The Perfect Christian by E. N. Joy

had already started preaching by the time Doreen made it to her seat. She was none the wiser of what had been going on in the sanctuary, though. She had been in the Lord’s presence. She had His attention. It was as if she’d reached out and touched His garment, and now that she had a good grip on Him, she didn’t want to let Him go.
    â€œThat’s right, Sis, give Him some praise,” Doreen’s little sister, Pauline, whispered in her ear as Doreen took a seat next to her. Pauline, or Paula as everyone called her, was the third daughter. She patted the top of Doreen’s hand. “It’s gon’ be all right. You just keep praying, praising, and worshiping. God will get you through.”
    Doreen looked at her little sister and smiled. Pauline had always been wise beyond her years. That child loved the Lord and was after His heart so badly, she would have given David a run for his money. Preacher Girl was the pet name their father had for her. He said out of all his children, she was going to be the one to take over the church after him. And that was something big coming from Mr. Hamilton, because it wasn’t too long ago that he felt women had no business behind the pulpit unless it was to do announcements or sing. Guess God showed him. God done went and born to him the very thing he felt shouldn’t exist—a woman preacher.
    God certainly does have a way of changing folks. Doreen was glad about that, because hopefully, God could keep working on changing her. Her mother had been right last year when she told Doreen that she was going to go through hell with Willie. The past year had indeed felt like hell.
    That next day after Doreen had gone back to Willie from her parents’ house, and for the next month or so after that, things had been great. Willie had even taken up joining Doreen for church three Sundays in a row. It wasn’t too long after that, though, Willie turned back to his wicked ways. He was back hanging out at his parents’ place all night, gambling, drinking, lying, and God knows what else. Doreen didn’t know what else, but certainly God did. Doreen didn’t want to know either. This was a time when she didn’t mind being ignorant of Satan’s devices, knowing some things just hurt too badly. The ironic thing about it was that sometimes not knowing hurt even worse. Doreen knew one thing though; she had a family that prayed, and with their prayers and those of her own, she could get the victory over any situation the devil threw her way.
    After church, Doreen felt rejuvenated and brand new. God had restored so much in her, it was as if she had the strength of Samson now. She didn’t even let the fact get to her that Willie had brought only half his paycheck home this week when he stumbled in drunk in the wee hours of the morning. He’d gamble off most of their bill money, but she would make it work. As a matter of fact, she would be prepared for things like this by finding a way to contribute her own money to the household.
    â€œPound cakes and dinners!” Doreen said out loud as she walked up to her house. “I’ll sell pound cakes or chicken dinners. Heck, I might even sell ’em in that old juke joint,” Doreen laughed. She then thanked the Holy Spirit for giving her such a good idea. Doreen was leaning more toward pound cakes. She made the best pound cakes that side of Kentucky. Everyone in the church had told her so. Every time the church was having a bake sale or some kind of event that required the members to bring food, the first thing everyone would ask was, “What did Sister Doreen bring?” Then they’d charge right over to her dish and get to devouring it.
    Doreen could burn in the kitchen like nobody’s business. She had to. With her mother helping her father so much with the church, she had to help out a lot at home. Cooking was her favorite thing. A gift from God is what most called it.