The Small Town Preacher's Fake - Lucy McConnell Page 0,54
to be willing to change a part of himself and share his God-given talents with others—even though it made his hands shake. She wished she could walk right up there, put her hand over his, and still his nerves.
Oh, how she loved this man.
She tried to make eye contact, but Seth seemed to look everywhere but at her. As silly as it was, the avoidance caused her to doubt herself. Had she done something wrong? Did he feel pressured into singing today because of what she’d done before? Was he still upset at her? She didn’t think she could take it if he looked at her with that much disappointment again.
They shared an opening song and a prayer. The sense of anticipation was growing by the minute. Evie gripped the edge of the pew and hung on, needing something to stabilize herself, or she might jump out of her seat. As it was, her knee bounced in a fit of energy.
“I was going to share some things I’d learned about small acts that have big results. I wanted to talk about prayer—and how kneeling can open the floodgates of heaven. I’ve seen physical acts have spiritual results time and time again. And we’ve several stories in the Bible, including Jesus anointing a man with clay and telling him to wash it off in order to see, that teach us that what we do matters.”
A few people nodded their heads.
Evie bit her lip. A burr of guilt buried itself against her ribs. She’d done a big thing—gotten married—and presented a false front to all the wonderful people in this room. To her friends. She adjusted in her seat, but the burr stayed put.
“Instead,” Seth continued, “I want to talk about being uncomfortable.”
Evie mentally rolled her eyes. I’m a step ahead of you, she thought.
“I don’t think God wants us to be comfortable in this life.” He held up a palm. “Let me explain before you start quoting John 10:10. I have come that they may have life and have it to the full, says the Lord.”
“Amen,” murmured several people.
“Jerom, have you ever had a growing pain?”
Jerom looked up at his mother, who nodded for him to answer. “Sometimes.”
“What’s that like?” Seth prodded.
“I can’t sleep. My legs feel like they’re stretching.” He touched his thighs as if he could feel the pain in that moment.
Evie gave him a sympathetic frown.
“Right! And perhaps, when we are growing to become more like our Savior, we experience growing pains too. That’s why we have heartache during our lifetime. Because we cannot learn to follow Jesus and forgive as He forgives us if our hearts aren’t broken in the first place.”
Mrs. Timms’s feathers bobbed as she nodded in agreement.
“We cannot learn to serve others if no one is in need. At times, you will be the one to carry a friend, and at others, that friend will carry you. Thereby you may both magnify Jesus.”
Evie looked around. This little flock was so good at looking out for one another. Her heart continued to expand for them in their needs. Mrs. Farmly’s loneliness. Mr. Lucas’s weak heart after his surgery. The Hendersons’ struggle to raise a family. Terri’s wayward husband.
She focused her attention back on Seth as he picked up his guitar.
“My heart was so full of this message that I couldn’t help but put it into a song.” He kept his head down, but his red cheeks still showed.
Please look up, Evie silently begged.
He lifted his chin, and their eyes met. She poured all her belief in him, all her love, all her strength, into her look, praying he could receive it.
He laid the strap across his back and squared his shoulders. The notes he played weren’t solemn or slow. The music would fit in on any Christian station, because it carried hope and lift and a good beat.
“When I was down, You let me cry.
When I was up, You let me soar.
But then You asked, Who am I
If I don’t make you more?
You are my God. You formed my soul.
You brought me here. You make me whole.
When I look up, I look to You.
You are my God. And You renew.
You ask of me more than I can bear.
And I ask of You to please be there.
Don’t leave me be. Don’t let me fall.
You are my God. You are my all.
You are my God. You formed my soul.
You brought me here. You make me whole.
When I look up, I look to You.
You are my God. And