small circle of friends were to hold their Bible study that afternoon at two-thirty. All that morning Genevieve thought about Jessica and her group. It certainly wouldn’t be a problem for them to meet at Jessica’s large home, as they had done in the past.
But Genevieve struggled with the realization she wanted to be there with them. She wanted to hear what they had to say and inch her way back into a closer connection with God. She wanted to tell someone about her mysterious moment before her bath when she thought God was asking her if she wanted to be made well. She felt drawn to the light.
However, Genevieve’s pride wouldn’t allow her to call Jessica and say this was finally the day she could and would come.
The others will think I’m only turning back to God because the café was demolished
.
I don’t know what chapter they were studying during the week, so I won’t have notes or thoughts to contribute to the discussion
.
When the café is back up and running, I probably won’t be able to continue with the group, so it’s pointless to start something I can’t finish
.
Two-thirty came and went on that Wednesday, and Genevieve closed the door in her mind labeled “Jessica and the Bible study group.” She pressed on with her plans to remodel the café more intensely than ever.
As the weeks went on, good-hearted, steady Steven stood with Genevieve, making few demands and even fewer complaints. He took extra time off so he could be available to her and the girls. He did extensive yard work and built shelves in the garage. He accompanied Mallory on her class field trip to the planetarium and drove Anna and two of her friends to the mall in Eugene. Steven and Genevieve spent most of their conversations discussing the girls and the café.
Five weeks after the fire an invitation came for their family to attend a special celebration for the arrival of Brad and Alissa’s adopted daughters from Romania. The ceremony was to be held the second Sunday in June as part of the morning service. Out of the blue, Steven announced hewanted them to go, as a family, to show Brad and Alissa their support.
Genevieve was sitting at the kitchen table with a stack of papers when Steven walked in and stood beside her with a glass of iced tea in his hand.
“Did you see this in the mail?” Steven asked.
“No. Anna brought in the mail, but I haven’t looked at any of it. My bookkeeping system has gotten a little behind.” That morning the builder had asked Genevieve for a significant-sized check. She didn’t have her accounts balanced yet and wasn’t sure she could write the check.
That’s when Steven showed her the invitation and made his announcement about the four of them attending church Sunday.
Genevieve put down her pen. “The event for the girls is being held at the church.”
“I know.”
“You’ve never gone to church before. For any reason.”
“I know.”
Genevieve examined her husband’s calm face. “I’m sure Brad and Alissa will know that we support them even if we can’t make it to the service.”
“Why wouldn’t we be able to go? I don’t fly out until Tuesday. You don’t have any scheduling conflicts, do you? The builders have Sunday off.”
“It’s just that …”
“What?”
Genevieve watched her husband’s unchanging expression. It crossed her mind that he certainly was a good-lookingman. Aside from his receding hairline and his fair skin, Steven’s clear eyes and his distinctive, straight nose had changed little since the day she had met him. He had an aura of confidence that made her let out a deep breath and tell him honestly, “I feel funny going to church.”
Steven waited for her to elaborate.
“I haven’t been in months. I don’t belong there. They have a new pastor. I don’t even know him. It will be awkward.”
Steven slowly sipped his tea and studied his wife. “You don’t have to go. I’ll take the girls. Anyone who asks about you will understand when
But Genevieve struggled with the realization she wanted to be there with them. She wanted to hear what they had to say and inch her way back into a closer connection with God. She wanted to tell someone about her mysterious moment before her bath when she thought God was asking her if she wanted to be made well. She felt drawn to the light.
However, Genevieve’s pride wouldn’t allow her to call Jessica and say this was finally the day she could and would come.
The others will think I’m only turning back to God because the café was demolished
.
I don’t know what chapter they were studying during the week, so I won’t have notes or thoughts to contribute to the discussion
.
When the café is back up and running, I probably won’t be able to continue with the group, so it’s pointless to start something I can’t finish
.
Two-thirty came and went on that Wednesday, and Genevieve closed the door in her mind labeled “Jessica and the Bible study group.” She pressed on with her plans to remodel the café more intensely than ever.
As the weeks went on, good-hearted, steady Steven stood with Genevieve, making few demands and even fewer complaints. He took extra time off so he could be available to her and the girls. He did extensive yard work and built shelves in the garage. He accompanied Mallory on her class field trip to the planetarium and drove Anna and two of her friends to the mall in Eugene. Steven and Genevieve spent most of their conversations discussing the girls and the café.
Five weeks after the fire an invitation came for their family to attend a special celebration for the arrival of Brad and Alissa’s adopted daughters from Romania. The ceremony was to be held the second Sunday in June as part of the morning service. Out of the blue, Steven announced hewanted them to go, as a family, to show Brad and Alissa their support.
Genevieve was sitting at the kitchen table with a stack of papers when Steven walked in and stood beside her with a glass of iced tea in his hand.
“Did you see this in the mail?” Steven asked.
“No. Anna brought in the mail, but I haven’t looked at any of it. My bookkeeping system has gotten a little behind.” That morning the builder had asked Genevieve for a significant-sized check. She didn’t have her accounts balanced yet and wasn’t sure she could write the check.
That’s when Steven showed her the invitation and made his announcement about the four of them attending church Sunday.
Genevieve put down her pen. “The event for the girls is being held at the church.”
“I know.”
“You’ve never gone to church before. For any reason.”
“I know.”
Genevieve examined her husband’s calm face. “I’m sure Brad and Alissa will know that we support them even if we can’t make it to the service.”
“Why wouldn’t we be able to go? I don’t fly out until Tuesday. You don’t have any scheduling conflicts, do you? The builders have Sunday off.”
“It’s just that …”
“What?”
Genevieve watched her husband’s unchanging expression. It crossed her mind that he certainly was a good-lookingman. Aside from his receding hairline and his fair skin, Steven’s clear eyes and his distinctive, straight nose had changed little since the day she had met him. He had an aura of confidence that made her let out a deep breath and tell him honestly, “I feel funny going to church.”
Steven waited for her to elaborate.
“I haven’t been in months. I don’t belong there. They have a new pastor. I don’t even know him. It will be awkward.”
Steven slowly sipped his tea and studied his wife. “You don’t have to go. I’ll take the girls. Anyone who asks about you will understand when
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