Hope Springs by Kim Cash Tate Page A

do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Then he had led them through an exercise where he’d given several scenarios of what they might have gone through this past year, ending each one with, “But I”—and the congregation filled in the blank—“press!”
    â€œI know some of y’all think I’m too young to know what it means to have to press.” He leaned over the podium. “But believe me when I say I’ve been through some things . . .”
    Kory saw his gaze flitter to the section with Janelle and Libby.
    â€œPress, saints. Don’t live in the past. Don’t let it stop you from living the abundant life Jesus died to give you today. Press on.”
    The organist struck up a few chords.
    â€œAnd you know what the organ means,” Pastor Travis said. “How many seconds do we have?”
    â€œTwenty!” somebody shouted.
    â€œStand to your feet and let’s count down.”
    Kory felt the energy around him as voices rose and the organ played.
    â€œ. . . 18, 17, 16 . . .”
    He felt his own energy rising within. He didn’t have to focus on what happened a year ago. He could press forward.
    â€œ. . . 10, 9, 8 . . .”
    Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for Your peace .
    â€œDaddy, it’s almost here!”
    Kory picked her up as the cheers rang out. “Happy New Year, sweetheart!”
    Dee threw her arms around his neck. “Happy New Year, Daddy!” She watched people spilling out of the pews to hug those around them. She squirmed to get down. “Can I go say hi to Tiffany?”
    Kory glanced in Janelle’s direction, but couldn’t see her or her children with all the mingling. “Sure, sweetheart.”
    â€œWill you go with me?”
    He felt awkward. He didn’t want Janelle to think he’d shown up hoping to run into her. She’d been hesitant about being friends and certainly hadn’t reached out to him yet. He didn’t want to push.
    â€œDaddy, come on.”
    Dee started across the aisle, pulling him along. One thing was sure. He was glad Tiffany had brought his daughter out of her shell. He’d been praying for Dee to find a friend like that in Rocky Mount.
    Dee moved through the crowd, finally spotting her quarry. She touched Tiffany’s back, and Tiffany squealed when she turned around. “Dee!” They embraced like old friends.
    Janelle turned, her eyes warm. “Hey. I didn’t know you’d be here.”
    â€œSame here. I thought you left a few days ago.”
    She looked beautiful as always—gorgeous brown skin, beautiful hair—but it was the beauty that radiated from her soul that captivated him from the beginning. Since everyone was hugging around them, he gave her a quick one too. “Happy New Year.”
    She returned it easily. “Happy New Year, Kory.”
    They exchanged an amused glance as Tiffany and Dee started in on what they’d gotten for Christmas. Both girls had several pigtails, but Kory could see that Tiffany’s hair was much better styled. He had a long way to go in the hair department.
    â€œI was sorry to hear about Grandma Geri,” Kory said.
    Janelle nodded. “It was a shock to all of us.”
    â€œI was just coming to say that, how shocked I am.” Sara Ann had walked up beside them.
    â€œHey, Sara Ann,” Janelle said. “I don’t know if you remember Kory.”
    Sara Ann smiled. “I remember pushing your daughter on the swing.” She shook his hand and said hello to the girls.
    â€œDo you always come to Watch Night Service?” Janelle asked her.
    â€œI’ve come the last three years. Because I work at the diner, I miss a lot of Sunday services. But on New Year’s Eve the diner’s closed, and it hit me one year, hey, that’s a service you