi
ghtnotbeherl
astduet
o
v
ari
ousexcusesshecoul
dn’
tev
enexpl
aint
oher
sel
f.Somet
imes,
shej
ustdi
dn’
tfeel
li
ke
goi
ngoutonSat
urday
sandSunday
s,butsher
eal
l
ywant
edt
ogot
oday
.Lucki
l
yforher
,
shemetherf
ri
endandcour
semat
e,Shar
onatt
het
apl
uggi
ngt
wobucket
stoherr
oom
andqui
ckl
ywentt
omeether
.
“
Sade,
baby
..
.”Shar
oncooed.
Fr
owni
ngf
ordr
amat
icef
fect
,Sadewhi
ned.“
Ineedwat
er,
Shar
on.Iwi
l
lrepl
acei
t
whenIcomebackf
rom chur
ch.
”
“
Sur
e,nopr
obl
em.
”Shar
onagr
eed.
Sadet
ookt
hebucketofwat
erf
rom herandwasr
eadyf
orser
vicebyni
ne.
Dashi
ngoutoft
her
oom,
shesai
dgoodby
etoherr
oommat
es.Shedi
dn’
thav
eto
wor
ryaboutt
raf
fi
catal
lassheat
tendedacampusf
ell
owshi
pandt
hev
enuewasonl
ya
t
en-
minut
ewal
ktoherhost
el.
Shegott
ochur
chwhi
l
ethechoi
rwasst
il
ll
eadi
ngt
hepr
aiseandwor
shi
psessi
on.
Wel
l
,notbad,
shet
houghtt
oher
sel
f.Shehadonl
ymi
ssedpr
e-ser
viceandshecoul
dn’
t
r
emembert
hel
astt
imeshehadpar
takeni
ntheexer
cise.
Sadewoul
dn’
texact
lycal
lher f‘
sel spi
ri
koko’
assheat
tendedchur
chonl
y
becauseshewasr
aisedt
oat
tendonSunday
s,t
houghsher
epeat
edl
yconf
essedChr
ist
asherLor
dandper
sonal
sav
iour
.Shel
ovedHi
m,bel
i
evedi
nHi
m buty
ethadquest
ions
andscar
edofherf
ait
h,andshef
eltatt
imest
hatshewasnothol
ycompar
edt
othe
past
ors,
evangel
i
stsandal
l
.
Shecondemnedher
sel
fal
way
sandi
twasasi
fthatshamewaswhatbr
oughther
t
oGodev
ery
timeasshewasscar
edofendi
ngi
nhel
lbutshef
eltl
i
keshewasgoi
ngt
o
endupt
her
enomat
terwhatshedi
d.Shecoul
dn’
tacceptsomeoft
hedoct
ri
nesand
r
ules,
andknewshecoul
dn’
tli
vel
i
ket
hat
.Shef
oundi
thar
dtoacceptt
hatt
heGodt
hey
sai
dlov
edt
hem wasal
sot
heonewhocr
it
ici
zedt
hem andbel
i
evedHehadt
her
ightt
o
becauset
heyneededt
oent
er'
Hisheav
en'
.
I
“f
eresiwaoga,
ojuohunt
ial
erol
o..
.”Shewasbr
oughtoutofherr
ever
ieby
t
hechoi
r.Joi
ningi
nthewor
shi
p—shehadal
way
slov
edwor
shi
p—shef
orgother
musi
ngs.
Af
tert
hepr
ayer
s,hy
mnsandchoi
rmi
nist
rat
ionshadbeendone,
Past
orI
bikunl
e,
t
hepr
esi
dentoft
hef
ell
owshi
pwentupt
otheal
tar
.Hel
edt
hem al
li
npr
ayer
sashe
encour
agedt
hem t
ost
andandspeaki
ntongues.Smi
l
ingatt
hememor
yofherf
ir
st
t
imespeaki
ngi
ntongues,
shest
oodupandpr
ayedwi
tht
hecongr
egat
ionandf
elt
her
sel
f'char
gedup'
.
Past
orI
bikunl
ecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatandl
ookedar
oundt
hecongr
egat
ionbef
ore
speaki
ng.
“
Sal
vat
ioni
ssi
mpl
ytobesav
ed,
right
?”Heaskedi
nar
het
ori
cmannerandsome
oft
hecongr
egat
iongi
ggl
edwhi
l
esomel
i
keSadedi
dn’
treactwonder
ingwhathemeant
.
Hecont
inued.“
Let
’sopenourBi
blest
othebookofRomans1v
erse16andl
et’
s
r
eadt
oget
her
.‘ForIam notashamedoft
hegoodnews;
iti
s,i
nfactGod’
spowerf
or
sal
vat
iont
oever
yonehavi
ngf
ait
h.’
Sal
vat
ionhasbeenmadeav
ail
abl
etoal
lmenbyf
ait
h
i
nChr
istJesusandt
hepr
omi
seofet
erni
tyal
sogi
ven.Hel
ovesus,
Hedi
edand
r
esur
rect
edt
hatwemaybeonewi
thHi
m byspi
ri
t.Byf
ait
handbyaccept
ingHi
s
uncondi
ti
onal
lov
e,wear
emadeaccept
abl
etoHi
m.
Fory
ouwer
eoncel
ostbutnowf
oundandsav
ed.Youar
esav
edbygr
acet
hrough
f
ait
h.Ther
eisal
way
sroom f
ormor
eint
heki
ngdom.I
fyouf
eel
andknowy
ou’
venot
beenr
ightwi
thGod,
donotcondemny
our
sel
fasHehasnotcondemnedy
ou.Just
acceptHi
slov
eandbel
i
evei
nHi
m.1stJohn1v
er s‘
se9say I
fweconf
essoursi
ns,
He
i
sfai
thf
ulandr
ight
eoussoast
ofor
giveusoursi
nsandt
ocl
eanseusf
rom al
l
unr
ight
eousness.
’
Romans10v
erse8t
o10say
s‘Thewor
disnearyou,
inyourownmout
handi
n
yourownhear
t,t
hati
s,t
hewor
doff
ait
hwhi
chwear
epr
eachi
ng.Fori
fyoupubl
i
cly
decl
arewi
thyourownmout
hthatJesusi
sLor
dandexer
cisef
ait
hinyourhear
tthatGod
r
aisedHi
m upf
rom t
hedead,
youwi
l
lbesaved.Forwi
tht
hehear
toneexer
cisesf
ait
h
f
orr
ight
eousnessbutwi
tht
hemout
honemakespubl
i
cdecl
arat
ionf
orsal
vat
ion.
’
Romans5v
erse8say
s‘ButGoddemonst
rat
edHi
slovet
owar
dsusi
nthatwhi
l
e
wewer
eyetsi
nner
s,Chr
istdi
edf
orus.
’Thet
ruenat
ureofGodcanbeseeni
nchapt
er
10ofRomansv
erse21whi
chsay
s‘Al
ldayl
ong,
Ihavespr
eadoutmyhandst
owar
da
di
sobedi
entandobst
inat
epeopl
e.’Hei
sfor
everr
eachi
ngoutt
omanki
nd.
2ndCor
int
hians5v
erse17t
o21say
s‘Ther
efor
eifanyonei
sinuni
onwi
thChr
ist
,
hei
sanewcr
eat
ion,
theol
dthi
ngsar
epassedawayandl
ook,
newt
hingsar
ein
exi
stence.Butal
lthi
ngsar
efr
om Godwhor
econci
l
edust
oHi
msel
fthr
oughChr
istand
gaveust
hemi
nist
ryofr
econci
l
iat
ionnamel
ythatGodwasbymeansofChr
ist
r
econci
l
ingawor
ldt
oHi
msel
fnotcount
ingt
hei
rof
fensesagai
nstt
hem andHe
ent
rust
edt
oust
hemessageoft
her
econci
l
iat
ion.Ther
efor
e,wear
eambassador
s
subst
it
uti
ngf
orChr
istast
houghGodwer
emaki
nganappealt
hroughus.Assubst
it
utes
f
orChr
ist
,webeg:“
Becomer
econci
l
edwi
thGod.
”Theonewhodi
dnotknowsi
nwas
madesi
nforussot
hatbymeansofHi
m wemi
ghtbecomeGod’
sri
ght
eousness.
’
Gal
ati
ans3v
erse26say
s‘Youar
eal
li
nfactsonsofGodt
hroughyourf
ait
hin
Chr
istJesus.
’
Ephesi
ans2v
erse8say
s‘Byt
hisundeser
vedki
ndnessyouhavebeensaved
t
hroughf
ait
handt
hisnotofyourowndoi
ng,
rat
heri
tisGod’
sgi
ft
.’
 Col
ossi
ans1v
erse14say
s‘Bymeansofwhom wehaveourr
eleasebyr
ansom,
t
hef
orgi
venessofoursi
ns.
’
2ndThessal
oni
ans2v
erse13bsay
s‘Becausef
rom t
hebegi
nni
ng,
Godhas
sel
ect
edyouf
orsal
vat
ionbysanct
if
yingyouwi
thHi
sspi
ri
tandbyyourf
ait
hint
he
t
rut
h.’
Hebr
ews10v
erse10say
s‘Byt
hiswi
l
l,wehavebeensanct
if
iedt
hrought
he
of
fer
ingoft
hebodyofJesusChr
istoncef
oral
lti
me.
’Ver
se12say
s‘Butt
hisman
of
fer
edonesacr
if
icef
orsi
nsf
oral
lti
meandsatdownatt
her
ighthandofGod.
’
1stPet
er2v
erse24say
s‘Hehi
msel
fbor
eoursi
nsi
nhi
sownbodyont
hest
ake
sot
hatwemi
ghtdi
etosi
nsandl
i
vet
ori
ght
eousness.Andbyhi
swoundsyouwer
e
heal
ed.
’
Sal
vat
ioni
sforal
l
.Hehadper
fect
edi
toncef
oral
l
.Hehadboughtuswi
thapr
ice,
madeusr
ight
eous,
madeusHi
s,madeusf
ree,
madeuswhol
e,al
lforf
ree.Justbyf
ait
h.
Oncef
oral
lmen,
oncef
oral
lsi
ns,
oncef
oral
lti
me,
nev
err
unni
ngoutofgr
ace,
grace
unl
i
mit
ed,
lov
eunendi
ng.Let
’sr
ejoi
cei
nthi
spl
ace.Gl
ory
!"
TWO

Backi
nherhost
el,
shel
aiddownont
hebedr
umi
nat
ingont
hepast
or’
smessage;
the
f
ir
stmessaget
hatgav
eherhopei
nages,
amessaget
hatdi
dn’
tcondemnandmakeher
cr
yal
lherf
aker
edempt
ioncr
iesbef
oregoi
ngbackt
oherol
dway
swhenshehad
not
hingel
set
ohol
dont
o.Nowshehadsomet
hingt
ohol
dont
o.
Godl
ovesher
,HedoesnotcondemnherandHewant
sher
.Thet
hought
skept
bounci
ngi
nhermi
ndandshesmi
l
edunconsci
ousl
y.
“
Final
l
y,shei
sinl
ove.
”Shar
onsai
dassheent
eredherr
oom andsatdownbesi
de
heronherbed.
“
Youcansayt
hatagai
n,baby
.”Sadescoot
edi
ntomaker
oom f
orher
.
“
Sowhoi
sthel
uckyguy
?”
Sadel
aughedl
oudl
yatt
heexpr
essi
ononherf
ri
end’
sface.I
twasobv
iousshe
washungr
yforgossi
p.Shewast
heonl
yonewhoknewwhyherl
astr
elat
ionshi
pended
andhadbeent
easi
nghert
hatshehopedshef
oundsomeoneel
set
omakei
tupt
oher
.
Shet
houghtshehadf
oundher
sel
fanewboy
fri
end,
li
tt
ledi
dsheknowshef
oundher
sel
f
someonegr
eat
er.
“
Jesus.
”
“
Cutt
hecr
ap,
jhur
.”
“
I'
m ser
ious.Iwast
hinki
ngofser
viceandhowbl
essedIwas.
”
“
I'
m gl
adt
henbutIwoul
dst
il
lhav
elov
edt
ohearaboutaguy
.”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
Hav
eyoudoneDr
.Fol
ari
n’
sassi
gnment
?Abeg,
comeexpl
ain.Inogetam j
are.
”
“
Shar
on,
Iknowy
ouwantmyanswer
s.Youcan’
tfool
me.Iknowy
ouhav
en’
ttr
ied
sol
vi
ngi
tatal
l
.”
“
Youknowmet
oowel
l
.Pl
easegi
vemey
ouranswer
s.”
“
No,
Iwi
l
ltakey
oubyy
ourf
ir
stwor
ds.Comeher
eandl
etmeexpl
ainsot
haty
ou
candoi
tony
ourown.
”
“
Shoul
dIki
l
lyouorki
ssy
our
ightnow?
”
Fei
gni
ngdi
sgust
,Sadescof
fed.“
Ew,
Idon’
tdogi
rl
s.”
 “
Asi
fyoudoboy
stoo.
”Shar
onscof
fedbackather
.
Sadesmackedherhar
dacr
osst
hebackofherhead.“
Naught
ygi
rl
.”
Theyspentt
henextt
wohour
swor
kingont
heassi
gnment
.Theywoul
dhav
e
beendoneear
li
eri
fShar
onhadnotkeptoni
nter
rupt
ingt
het
utor
ial
wit
hherdesi
ret
otel
l
andl
i
stent
ounnecessar
yfemal
echat
ter
.Sadel
aughedandt
ri
edt
oav
oidsomet
hings
t
hatshef
eltwer
etooper
sonal
.
Shar
onwasr
eal
l
yasuckerf
orgossi
p.
“
Hav
eyouseenBl
essi
ngl
atel
y?”Shar
onasked.
“
Am Isupposedt
ohav
e?”Sadeanswer
edbackasi
ndi
ff
erentasshecoul
d.She
r
eal
l
yhopedherf
ri
endwoul
dgett
hesi
gnal
andal
l
owt
hem t
owr
apt
hingsupasshe
hadal
otoft
hingst
odo.Shecoul
dn’
tri
skt
ell
i
ngShar
ont
hatt
hough,
elseshegot
annoy
ed.
“
Don’
tbesar
cast
ic.
”Shar
onf
eignedannoy
ance.
“
No,
Ihav
en’
t.Whati
supwi
thher
,any
way
s?”
Obv
iousl
ypl
easedatt
her
esponse,
Shar
ongear
edupandscoot
edcl
osert
oher
i
nani
nti
mat
eandf
ri
endl
ygest
ure.
“
Shehasanewboy
fri
end.
”
Sadegr
oaned.“
HowcomeIknewt
hatwaswhaty
ouwant
edt
osay
?”
“
Youar
etr
ulyaf
unspoi
l
er.
”
“
Idon’
treal
l
ygett
hebi
gdeal
aboutBl
essi
nghav
ingaboy
fri
endwheny
ouhav
e
y
our
s.”
“
Hav
inganewboy
fri
endmeansshehasbr
okenupwi
thFel
i
x,sot
hatmeansFel
i
x
i
scur
rent
lysi
ngl
e.”
“
Andpr
obabl
yhear
tbr
oken.
”Sader
emar
ked.
“
Don’
tyougeti
tyet
?”Shar
onaskedandl
ookedatherasi
fshewast
hebi
ggest
dummyshehadev
ermet
.
“
Shoul
dIbehappyabouti
t?”
“
You’
veal
way
sli
kedFel
i
xsi
nceourf
reshmanday
s.”Shar
onst
atedasi
fshewas
annoy
edshest
il
lhadt
opoi
ntt
hatoutt
oher
.Somet
imes,
shewor
ri
edSade’
sbr
ainwas
madef
orbooksal
oneandshehadnor
eal
hear
t.
Sadel
aughed.Sher
eal
l
yhadcr
azyf
ri
endswhol
ovedheri
nthei
rownway
s,di
dn’
t
she?
“
Thi
sisourt
hir
dyearandy
oust
il
lthi
nkIl
i
kehi
m?”
“
Youst
il
ldo,
Iseet
hewayy
oul
ookathi
m andl
aughatal
lhesay
s.”
“
Hei
smyf
ri
end,
idi
otandy
es,
Ili
kehi
m butnott
hewayy
out
hink.Iam wayov
er
t
hat
.Mor
eov
er,
hej
ustgotoutofat
hree-
yearr
elat
ionshi
p.Thel
astt
hingIneedi
sbei
ng
ar
eboundgi
rl
fr
iend.
”
“
Sosad,
Ial
readyt
houghtIwoul
dseey
ouhav
eaboy
fri
endi
nmyl
i
fet
ime.
”
Theyl
aughedi
tof
f.“
Crazygi
rl
,yourl
i
fet
imei
sst
il
ll
ongt
oseemegetmar
ri
ed.
”
Shar
onf
eignedshock.“
Youar
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
”
“
Howi
sMi
chael
?”SadeaskedaboutShar
on’
sboy
fri
endi
nanat
temptt
oav
oid
answer
ingt
hequest
ion.
“
Hei
sfi
ne.
”
Wor
ri
edaboutt
heexpr
essi
ononherf
ri
end’
sface,
shewasconcer
nedandasked
mor
eaboutt
her
elat
ionshi
pasi
twasunusual
forShar
ont
otal
kaboutMi
chael
wit
hout
bor
ingherear
sout
.Shenev
erwast
edanoppor
tuni
tyt
ogushabouther‘
l
ovel
y’
boy
fri
end.
“
Aret
het
woofy
ouokay
?”
“
Ithi
nkhei
scheat
ing.
”
“
Whydoy
ousayso?
”
“
Hei
sact
ingof
flat
ely
.Hehar
dlypi
cksmycal
l
s.Ourl
ateni
ghtt
ext
inghas
r
educedandIkeephear
ingr
umor
sabouthowhei
sal
way
swi
thapar
ti
cul
argi
rl
.”
“
Ther
ecoul
dbeanot
herr
eason,
lov
e.Don’
tlett
hataf
fecty
ou.I
fhecheat
sornot
,
don’
thi
ngey
ourhappi
nessoni
t.Youar
etoopr
ett
yandbl
essedt
oagebecauseofa
guy
.”Sadecomf
ort
edherf
ri
endandembr
acedher
.
Sni
ff
li
ng,
Shar
onsmi
l
ed.“
Nev
erknewy
ouhav
ethesesweetwor
dsi
nyou.
”
“
Goat
.”
Theybot
hlaughed.Ev
ent
ual
l
y,Sadehadt
ogi
veShar
onherassi
gnmentanswer
s
asi
twasi
mpossi
blet
oteachShar
onany
thi
ng.Theykeptont
alki
ngt
il
ltheyhadt
o
admi
ttot
hemsel
vest
hatt
het
utor
ial
wasnotgoi
ngt
obepossi
ble.Theybot
hdi
dn’
t
r
emembert
hatSadebor
rowedwat
erf
rom Shar
onandhadt
ofet
chi
tback.
THREE

Thecl
asswasr
owdyasi
tal
way
swasi
fthel
ect
urerwasnoty
etar
ound.Sadepl
ugged
i
nherheadphonesandscr
oll
edt
hroughherpl
ayl
i
stsasshet
ri
edt
ofi
ndasongt
hat
r
eal
l
ybeckonedt
ohermoodsatt
hemoment
.Shewasi
nmusi
cal
bli
sswhenshe
not
icedal
i
ghtt
appi
ngonhershoul
der
.Qui
ckl
yremov
ingherheadphoneandmut
ter
ing
t
hankst
oherseat
mat
e,shecomposedher
sel
ftol
i
stent
othel
ect
ure.
Thecl
asswasl
i
keanyot
herbor
ingcl
assshehadev
erhad.Somet
imes,
she
wi
shedshecoul
djustav
oidgoi
ngf
orsomecl
assesbutt
hebor
ingcl
assest
haty
ou
wi
shedy
oucoul
dav
oidwer
eal
way
stheonewi
thmar
kedat
tendance.
Guesst
hosebor
ingl
ect
urer
sal
soknewnoonewoul
dbot
hercomi
ngi
fthey
di
dn’
templ
oyt
hatmet
hod.
Af
tert
hecl
ass,
sher
ushedt
othecaf
eter
iat
ohav
eaqui
ckbr
eakf
astbef
oreher
nextcl
assi
nthenextt
wohour
s.Asshewasl
eav
ing,
shemetFel
i
xandgav
ehi
m awav
e.
I
gnor
ingt
hef
lut
teri
nherhear
tashest
rol
l
edt
owar
dsher
,shepl
ast
eredaf
akesmi
l
eon
herl
i
psasshewai
tedf
orhi
m.
“
Hey
!”
“
Hi!
”Sher
epl
i
edandcur
sedherv
oicef
orsoundi
ngbr
eat
hless.Shet
houghtshe
wasal
readyov
erhi
m mont
hsaf
terheaskedBl
essi
ngout
.Shehadr
esi
gnedt
ofat
eand
t
heyhadbeenbestoff
ri
ends.Shehadal
sohadaboy
fri
endwhom shel
ovedatt
hat
t
ime.
Shecur
sedhi
mforbr
eaki
ngupwi
thher
.
Shebl
amedShar
onf
ort
ell
i
ngherhewassi
ngl
eandr
e-awakeni
ngdeadf
eel
i
ngs.
Shebl
amedhi
mforl
ooki
ngext
raat
tract
ivet
hismor
ning.
Shebl
amedher
sel
ffort
hinki
nghel
ookedext
raat
tr
act
ive.
I
twasf
unnyhowshekeptonbl
ami
ngev
ery
onef
orherownt
roubl
es.
Fel
i
xsmi
l
ed,
obl
i
vioust
oheri
nnert
urmoi
l
.“Ar
eyouf
reet
oday
?”
“
Why
?”Sadeaskeddef
ensi
vel
y.HadShar
ont
oldhi
m sheoncehadacr
ushon
hi
m?Wel
l
,herf
ri
endwoul
dn’
tdot
hatt
oher
.Woul
dshe?Sher
eal
l
yhadt
ogetagr
ipon
heremot
ions.
“
Iam hav
ingapar
tyt
oni
ghtandIwoul
dli
key
out
obet
her
e.”
Sadel
ookedathi
m -f
orwhatseemedl
i
keanet
erni
ty-i
nconf
usi
on.Whatki
ndof
guyt
hrewapar
tyi
nlesst
hanaweekt
hathi
sgi
rl
fr
iendbr
okeupwi
thhi
m?
“
Iwoul
dseehowt
hedaygoesandgetbackt
oyou.
”
Fel
i
xlaughed.“
Bossl
ady
,ri
ght
?”
“
Aladyhast
omakei
tknownshehasal
i
fet
oo.
”Shewi
nked.
Real
l
y,wher
edi
dthatcomef
rom?Sher
eal
l
ydi
dn’
twantt
ogeti
ntoar
elat
ionshi
p
wi
thhi
m.Thepr
essur
efr
om al
lthecoupl
esar
oundherwasget
ti
ngt
oher
.Shehadt
o
best
rongorel
seshewoul
dlandher
sel
fint
roubl
esshedi
dn’
twant
.Sheal
ready
pr
omi
sedher
sel
fnott
odat
eaf
ri
endaf
terherf
ail
edr
elat
ionshi
p.I
twasnousedat
inga
f
ri
endandl
osi
ngbot
hther
elat
ionshi
pandt
hef
ri
endshi
pwhent
heyev
ent
ual
l
ybr
eakup.
“
Ihav
ecl
asses.
”Shesai
dandl
efthur
ri
edl
yev
enbef
orecompl
eti
ngher
st
atement
.
FOUR

Badebr
ushedhi
steet
h,st
ari
ngbl
ankl
yatt
hemi
rr
ori
nfr
ontofhi
mthathewasn’
t
act
ual
l
ylooki
ngat
.Hehadj
ustanhourt
orushoutf
orcl
assesbutheknewwhatt
he
bi
ggerpr
obl
em was.
Hehadf
if
teenmi
nut
est
ocomeupwi
thapl
anagai
ntoev
adet
hecul
ti
sts
pr
essur
inghi
mtoj
oint
hem.Heneededagoodpl
ant
oev
adet
hem ast
heyal
way
s
f
oundhi
m,nomat
terhowmuchhet
ri
edt
ohi
de.Hewi
shedt
heydi
dn’
tfi
ndhi
mtoday
.
Notagai
n.
Hewi
shedhecoul
dtel
lhi
spar
ent
sbuthi
sadopt
edpar
ent
sdi
dn’
treal
l
ycar
e
abouthi
m andt
heywoul
dhav
etol
dhi
m hewasl
yi
ngj
ustt
ogetat
tent
ion.
Hewal
kedpastt
hedean’
sof
fi
ceandhi
dbehi
ndapi
l
larbef
orehewentbackout
.
Hedeci
dedt
oactasi
fhej
ustcameoutoft
hedean’
sof
fi
ce.Hesawsomeonequi
ckl
y
r
etr
eat
ingandt
houghthi
msel
fsaf
eatl
eastf
orsomehour
s.
“
Hey
,man.
”Ahandwaspl
acedonhi
sshoul
der
.
Hej
umpedi
nfr
ightandr
elaxedwhenhesawwhoi
twas.“
Michael
,i
t’
sbeenl
ong
Isawy
ou.
”
“
Yeah,
Ihadt
ost
ayawayf
orsomer
eason.
”
“
Atl
eastt
ell
yourgi
rl
fr
iendy
ouri
ntent
ions.Shehasbeenonmycaseal
lweek.
”
“
Iwi
l
lseeherl
ater
.”Mi
chael
sai
ddi
smi
ssi
vel
y.
“
Youar
enotbr
eaki
ngupwi
thher
,ar
eyou?
”
“
Ijustdon’
tfeel
any
thi
ngany
mor
e.”
“
Soy
ousai
dwi
tht
hel
astt
wo.Iam ev
ensur
pri
sedShar
onl
ast
edt
hisl
ong.
”
“
Iser
iousl
ydon’
tknowwhyIkeepmeet
ingt
hewr
onggi
rl
s.Idon’
tknowwhati
s
wr
ongwi
tht
hem.
”
“
Idon’
tthi
nki
tist
hegi
rl
shav
ingt
hepr
obl
ems.Ibel
i
evet
hepr
obl
em i
syou.
”
“
Somet
imesIwonderwhywear
est
il
lfr
iends.Youhar
dlysuppor
tme.
”Mi
chael
hi
ssedandst
ormedof
f.
“
Wear
est
il
lfr
iendsbecausey
ouknowy
ouneedmet
otel
lyouwhaty
oudon’
t
wantt
ohearbutr
eal
l
yneedt
ohear
.”
 Badesi
ghed.Het
ri
edr
emember
ingt
hegoodol
dday
swhenMi
chael
waseasyt
o
getal
ongwi
th.Theywer
efr
eshmenandt
heyhadcl
i
ckedi
mmedi
atel
yatt
her
egi
str
ati
on
of
fi
ce.Theyhadhadf
unt
oget
her
.
Unt
ilTheo.Abr
idgewentbet
weent
hem whenMi
chael
metTheo.Butsomehow
whenev
erher
ani
ntot
roubl
edoi
ngwhat
everGodknowswi
thTheo,
heal
way
sranback
t
ohi
m.Li
kear
ock.
Hewasal
way
sthesaneonegi
vi
ngal
ltheadv
ice.Hewast
hecool
oneabl
eto
mai
ntai
nadet
achedandunaf
fect
edf
acade.Butsomet
imes,
heal
sowant
edt
ocr
yout
t
osomeonet
ogui
dehi
m,someonehecant
akecomf
ortf
rom,
someonewhowoul
dbe
wi
l
li
ngt
odoal
lthewor
ryf
orhi
m.
Butal
lhegotwashi
msel
f.
FI
VE

Shar
oncoul
dn’
tjustunder
standwhatwasgoi
ngonwi
thMi
chael
andshecoul
dn’
tshake
of
fthef
eel
i
ngt
hatshewasaboutt
olosehi
m.Despi
teal
lwhatSadet
oldher
,shef
elt
despai
ratt
het
houghtofi
t.Shewasn’
tsur
eherhear
twoul
dbeabl
etosur
viv
ethe
hear
tbr
eakori
fshewasst
rongenoughasSadesai
dshecoul
dbe.
Sadehadal
way
sbeenst
rongandseemi
ngl
yhear
tl
ess.
Mi
chael
hadcal
l
edt
omeether
.Hesai
dhewant
edt
oseeher
.May
bet
hatmeant
hemi
ssedher
.Atl
easthedi
dn’
tsayt
heyneededt
otal
k.
Wi
thapoundi
nghear
tandsweat
ingbr
ows,
shef
ini
shedhermake-
upandl
eftt
he
r
oom asshemadeherwayt
oRosi
e’
schi
ckencaf
é.
Shespot
tedhi
m assoonassheent
eredt
hecaf
é.Hewassi
tt
ingatt
hecor
ner
t
heyl
ovedt
osi
ttoget
her
.Smi
l
ingatt
her
esur
facedmemor
ies,
shemadeherwayt
ohi
m.
“
Hey
,baby
…”Shesmi
l
edasshesatbesi
dehi
m assheusedt
o.
Shewat
chedi
nshockashemov
edandsati
nthechai
ropposi
teher
.
“
Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?”
“
Iwantt
oseey
ourf
ace.Whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
oeat
?”Hegav
eheral
opsi
dedgr
in.
Shegi
ggl
edsl
i
ght
ly.“
Adr
inki
sokayf
orme.Iwashav
ingl
unchwheny
oucal
l
ed
me.
”
Shewat
chedandt
ri
edt
oobser
veanychangei
nMi
chael
thatmi
ghtgi
vehera
cl
ueofwhatt
oexpectbuthewasj
ustnor
mal
toher
.
“
Sor
ryIwentMI
Aony
oual
lthr
oughl
astweek.
”
“
Car
etot
ell
mewhy
?”Shar
onsmi
l
edasshet
ookasi
pofherdr
ink.
“
Iwast
ryi
ngt
odeci
dewhet
herIwantt
ocont
inuewi
tht
hisr
elat
ionshi
p.”
“
Andwhatdi
dyoudeci ”Pl
de? easedon’
tsayno…pl
ease,
please.
Shar
ont
ri
edt
ocal
m hermi
nd.SheknewwhatSadewoul
dhav
esai
difshewas
her
e.Shewoul
dhav
etol
dhert
ofor
getaboutMi
chael
,thatf
orhi
mtobedeci
ding
whet
herhest
il
lwant
edheraf
teral
lthesemont
hs,
hewasdonewi
thher
.
ButSadecoul
dbewr
ong.Sadedi
dn’
tknowwhatsheknew.Shehadr
ead
somewher
einamagazi
net
hatsomet
imesaguyneededspacet
othi
nkandr
ati
onal
i
ze.
I
twascompl
etel
ynor
mal
.
“
Idon’
twantt
ohur
tyou,
Shar
on.
”
Oh,
thankGod.Hewasn’
tbr
eaki
ngupwi
thher
.
“
Weneedt
obr
eakup,
Shar
on.
”
Hewasbr
eaki
ngupwi
thher
,af
teral
l
.
Thedr
inkwentt
hewr
ongwayandshecoughedout
.Tr
yingt
omaskt
hebui
l
ding
t
ear
sinherey
esasar
esul
toft
hecough,
shesput
ter
ed.“
Why
?”
“
Iti
sfort
hebest
,gi
rl
.Iwoul
dn’
twantt
owast
eyourt
imeasIcan’
tseeanyf
utur
e
anyl
onger
.”
“
Whathappenedt
othef
utur
eyousawl
asty
ear
?”Shesneer
ed.
“
GuessIwantanot
heronenow.
”
Shewasangr
y.“
Youbast
ard.
”
“
Idi
dn’
tseet
hiscomi
ng.
”
“
Howdi
dyouseei
t?ThatIwasgoi
ngt
ohugy
ouorpr
obabl
ygi
vey
ouasend-
off
ki
ssandt
hanky
ouf
ort
hememor
ieswehadt
oget
her
?”
“
Ist
il
lhopedwecanbef
ri
ends.
”
“
Ihopesot
oo.
”
“
Real
l
y?”
“
No,
youmor
on.I
sitbecauseoft
hatgi
rly
ouhav
ebeenf
oll
owi
ngal
lar
ound
campus?
”
“
Youhav
ebeenst
alki
ngme?
”Hesoundedangr
y.
“
Iti
sasmal
lwor
ld,
Michael
.Asmal
lwor
ld.
”
Shel
eftt
hecaf
ébef
oresheembar
rassedher
sel
fbyl
ett
ingoutt
hedam.
SI
X

Sadef
eltbadaboutdr
aggi
ngShar
onwi
thherdespi
tet
hesi
tuat
ionshewasi
n.Shehad
ent
eredherf
ri
end’
sroom t
otal
konl
ytomeethercr
ying.Shehadnoi
deahowt
o
consol
eherbecauseshef
eltgui
l
tyf
ornotpr
epar
ingShar
on’
shear
t.Shewast
heone
whogav
eherhopet
hatshemi
ghtbewor
ryi
ngf
ornot
hing.
Fal
sehope.Shegav
eShar
onf
alsehopeandnow,
herpuni
shmentwaswat
chi
ng
hercr
yandherownhear
twasbr
eaki
ngf
rom wat
chi
nghercr
y.
Suddenl
y,Shar
onhaddr
iedhert
ear
sandst
art
eddr
essi
ngup.
“
Wher
edoy
out
hinky
ouar
egoi
ng,
youngl
ady
?”
“
Fel
i
xinv
itedy
out
oapar
ty.Iknowy
ouar
enotgoi
ngt
ogowi
thoutmeso.
..
”
“
Youar
ecr
azy
.”Sadel
aughed.
“
Imi
ghtbehear
tbr
okenbutIwon’
tbesel
fi
shaswel
landspoi
lmyf
ri
end’
schance
atl
ove.
”
“
I’
m gl
adMi
chael
didn’
tent
ir
elyr
uiny
oui
fyoust
il
lcanpl
aymat
chmakeri
nthi
s
st
ateofy
our
s.”
“
Got
oyourr
oom andgetdr
essed.
”
Andsot
heywer
eont
hei
rwayt
oFel
i
x’spar
tywi
thSadef
eel
i
ngst
upi
dforl
ett
ing
Shar
ont
alkheri
ntoi
tandShar
ont
ryi
ngt
opr
etendshewasal
lri
ght
.
Thepar
tywasnot
hingl
i
keSadeexpect
ed.Shecoul
dseeguy
sandl
adi
esal
ready
r
ovi
ngt
oget
heri
nsomeoddl
ywei
rdpat
ter
nint
hedi
mlyl
i
troom Fel
i
xrent
edf
ort
he
par
ty.
Chai
rsandt
abl
eswer
ear
rangedi
nci
rcul
arpat
ter
nst
ofor
m anov
eral
lbi
gci
rcl
e
y
etst
il
lfor
minganai
sl
einbet
weeni
neacht
oper
mitpassage.Thest
agewas
beaut
if
ull
ysetwi
thr
oll
i
ngl
i
ght
scast
ingchangi
ngbeaut
if
ulshadesov
eri
t.
Sadewasi
mpr
essedatt
hedesi
gn.Thedi
scj
ockeyt
est
edhi
sbeat
sand
changedmusi
cev
erysecondbutt
hest
udent
swer
enotdet
err
edast
heycont
inued
gr
indi
ngagai
nsteachot
her
.Shescannedt
her
oom f
orFel
i
xoranyknownf
ace.
“
Soy
oucame,
”av
oicechuckl
edbehi
ndher
,st
art
li
ngher
.Shet
urnedt
oseet
he
per
son,
andwasr
eli
evedandner
voust
oseeFel
i
x.Hewascasual
l
ydr
essedi
njeansand
ar
edpat
ter
nedshi
rt
.
Shechuckl
edt
oher
sel
f.Theguywasr
eal
l
yasuckerf
orpat
ter
ns.Sheneededt
o
t
akenot
iceoft
hat
.
Oops,
wher
edi
dthatcomef
rom?
“
DoIl
ookf
unny
?”Hel
ookedhur
t.
“
No,
youl
ookgr
eat
.I’
m sogl
adt
oseey
ouact
ual
l
y.I
’
vebeenscanni
ngt
her
oom
f
oranyknownf
acessi
nceShar
onl
eftmet
opar
tyassoonaswegother
e.Iwasj
ust
chuckl
i
ngatat
houghtt
hatj
ustpoppedi
nmyhead.
”Shehat
edher
sel
fforbabbl
i
ngbut
shewasal
lner
vesandhor
mones.
Hedi
dn’
tseem annoy
edatherbabbl
es.I
nfact
,heseemedt
oenj
oyt
hem ashe
gav
eherar
eli
evedsmi
l
ewhi
chwasf
oll
owedbyanaught
ygr
in.
“
IfIdi
dn’
tknowbet
ter
,Iwoul
dhav
eswor
nyoul
i
kedme.
”
Shebl
ushed.Hedi
dn’
tknowhowcl
osehecamecl
oset
ofi
ndi
ngt
het
rut
h.
“
Ithoughti
twasgoi
ngt
obeasmal
lpar
ty.
”Shechangedt
heconv
ersat
ion.
“
Yeah,
smal
lpar
ty.Apar
tyofj
ustahundr
edpeopl
e.”
“
Wow,
guesssomepeopl
ear
equi
tet
hepopul
arones.
”
Bef
orehecoul
drepl
y,apr
ett
yladywal
kedupt
othem,
slungherar
msar
ound
Fel
i
xandgav
ehi
m aki
sst
hatwentonf
oral
mostf
ivemi
nut
es.Shocked,
Sadecoul
dnot
mov
eherl
egst
owal
kawayandst
oodt
her
easanunwant
edv
iewer
.
“
Baby
,whatwast
hatj
eal
ousydr
amaf
or?Sadei
saf
ri
end.Justaf
ri
end.
”Fel
i
x
r
ebukedt
hel
adybutf
rom t
het
oneofhi
svoi
ce,
hedi
dn’
tmi
ndt
heki
ssandhadn’
tev
en
not
icedshewasst
il
lst
andi
ngt
her
e.
Shemov .Justaf
edaway ri
end.Sheseet
hedandwentout
sidet
ocl
earherbr
ains.
Shehadn’
tsatdownf
orl
ongbef
oreshesawShar
oncr
yingandmov
edt
owar
dsher
f
ri
end.
“
Babe,
arey
ouokay
?”
“
Hebr
oughther
.Hebr
oughtt
hebi
tch.Hebr
oughtt
hegi
rlhedumpedmef
or.
”
Shar
onr
epeat
edami
dstt
ear
swhi
l
eSader
ockedherandl
i
stened.
“
Let
’sgohome,
babe.
”Shesai
daf
terShar
onhadcal
meddown.
“
No,
”Shar
ont
ri
edt
opr
otest
.“WhatofFel
i
x?Don’
tgoonmyaccount
.Icanf
ind
mywayhome.
”
 “
Iti
snopoi
nt,
Shar
on.
”Sadesai
dwi
thascowl
.
Noddi
ngi
nunder
standi
ng,
Shar
onst
oodupandgav
eaweaksmi
l
e.“
Atl
east
,we
st
il
lgotchocol
ateandi
cecr
eam.
”
SEVEN

Badesatdownont
hebenchatt
hepar
kint
heschool
,l
osti
nhi
sthought
s.Hewas
unawar
eoft
hepeaceandsmi
l
esshar
edbypeopl
e.Hel
ookedbutcoul
dn’
tseeany
thi
ng
exceptt
het
urmoi
li
nhi
shear
t.Hehadaweekt
ogetpr
epar
edf
ort
hei
nit
iat
ionwhet
her
hewant
edi
tornot
.Ter
ror
,thecul
tleaderhadt
oldhi
mthatt
woday
sagowhent
heyr
an
i
ntohi
m.
Hesi
ghedandhel
dhi
sheadi
ndef
eat
.
“
Ifonl
yIhadsomeonet
osav
emef
rom my
sel
f.
”Het
houghtt
ohi
msel
f.
“
Oh,
youdo.
”Ast
rangerspokeupbesi
dehi
m.Theguyseemedol
dert
hanhewas.
Hewasdr
essedi
nashi
rtandapai
roft
ail
oredt
rouser
s.
Badegav
ehi
m aqui
zzi
cal
look.
“
Oh!Youspokeoutl
oud.Idi
dn’
tknowt
hatwassupposedt
obeat
hought
.”
Hedi
dn’
tev
enknowhehadt
houghtoutl
oudunt
ilt
heguyspoke.Hepani
cked.
Hadhebeenspeaki
ngoutl
oudal
lal
ong?Howmuchdi
dtheguyknowabouthi
m?He
di
dn’
tev
enknowwhent
heguysatbesi
dehi
m.Ordi
dhemeethi
m her
e?
Mor
ti
fi
cat
iont
urnedt
oangerandhel
ashedout
.“Youwer
esupposedt
oknow
t
hatwasat
hought
.Woul
dIhav
espokenoutt
oyouwhenIdi
dn’
tev
enknowy
ou?
”
Thest
rangersmi
l
edathi
m.I
twasn’
tasar
cast
icort
easi
ngsmi
l
e.Justgenui
ne.
“
Oh,
Iknewi
twasat
hought
.Ij
ustcoul
dn’
tshutupbecauseoft
hepai
nand
agonyi
nthosewor
ds.
”
“
Youdon’
tknowme.
”Hehi
ssedandmadet
ost
andup.
“
Mynamei
sIbi
kunl
eandIbel
i
evet
hisi
sthepar
twher
eyout
ell
mey
our
s.”The
guysmi
l
ed.
Smi
l
ing,
Bader
elaxed.“
I’
m knownasBade.
”
“
So,
Bade,
ify
ouwi
l
lfor
giv
emycur
iosi
ty,
Ibel
i
evewhatIov
erhear
dtheot
hert
ime
wasacr
yforhel
p.”
“
Youcan’
thel
pme.
”Badesi
ghed.
“
No,
butIknowsomeonewhocanhel
pyou.
”
“
Real
l
y?”
 I
bikunl
enoddedi
nresponse.Badewasex
cit
ed.May
behecoul
dgetoutoft
his
mess,
aft
eral
l
.May
beI
bikunl
eknewsomel
ect
urer
sort
hev
icechancel
l
or.Bet
terst
il
l,
may
beheknewsomeonei
nthear
medf
orces.Hef
oundhi
msel
ftel
l
inghi
m of
ev
ery
thi
ngaboutt
hecul
t,howher
ani
ntot
hem andwasnowpr
essur
edt
ojoi
nthem or
di
e.
I
bikunl
eli
stenedwi
thoutj
udgi
ngoraski
ngquest
ions.Badef
eltoddl
yrel
i
evedas
hepour
edhi
shear
ttoamanwhowasast
rangerf
ewmi
nut
esago.Li
tt
ledi
dheknow
I
bikunl
ewasqui
etnotj
ustbecausehewasl
i
steni
ngbutal
sobecausehewaspr
ayi
ng
f
orhi
m.
“
Sowhendowegett
omeett
hisper
son?
”Badeaskedaf
terhewasdone.
I
gnor
inghi
squest
ion,
Ibi
kunl
easkedhi
m aquest
ionofhi
sown.“
Woul
dyou
comei
fIi
nvi
tedy
out
oaf
ell
owshi
p?”
Badebl
anched.Washeki
ddi
ng?Hej
ustt
oldhi
m ofhi
spr
obl
emswi
thcul
ti
sts
andhewant
edt
oinv
itehi
mtochur
ch.
Todowhatexact
ly?Hecoul
donl
ybl
amehi
msel
ffort
ell
i
ngast
rangerhi
s
pr
obl
emsandnowhewasmaki
ngj
okesofhi
ssi
tuat
ion.
I
bikunl
econt
inued.“
Hav
eyouhear
dofJesus?
”
Badeshr
ugged.“
Iknowheexi
sted.
”
I
bikunl
esmi
l
edsof
tl
y.“
Hest
il
lexi
stsandf
ixespr
obl
em asy
ouhear
dhedi
dthen
whenhewasi
nhumanf
lesh.Iwasn’
tmocki
ngy
ou.Iwasonl
yinv
iti
ngy
oui
ntoa
r
elat
ionshi
pwi
tht
heonl
yper
sonwhocansol
vet
hepr
obl
emsmencan’
tfi
x.
”
Badest
aredatI
bikunl
eforaf
ewsecondsbef
orehef
inal
l
ygav
eanod.
“
Iwi
l
ltr
ytocome.
”
I
bikunl
esmi
l
edbef
oregi
vi
ngBadeapatont
heshoul
der
s.“
Hav
etogonow.I
hav
ecl
asses.Hopet
oseey
oui
nchur
ch,
fri
end.
”
EI
GHT

Sadewal
kedt
othecr
usadegr
ound,
hur
ryi
ngherst
epsasshecheckedherwat
chand
r
eal
i
zedt
hatt
imewasagai
nsther
.Shehadn’
tbeenabl
etoshaket
hemoodyaur
a
ar
oundheraf
tersheandShar
onhadl
eftFel
i
x’spar
ty,
bot
hhear
tbr
oken.
Whenshet
houghtshewasdonehav
ingone-
sidedl
ove.Wel
l
,shewasdone
hav
ingacr
ushonFel
i
x.Mor
eov
er,
shehadnot
imef
orar
elat
ionshi
pifshecoul
dn’
tget
t
her
elat
ionshi
pshet
rul
ywant
ed.Shewant
edt
oknowmor
eofGodandt
hatwast
he
exactsamer
easonshewasgoi
ngt
othi
spr
ogr
ammeev
ent
houghshewasn’
tonet
ogo
t
ocr
usades,
Bibl
est
udi
esandal
lot
hernon-
Sundaychur
chpr
ogr
ammes.
“
Doy
ouhav
eanot
herpen?Ij
ustr
eal
i
zedIl
eftmi
nei
nthehost
el.
”Theguysi
tt
ing
nextt
oherwhi
sper
ed.
Sadewhi
ppedapenoutofherbagandhandedi
ttohi
m wi
thoutof
fer
inghi
ma
gl
ance.Shewasbusyanal
yzi
ngwhatt
hepr
eacherwassay
ingandwei
ghi
ngt
hem
agai
nstwhatsheknewoft
heBi
ble.Af
teral
l
,thel
astt
hingsheneededwast
obet
ossed
aboutbywav
es.
Twohour
slat
er,
Sademov
edoutoft
hechapel
ponder
ingov
erwhatshehad
hear
dandl
ear
nt.Shehadquest
ionsst
il
lunanswer
ed.Aboutt
otakeat
urnt
oherl
eft
,
shehear
dsomeonehoot
ingandsi
gnal
i
ngf
orsomeonet
owai
tbutSadewasl
ess
concer
nedasshenev
eranswer
edhoot
s.Shewasal
way
sannoy
edwhensomeone
hoot
edt
ogett
heat
tent
ionofsomeoneel
se.Shebel
i
evedt
heycoul
dfi
ndmor
eapt
way
stodot
hatr
athert
hancal
l
ingt
heot
her
sli
kedogs.
“
Youdi
dn’
taskf
ory
ourpenback.
”Theguyshehadgi
venherpenbr
eat
hedashe
r
anupt
oher
.
Sadewal
kedf
ast
erf
oranav
eragegi
rl
.Shegr
innedt
oher
sel
fbutsober
edupata
cl
oserl
ookatt
heguy
.Thoughhehadst
oppedwheezi
ng,
hewasst
il
ltr
yingt
ogethi
s
br
eat
hbackandt
inyspur
tsofsweat
sador
nedhi
sface.Af
ace,
Sadeconcl
udedwas
qui
tegoodl
ooki
ngev
ent
houghshewasnotonet
oadmi
tthataboutaguy
.
“
Itwasn’
tabi
gdeal
.”
“
Letmewal
kyout
oyourhost
el.
”
 “
Feel
freet
otr
y.”
“
Ist
hatachal
l
enget
otr
ytomat
chupt
oyourant
elope-
yst
ri
des?
”
Sadegi
ggl
edandper
mit
tedhi
mtowal
kwi
thher
.Itwasaf
teral
lnotabi
gdeal
andhowbadwoul
ditbe?
Tenmi
nut
esl
ater
,Sadewasr
egr
ett
ingherdeci
sionaboutt
hewal
ktot
hehost
el.
Kunl
ehadmanagedt
oannoyhermor
ethanshehadev
erf
elti
nthel
astt
woweeks.She
hadnev
erbeenabl
etot
oler
atehol
i
er-
than-
thouat
ti
tudef
rom peopl
eandnowshewas
bei
ngf
orcedt
odoso,
outofpol
i
teness.Hadi
tbeenoneofherf
ri
ends,
shewoul
dhav
e
gl
adl
ytol
dtheper
sonspi
tt
ingoutt
hewor
dst
oshutt
hei
rmout
h.
“
Kunl
e,It
hinky
ougoti
tal
lwr
ongandt
hat
’st
hepr
obl
em.Iwoul
dn’
tsayIknow
ev
ery
thi
ngbutIbel
i
eveGodi
sn’
tconf
used.Weal
li
nter
prett
hescr
ipt
uresdi
ff
erent
lyand
t
hati
sther
easonbehi
ndal
lthehocuspocusweseeandhearnow.
”
“
Like?
”
“
Youknow,
whenIagr
eedt
othi
swal
k,Idi
dn’
tagr
eet
oaspi
ri
tual
dressi
ngdown.
”
Sadescowl
ed.
“
Iwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
omakeconv
ersat
ion.
”
“
Bymaki
ngadebat
eaboutscr
ipt
uresandcor
rect
ingev
eryv
iewsIhav
e?Thati
sa
wei
rdconv
ersat
ionst
art
er.
”
“
Ihav
ear
easonf
ordoi
ngt
his.If
eltamov
etowar
dsy
oui
ntheser
viceandI
want
edt
oknowmor
eofy
ou.
”
“
Youwant
edt
oknowi
fIam sui
tedasy
ourmi
nist
rywoman?
”Sadepoi
ntedout
.
Shocked,
Kunl
erasped.“
Iwi
l
lgi
vey
out
imet
opr
ayi
fyouwantt
o.”
Shaki
ngherheadwi
thascowl
onherf
ace,
Sadescof
fed.“
Iam notpr
ayi
ngov
er
any
thi
ng.
”
“
ButIj
ustt
oldy
ou….
”
“
Thaty
ouf
eltamov
e?Whaty
ouf
eltwaspr
obabl
ygr
ati
tudewhenIgav
eyout
he
pen.
”
“
Bef
oreIaskedf
ort
hepen.
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
odenyt
hatGodspeakst
oyoubutIam notgoi
ngt
ogambl
e
awaymyl
i
febecauseoft
hat
.TheKunl
eIgott
oknowi
nthel
astf
if
teenmi
nut
esi
snot
mydr
eam man.
”
 Anger
ed,
Kunl
espat
.“I
dol
i
zingaspeci
fi
cmanhasmademanyl
adi
esmi
ssGod’
s
chosenf
ort
hem.
”
“
May
bebutIknowapar
ti
cul
arper
soni
scompat
ibl
ewi
thmor
ethanoneper
son.
”
“
Donott
hinki
nter
msoft
hef
lesh.Mar
ri
agei
smor
ethanwor
ldl
ysent
iment
s.”
“
Iti
smor
ethanr
eli
gioussent
iment
stoo.Idon’
tseemy
sel
fget
ti
ngat
tachedt
o
y
ouandbel
i
evemewhenIsay
,IknowIam notmaki
ngami
stake.Youwantabi
bli
cal
backi
ng?1stCor
int
hians7v
erse39t
ell
smet
hatawomani
sfr
eet
ochoosewhomev
er
shewant
sasl
ongashei
sinChr
ist
.”
Sadewal
kedi
ntoherhost
elbef
orehebombar
dedherwi
thanot
hercomeback.
“
Thanksf
ort
heescor
t.
”Shey
ell
edov
erherback.
NI
NE

Ly
ingi
nbed,
Shar
onsoakedherpi
l
lowwi
thhert
ear
swhi
chf
lowedf
reel
yasshet
hought
ofmemor
ieswhi
chsheshoul
dhav
ekeptbur
iedandwal
l
owedi
nherhear
tbr
eak-
i
nducedgr
iefandsel
f-
pit
y.
Whathadshedonei
nthenameofl
ove?Sheshudder
edi
ndi
sgustather
sel
f.
Asachi
l
d,shehadal
way
swant
edherpar
ent
s’at
tent
ionbutt
heywer
ehar
dly
ar
oundandsot
henannyhadni
cknamedher‘
thecat
’becauseshewasal
way
scl
i
ngi
ng
andcr
yingf
orat
tent
ion.Shewaspr
act
ical
l
ylov
e-st
arv
ed.
May
bet
hatwaswhyshe’
djumpedi
ntobedwi
thev
eryl
essdeser
vingguywho
l
ookedt
wiceherway
.St
il
l,
thel
ovesheal
way
sgotwasnott
heoneshewant
ed.She
cr
avedadeepersenseofl
oveandsecur
it
ybutal
lshegotwer
erel
ati
onshi
pswhi
ch
madeherpar
anoi
dthatshemi
ghtl
oset
hem anydayandsoshehadf
oundher
sel
f
doi
ngt
hemostdespi
cabl
ethi
ngsj
ustt
okeept
hem.
Ev
ent
ual
l
y,t
heyl
eftandshef
oundher
sel
fdoi
ngmor
epat
het
ict
hingsnott
olet
t
henextonesl
i
pof
f.Andsot
hecy
clecont
inuedunt
ilshesl
i
ppedi
ntodepr
essi
onand
unt
ilshehadanot
herboy
fri
end.
Shewast
ir
ed.Shecr
ied.Bi
tt
erl
y.
Shewonder
edi
fGodcoul
dhav
eher
.Shewasf
art
oodamaged.I
fshewasGod,
sheknewshewoul
dn’
taccepther
sel
f.Shehadhear
dthem sayGodaccept
edand
want
edsi
nner
stocomet
ohi
m.Butshehadmor
ethansi
nned,
shehaddest
roy
ed.She
waswr
ecked.
Shehadmur
der
edsomanyi
nnocentsoul
sal
li
nthenameofl
ove.Shehad
abor
tedt
hreepr
egnanci
esf
orMi
chael
wit
hinay
ear
,twopr
egnanci
esf
orFr
anki
nfi
ve
mont
hsandhadhadami
scar
ri
agewhenhersecondboy
fri
end,
Tonyhadbeat
ent
he
cr
apoutofher
.
Whet
herGodwant
edherornot
,shewasnotgoi
ngt
ofi
ndoutbybei
ngpat
het
ic
onherbed.Sadehadi
nvi
tedhert
oaBi
blest
udyi
nthenextt
woday
sandshewas
def
ini
tel
ygoi
ng.
TEN

Si
tt
ingi
nthecour
tyar
dint
hehost
el,
Michael
rakedhi
shandt
hroughhi
shai
r,t
hinki
ngof
howt
obr
eakupwi
thanot
hergi
rlandwonder
edwhyhecoul
dn’
tkeepar
elat
ionshi
p.
May
beBadewasr
ight
,het
hought
.Thepr
obl
em waswi
thhi
m andnotwi
tht
hegi
rl
s.
“
Hey
,man.
”Hegr
eet
edasBadewal
kedpasthi
m,smi
l
ingasi
fther
ewasno
t
omor
row.
“
I’
m gr
eat
.”Badesmi
l
edashesi
dledupt
oMi
chael
.Hehadn’
trecei
vedanyv
isi
ts
l
atel
yfr
om anyoft
hecul
tmember
s.Thatwasmor
ethanenought
omakehi
m smi
l
e.
“
What
’supwi
thy
ou?
”Mi
chael
asked,
conf
used.Badehadbeengoi
ngar
oundas
i
fhehadahugepi
l
eofr
ocksonhi
sshoul
derf
orweeksandt
hissuddenchangei
n
moodsmadehi
m cur
ious.
“
I’
m goi
ngt
oBi
blest
udyt
omor
row.
”Badeannounced.
Shocked,
Michael
gapedathi
m asi
fhehadgr
ownhor
nsev
ery
wher
eonhi
shead.
“
Whendi
dyoust
artgoi
ngt
ochur
ch?
”
“
Sincet
heLor
dsol
vedabi
gpr
obl
em i
nmyl
i
fe.
”
“
CanIf
oll
owy
ou?It
hinkIneedapr
obl
em i
nmyl
i
fet
obesol
vedaswel
l
.”
“
Ofcour
se,
Ibi
kunl
etol
dmeal
lmenar
ewel
comebyt
heLor
d.”
“
Wheny
ouar
egoi
ngt
omor
row,
comet
omyr
oom andl
et’
sgot
oget
her
.”
“
Nopr
obl
em,
man.
”
Theydi
scussedv
ari
ousacademi
ctopi
csandot
heri
ssuesbef
oret
heyf
inal
l
y
cal
l
edi
taday
.Wal
ki
ngbackt
othehost
el,
Michael
coul
dn’
twai
tfort
henextdaysot
hat
Godcoul
dal
sosol
vehi
spr
obl
em.
ELEVEN

Ther
ewasal
ull
int
heat
mospher
easPast
orI
bikunl
est
oodatt
heal
tar
.Hesmi
l
edatt
he
newf
aceswhom hemadeament
alr
emi
ndert
oreachoutt
oaf
tert
heser
vice.Gl
anci
ng
att
hei
rner
vousf
acesatt
heuncer
tai
ntyofwhatt
heywer
ether
efor
,hesmi
l
ed
r
eassur
ingl
yatt
hem al
l
,remember
inghi
sfi
rstencount
erwi
thChr
ist
.
Leadi
ngt
hewhol
echur
chi
ntongue-
pray
ing,
heencour
agedt
hem t
oopent
hei
r
hear
tst
orecei
ve.Smi
l
ing,
het
oldt
hemember
stowel
comeoneanot
hert
oser
viceand
t
opar
ti
cul
arl
ywel
comet
hef
ir
st-
ti
mer
s.
Whenev
ery
bodyhadr
etur
nedt
othei
rrespect
iveseat
sandt
heat
mospher
ewas
l
essr
ust
led,
hesai
dinhi
smostappeal
i
ngv
oice.“
I’
m goi
ngt
obet
alki
ngont
hel
oveand
nat
ureoft
heFat
her
.”
“
Lov
eisknownt
obeast
rongf
eel
i
ngofdeepaf
fect
ionf
orsomebodyespeci
all
ya
memberofy
ourf
ami
l
yoraf
ri
end.Lov
eisnotwhatGodhasbutwhoHei
s.Lov
eisHi
s
nat
ure.Lov
eiswhoGodi
s.Hel
ovesussomucht
hatHehasf
orgi
venusofal
lofour
si
ns.Hedi
edoncef
oral
landf
oral
lti
mesandr
esur
rect
ed,
andwear
edecl
ared
r
ight
eousbyHi
sundeser
vedki
ndnesst
hrought
her
ansom pai
dbyChr
istJesus.
”
Openi
nghi
sBi
ble,
her
eadout
.“Justaswecanseei
nthebookof1stJohn4
v
erse16,
”hewai
tedf
ort
hecongr
egat
iont
oopent
hei
rBi
blebef
oreher Andwe
ead.‘
haveknownandbel
i
evedt
hel
ovet
hatGodhat
htous.Godi
slov
e;andhet
hatdwel
l
eth
i
nlovedwel
l
ethi
nGod,
andGodi
nhi
m.’
Themostcommonv
erset
ell
susoft
heext
ent
ofHi
slov
einJohn3v
er hatf
se16t orGodsol
ovedt
hewor
ld,
thatHegaveHi
sonl
y
begot
tenson,
thatwhosoeverbel
i
evet
hinHi
m shoul
dnotper
ishbuthaveever
last
ing
l
i
fe.
Laughi
ngl
oudl
yformi
nut
es,
her
ejoi
ced.“
Oh,
can’
tyousee?Hel
ovesus,
Hedi
ed
f
orus,
webel
i
eveandwear
esav
ed.Wehav
eli
fe.Ev
erl
ast
ingl
i
fe.Et
ernal
li
fe.Rej
oicei
f
y
oubel
i
eveandar
egl
adt
hatHel
ovesy
ou.Yes,
youbr
other
,Hel
ovesy
ou.Yes,
you
si
ster
,Hel
ovesy
ou.Nomat
terwhaty
ouhav
edone.Notbecauseofwhaty
ou’
vedone
orwhaty
oudi
dn’
tdo,
Hel
ovesy
ou,
Hewant
syour
egar
dless.I
tisHi
snat
ure.Lov
eis
whoHei
s.Lov
eiswhatHehascal
l
edust
obe.Lov
eiswhatHehascal
l
edust
orecei
ve.
Hi
slov
eiset
ernal
.Hi
sli
fei
set
ernal
.Hi
sgr
acei
set
ernal
.Rej
oicei
nthespi
ri
t.Rej
oicei
n
under
standi
ng.Conf
esst
oyour
sel
fandbel
i
evet
hatHel
ovesy
ou.Youar
ethebel
oved.
Lett
hatbey
ouri
dent
it
y.Lett
hatbey
ourconsci
ousness.Letgoofev
erycondemnat
ion.
Hel
ovesy
ouasy
ouar
e.Youar
efor
giv
en.Hewi
l
lnev
err
ejecty
ou.Resti
nHi
slov
e.
Rej
oicei
nHi
slov
e.”
Hewat
chedast
hewhol
econgr
egat
ionj
umpedupt
orej
oice.Hef
eltasenseof
j
oyandpr
ideashewat
chedt
hei
nit
ial
l
ydepr
essedf
ir
st-
ti
mer
sjumpandsmi
l
e.He
sensedt
hef
eel
i
ngofhopei
nthem andr
aisedanot
herr
oarofj
oyi
ngr
ati
tudeatmor
e
soul
sbei
ngsav
edandbr
oughti
ntot
hef
ami
l
yoft
heFat
her
.
Hecont
inued.“
Thewayt
owal
kandl
i
vei
nthel
oveofGodi
stobel
i
eveand
expr
esst
hesamel
ovet
hatJesusgav
etous.I
tisi
nthel
oveofChr
istt
hatwef
indour
whol
eness.Foraman,
unt
ily
our
ecei
vet
hel
oveofGod,
youcan’
tlov
eawomanas
Chr
istl
ovest
hechur
ch.Forawoman,
unt
ily
our
ecei
vet
hel
oveofGod,
youcan’
tknow
orr
ecei
vel
ovef
rom amanasChr
istl
ovest
hechur
ch.Unt
ily
ouappr
eci
atehow
pr
eci
ousy
ouar
etoGod,
youwi
l
lcont
inuet
oset
tl
eforl
esswhi
chi
sascr
apoft
hel
ove
t
haty
oudeser
ve.
Godwant
sust
obecl
osert
oHi
m.Hebecameamansowecanmi
ngl
e.Hesent
Jesussoev
ery
onewoul
dknowwhoHei
s.Hewant
sust
obesons.Hewant
stobeour
Fat
her
.Wear
eaf
ami
l
y.
Doesn'
tthatsoundcool
?Theal
might
yGodi
sourFat
her
,want
susassons,
i
rr
espect
iveofwhowear
eorwer
eandseesusasf
ami
l
y.”
Sadef
eltgl
adGodl
ovedherandwasnotwai
ti
ngar
oundt
hecor
nerf
orev
ery
peskyt
hingshedi
dormi
ghtdo.Shar
onf
eltsoot
hedasshebel
i
evedi
nthel
oveoft
he
Godwhosawhersi
nsandgui
l
tandst
il
lwant
edher
.Sher
ant
otheal
tar
,wi
tht
ear
sof
j
oyandr
eli
eft
orecei
vet
hel
i
feofChr
ist
.Mi
chael
crav
edt
heet
ernal
undy
ingl
ovewhi
ch
her
eal
i
zedhesear
chedf
orandi
mmedi
atel
yshott
ohi
sfeetwhent
hepast
ormadet
he
al
tarcal
l
.Badesmi
l
edatt
her
eassur
ancet
hatGodwat
chedov
erwhoar
ehi
s.
Thewhol
econgr
egat
ionst
oodt
othei
rfeetaf
tert
heser
viceendedt
oshar
ethe
gr
ace.“
Thegr
aceofourLor
dJesusChr
ist
,thel
oveofGodandt
hesweetf
ell
owshi
pof
t
heHol
yspi
ri
tiswi
thusnowandf
orev
ermor
e.Sur
ely
,goodnessandmer
cyshal
lfol
l
ow
usal
ltheday
sofourl
i
vesandwear
ethehouseoft
heLor
dfor
everandev
er.Amen.
”
THEEND