Discovering Treasure by Crystal Mary Lindsey Page B

to the conclusion that the ones with a real faith have more of a conscience in regard to right and wrong. Also, when times get tough, they had an inner strength to believe that no matter what they see with their own eyes, God will bring then through the outcome.” He paused for reflection –. “And then there is prayer. It’s so good to know that no matter what time of the day or night, God never sleeps and is always there. And, he answers prayer, not always as we would like, but the way that’s best for us. As a fighter pilot in the war I saw things that sickened me to the core. I saw the evil in man, and I saw the good. I decided I wanted to be on the good side, I wanted to belong to God’s people and if I died in battle, I wanted to spend eternity in heaven where all sickness, old age, and sin is done away with.”
    He glanced over at her to try and read her reaction. “Jesus died for me. I take that personally. He died for me before I even lived and before I ever sinned, because he knew, that no matter how good I wanted to be, I would never be perfect. What love is that Treasure, what love is that?”
    She was confounded, yes indeed, what love was that? How many times had she heard people laugh at others for their belief in Jesus, and yet, how could you turn your back on someone who gave their life in replacement of your own? At that moment, in that rickety old truck, with the dirt and the dust, Treasure whispered in her heart. Yes, I want that also, I want Jesus living in me. Yes, I believe!
    No words of explanation were needed when Connor’s truck stopped at the front of her house. Treasure was a new creation, her heart changed from the inside out and she felt like shouting it down the street for all too hear and yet she didn’t, she couldn’t just yet. It was new and she wanted to feed this newness inside of her, until it was rich enough to spill out with the right words of conviction to others.
    But to Connor she owed a great debt and she wasn’t sure how to repay him.
    â€œStay in the truck, there’s no need for you to get out; you’re just as tired and as dirty as I am and feel. Stay there!” Getting out she lifted her case off the back of his truck tray, and then walked around to his window. She slid her arm in and around his neck, bringing his face up close to hers. Before thinking, she said, “I love you Connor Latham, I love you with all my heart, and I love Jesus Christ who you have given to me as well.” With him in total shock from her words, she kissed him full and long on the mouth before stepping back from the truck door.
    What should he do? He wasn’t sure, and then, what the heck! To be done with propriety and watchful eyes! He jumped out of the truck, pulled her tightly into his arms, and he whispered words he wasn’t sure yet that he should reveal. “I love you too Treasure Gilroy. I love your sweetness, your caring and your genuine heart.” Their kiss was tender and full of an endearing love, a love that nothing could pull apart. Or could it? “Let’s take it easy,” he whispered looking into her eyes. “Let’s see what God has planned for us. His ways are not our ways, but from experience I know, his ways are best.”
    With a parting kiss, he hopped back into the truck and drove away.
    Treasure tore through the front door, slamming it behind her. She checked her watch. Fivein the afternoon, and time for tea, she went to the kitchen to find the kettle on with no one in sight. What the—?!!! Where was everyone? After taking the kettle off the stove, she called for Ella and then Nellie, as she ran through to the back of the house. Even Paris was gone. Running to the garage and around the back, not even Kelvin was in sight.
    Getting that deep gut feeling, Treasure knew something was very wrong. She tore back to her room and without bothering about a bath, changed into breeches, boots, and