The Banks Sisters by Nikki Turner Page A

short but a walking and living testament of what God can do. But Simone never trusted him, with a name like Cassius Street, who could blame her?

    Though all these things were true and correct in Simone’s eyes, but she couldn’t help herself, she had in fact, been blessed and God had spared her from wild bullets that had her name on it. The only exclamation was, that it wasn’t God who had jammed the gun of the robber when she thought she was breathing her last breath.
    Because of God and Jesus Christ, she was able to live on and see another day and that alone was enough reason to praise the Lord. So, she joined in and gave thanks to the Lord.
    Pastor Cassius in his fitted straight leg jeans and cowboy boots stood before Simone, and said with the rest of the church-goers watching and listening to every word about to proceed from his mouth.
    â€œMy brothers and sisters, what we have just witnessed with our own eyes is nothing less than the work of the Most High. It’s God’s unchanging grace. It was only our prayers that lead God to allow not one strand be removed from our sister Simone’s head. In the midst of a war at her workplace, in the midst of the crossfires and gunshots and coworkers falling to her left,” he dramatically shifted his weight to his left, “and to her right,” then did the same thing with the right side of his body.
    â€œAin’t God good?” The members started to clap and shout.
    His words got the prayer service patrons, even more riled up, the Holy Ghost took over, shouting, praising, and shouting took place for another forty-five minutes. Finally, resulting to a love offering of $212 taken up by Pastor Cassius for Simone.
    After the big Holy Ghost party was over, she stood at the door to give, hugs and thanks to the church folks for praying for her. Then Me-Ma whispered, “Make sure you thank Pastor here, baby.”
    Simone shot a look at Bunny that said, “Rescue me,” but Bunny with a smirk on her face, just dropped her head but not before giving her a look that said, “I can’t help you with this big sister.”
    â€œThank you Pastor for everything,” Simone said. “I really appreciate your prayers and everything you did,” she shook his hand, and before she knew it, he had taken her into his arms.
    â€œWe hug around here.”
    â€œWell, thank you so much for your prayers.”
    â€œIt was most definitely my pleasure.” He flashed his pearly whites at her.
    â€œAnd I think Pastor has something for you,” Me-Ma added.
    â€œOh yes,” Me-Ma voice prompted his memory, “Yes,” he nodded. “Let’s head to my study. Sister, we took a love offering for you and your family.”
    â€œThank you.” Simone was surprised, at the thoughtfulness of the pastor. She’d always passionately thought he was a money hungry ex-pimp, drug dealer who was only into the ministry because of the lure of a greater hustler. She hated the fact that maybe she’d have to admit that pastor may actually be all right after all. Or maybe God was just dealing with him in his own way.
    She had to admit, Well, I guess if you think and speak something so long, you start to believe it yourself. maybe God is really working on him. She thought to herself as she followed him to his study.
    â€œI think it’s about $212 and of course you’d bless the church with half of that.”
    That’s a new policy, Simone thought to herself, they took up the love offering for me and my family and I have to let the church keep half. Well I guess half of something is better than nothing. But with this man right here, it’s always something, she thought, but instead just responded, “Yes, of course Pastor Cassius.”
    â€œYou have to be strong and just have faith as you go through this. And know that all of the feelings you are having, God brought you through that ordeal today, he will bring you