moment that she
understood what her salvation had cost Christ. She was just
coming to understand the enormous penalty that had been
paid on her behalf, and on behalf of all those who chose to
accept His free gift.
As the pastor delivered the morning message, Celeste
listened intently to what was being said. After the close of
service and the congregation was dismissed, Celeste began
to collect her belongings. Making her way towards the exit
she was stopped by several members of the congregation
who shook her hand, hugged her in warm embraces, and
thanked her for coming.
The elderly lady who greeted her upon her arrival asked
Celeste for her name.
“I’m Celeste Brooks.”
“Nice to meet you, Celeste. My name is Elizabeth
Peters, but everyone just calls me Beth. Did you enjoy the
service today?”
“I sure did. I’m looking forward to coming back next
Sunday.”
“Well, if you’re interested,” Beth began, “We’re having
a family film tonight and a pot luck. I’d love to see you
here later if you don’t have any other plans.”
“That’s tonight? I thought I read that it was another
night. Yeah, I’d love to come.”
“That’s great. See you then,” Beth said with a smile.
Before walking away, Celeste asked, “What should I
bring?”
“Nothing, Dear, just yourself.” That was the first of
many church events that Celeste attended on a regular
base.
Everyone
at
New Life
Pentecostal
Church
had
welcomed her with warmth and open arms; Celeste felt as
though she was among family.
Before climbing into bed, Celeste knelt by its side in
thought. Thomas who has seen her do this every night since
becoming saved lies on the floor next to her feet. Thinking
of this evening’s event, Celeste began to pray:
Dear Lord, Thank You for the blessing of this
day. I pray that as I walked through the day that I
was a light for You. That I did nothing to make
myself shamed. If I committed any sins against
You, I pray that You will forgive me of them.
Father, I thank You for the grace and mercy that
You shower so freely on me each day. I thank You
for
blessing me
abundantly
with health and
strength. I ask, dear Lord, that You grant me to see
the events of this evening clearly. That You bring
everything into focus for me so that I will take the
path that You desire me to travel. I know that You
are not the author of confusion, so I must confess
right now that I am very confused. I also seem to
have a real problem with being cynical. Lord, I
don’t want my past to stand in the way of Your
path for me.
Please help me. Amen
Pulling back the cover, Celeste feels at peace enough to
sleep well. As she climbs in bed, Thomas jumps onto the
bed to claim his sleeping spot opposite her. Celeste tucks
herself under the duvet. Turning on her side, her favorite
sleeping position, she falls quickly to sleep.
Chapter Six
During the night, Celeste dreams of a wedding. In the
dream she sits on the side of the groom toward the front of
an elaborately decorated wedding chapel. The bridesmaids
wear satin gowns in Indigo. The square neckline gowns are
adorned with jeweled sequence. The graceful A line skirt
flows to the floor and hangs low enough that one could
only see the front of the strappy black leather sandals. The
matron of honor’s dress is remarkably similar, save the
chiffon
drape
that
crosses
the
bodice
just
below the
neckline and ties at the back in a wistful bow.
Matching f
rom earrings to sandals, the bride’s wedding
party is the epitome of elegance. The gentlemen adorn
black tuxes with cumber buns matching the bride’s maid
gowns. Theirs shoes are polished to a mirrored shine. Each
looked suave and debonair as they escort the ladies in one
by one.
When the wedding march begins to play on the organ,
everyone rises to his or her feet for the entrance of the
bride.
The
crowd faces
the
rear
of
the
church
in
anticipation;
Celeste is unable to
turn.
Despite all her
efforts, she is frozen looking toward the Pastor as he
understood what her salvation had cost Christ. She was just
coming to understand the enormous penalty that had been
paid on her behalf, and on behalf of all those who chose to
accept His free gift.
As the pastor delivered the morning message, Celeste
listened intently to what was being said. After the close of
service and the congregation was dismissed, Celeste began
to collect her belongings. Making her way towards the exit
she was stopped by several members of the congregation
who shook her hand, hugged her in warm embraces, and
thanked her for coming.
The elderly lady who greeted her upon her arrival asked
Celeste for her name.
“I’m Celeste Brooks.”
“Nice to meet you, Celeste. My name is Elizabeth
Peters, but everyone just calls me Beth. Did you enjoy the
service today?”
“I sure did. I’m looking forward to coming back next
Sunday.”
“Well, if you’re interested,” Beth began, “We’re having
a family film tonight and a pot luck. I’d love to see you
here later if you don’t have any other plans.”
“That’s tonight? I thought I read that it was another
night. Yeah, I’d love to come.”
“That’s great. See you then,” Beth said with a smile.
Before walking away, Celeste asked, “What should I
bring?”
“Nothing, Dear, just yourself.” That was the first of
many church events that Celeste attended on a regular
base.
Everyone
at
New Life
Pentecostal
Church
had
welcomed her with warmth and open arms; Celeste felt as
though she was among family.
Before climbing into bed, Celeste knelt by its side in
thought. Thomas who has seen her do this every night since
becoming saved lies on the floor next to her feet. Thinking
of this evening’s event, Celeste began to pray:
Dear Lord, Thank You for the blessing of this
day. I pray that as I walked through the day that I
was a light for You. That I did nothing to make
myself shamed. If I committed any sins against
You, I pray that You will forgive me of them.
Father, I thank You for the grace and mercy that
You shower so freely on me each day. I thank You
for
blessing me
abundantly
with health and
strength. I ask, dear Lord, that You grant me to see
the events of this evening clearly. That You bring
everything into focus for me so that I will take the
path that You desire me to travel. I know that You
are not the author of confusion, so I must confess
right now that I am very confused. I also seem to
have a real problem with being cynical. Lord, I
don’t want my past to stand in the way of Your
path for me.
Please help me. Amen
Pulling back the cover, Celeste feels at peace enough to
sleep well. As she climbs in bed, Thomas jumps onto the
bed to claim his sleeping spot opposite her. Celeste tucks
herself under the duvet. Turning on her side, her favorite
sleeping position, she falls quickly to sleep.
Chapter Six
During the night, Celeste dreams of a wedding. In the
dream she sits on the side of the groom toward the front of
an elaborately decorated wedding chapel. The bridesmaids
wear satin gowns in Indigo. The square neckline gowns are
adorned with jeweled sequence. The graceful A line skirt
flows to the floor and hangs low enough that one could
only see the front of the strappy black leather sandals. The
matron of honor’s dress is remarkably similar, save the
chiffon
drape
that
crosses
the
bodice
just
below the
neckline and ties at the back in a wistful bow.
Matching f
rom earrings to sandals, the bride’s wedding
party is the epitome of elegance. The gentlemen adorn
black tuxes with cumber buns matching the bride’s maid
gowns. Theirs shoes are polished to a mirrored shine. Each
looked suave and debonair as they escort the ladies in one
by one.
When the wedding march begins to play on the organ,
everyone rises to his or her feet for the entrance of the
bride.
The
crowd faces
the
rear
of
the
church
in
anticipation;
Celeste is unable to
turn.
Despite all her
efforts, she is frozen looking toward the Pastor as he
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