out of respect as all eyes turned toward the front.
“I would like to read a scripture from Leviticus 19:18,” Pastor John said. “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
He paused, allowing them to meditate on the scripture he'd read. Flora contemplated the word grudge. Forgiveness was something she had learned to give as a young girl, but she didn't see the point in putting herself back into the clutches of a friend who couldn't be trusted. An image of Bruce Millikan came to mind. She didn't dare look over her shoulder. Earlier she had seen him arrive with his family and had tried to avoid eye contact.
Even if she had forgiven him for his past deeds, she hadn't forgotten them. Resentment filled her heart at the thought of him. Did that mean she still harbored a grudge against Bruce Millikan?
Lord, please forgive me.
It was a sin from the heart. Tears of guilt stung Flora's eyes. The last thing she wanted was to be disobedient to God. Her dislike of Bruce had almost cost her the chance to do the Lord's work on this mission. She didn't want anything holding her back from doing God's will and helping others.
Flora bowed her head and concentrated on her plight. She could let go of past wrongs, but feared letting her guard down and being caught unaware by new hurts. How could she trust a man who had just called her foolhardy only a few days ago? It wasn't a childhood jibe. She truly believed that Bruce Millikan thought her foolish.
Pastor John's voice broke the silence. He prayed aloud for their community. Flora let his voice fade into the background as she whispered a silent prayer of her own.
One by one other friends prayed aloud or shared an enlightening experience as they felt led. Afterwards the congregation received a new family who had transferred from another Virginia Quaker church. A woman was disowned for marrying outside the Quaker faith. Friend Elizabeth dipped her quill. It scratched against the paper as she raced to record all the details.
Pastor John announced a wedding that would take place in three months and informed the congregation that Widow Hodgson had suffered a stroke and could use some assistance around her house. Once his announcements were finished, he bowed in closing prayer and dismissed everyone with a brief nod and smile.
Conversations buzzed around them, and people stood. Some lingered in further discussions while others filed into the aisle and out of the building.
“That was quite refreshing,” Mother said with a contented sigh. “Now I believe the afternoon meal will do us all some good.”
“I agree.” Irene touched her middle. “My stomach rumbled so loud I thought for sure everyone would hear it.”
“If thee had taken time to break thy fast, then thee might not feel so famished.” Mother glanced over her shoulder, her gaze drifting past Flora to Irene.
“I only wanted to look presentable,” Irene said, lowering her voice, drawing out each syllable as if she were tempted to whine.
“Thy vanity is starting to concern me,” Mother said. “I believe this trip will do thee some good. Nothing like a little humbleness and a charitable deed for someone else to bring one back to reality.”
They stepped into the aisle, smiling and greeting others, inching their way to the back door leading outside. A few moments later, bright sunshine greeted them along with a slight breeze that Flora welcomed. With the church building located on a hill, they were able to view the other families in various conversational groups or making their way to their country wagons and black carriages.
“Where could thy father have gone?” Mother shielded her eyes. “I see him. He's over by the graveyard. Visiting our three babies, no doubt.”
“Go on and join him.” Flora touched her mother's arm. “I need to speak with someone.”
“I believe I shall.” Mother patted her hand and moved off in that
“I would like to read a scripture from Leviticus 19:18,” Pastor John said. “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
He paused, allowing them to meditate on the scripture he'd read. Flora contemplated the word grudge. Forgiveness was something she had learned to give as a young girl, but she didn't see the point in putting herself back into the clutches of a friend who couldn't be trusted. An image of Bruce Millikan came to mind. She didn't dare look over her shoulder. Earlier she had seen him arrive with his family and had tried to avoid eye contact.
Even if she had forgiven him for his past deeds, she hadn't forgotten them. Resentment filled her heart at the thought of him. Did that mean she still harbored a grudge against Bruce Millikan?
Lord, please forgive me.
It was a sin from the heart. Tears of guilt stung Flora's eyes. The last thing she wanted was to be disobedient to God. Her dislike of Bruce had almost cost her the chance to do the Lord's work on this mission. She didn't want anything holding her back from doing God's will and helping others.
Flora bowed her head and concentrated on her plight. She could let go of past wrongs, but feared letting her guard down and being caught unaware by new hurts. How could she trust a man who had just called her foolhardy only a few days ago? It wasn't a childhood jibe. She truly believed that Bruce Millikan thought her foolish.
Pastor John's voice broke the silence. He prayed aloud for their community. Flora let his voice fade into the background as she whispered a silent prayer of her own.
One by one other friends prayed aloud or shared an enlightening experience as they felt led. Afterwards the congregation received a new family who had transferred from another Virginia Quaker church. A woman was disowned for marrying outside the Quaker faith. Friend Elizabeth dipped her quill. It scratched against the paper as she raced to record all the details.
Pastor John announced a wedding that would take place in three months and informed the congregation that Widow Hodgson had suffered a stroke and could use some assistance around her house. Once his announcements were finished, he bowed in closing prayer and dismissed everyone with a brief nod and smile.
Conversations buzzed around them, and people stood. Some lingered in further discussions while others filed into the aisle and out of the building.
“That was quite refreshing,” Mother said with a contented sigh. “Now I believe the afternoon meal will do us all some good.”
“I agree.” Irene touched her middle. “My stomach rumbled so loud I thought for sure everyone would hear it.”
“If thee had taken time to break thy fast, then thee might not feel so famished.” Mother glanced over her shoulder, her gaze drifting past Flora to Irene.
“I only wanted to look presentable,” Irene said, lowering her voice, drawing out each syllable as if she were tempted to whine.
“Thy vanity is starting to concern me,” Mother said. “I believe this trip will do thee some good. Nothing like a little humbleness and a charitable deed for someone else to bring one back to reality.”
They stepped into the aisle, smiling and greeting others, inching their way to the back door leading outside. A few moments later, bright sunshine greeted them along with a slight breeze that Flora welcomed. With the church building located on a hill, they were able to view the other families in various conversational groups or making their way to their country wagons and black carriages.
“Where could thy father have gone?” Mother shielded her eyes. “I see him. He's over by the graveyard. Visiting our three babies, no doubt.”
“Go on and join him.” Flora touched her mother's arm. “I need to speak with someone.”
“I believe I shall.” Mother patted her hand and moved off in that
Similar Books
