A Time of Hope by Terri Reed

Author:Terri Reed
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2006-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

On a bright crisp Monday morning a few weeks after he’d used the soda can in his sermon, Jacob headed to the church to find the notes he’d left on stage the previous Sunday morning. He hadn’t done anything as dramatic as the soda illustration, but he was feeling good about his sermons. He was taking more ownership of them and finding he really enjoyed the time spent searching for unique ways to deliver God’s messages.

Things were going well with the new worship band he and Kyle had put together. Their efforts had at first been met with raised eyebrows, but many people had commented just yesterday what a blessing the music had been for them.

The congregation’s reaction was gratifying. As was the way the town had opened their hearts and homes to him. He had dinner invitations from almost every family in town. He’d had to increase his running regimen to compensate for the extra pounds all the good food was putting on his waist-line.

He also found the time visiting with the different families enlightening. He began to see how the work of ministering to the families mirrored Jesus’s parable about the Shepherd and his flock. The town of Hope was rapidly becoming Jacob’s flock and he enjoyed giving his time.

He wondered how his grandfather managed with such a big congregation. Of course, Shepherd’s Way had associate pastors and elders who helped tend to the flock there in San Francisco.

Jacob readily anticipated the day he could share all he was learning here in Hope with his grandfather. As of yet, he’d still been unable to speak to him. Jacob had called the church several more times and his grandparents’ house, but so far it hadn’t helped. If he didn’t know better, he’d think his grandfather was avoiding him. But that was a ridiculous thought.

Jacob pushed open the outer door of the church and a female voice raised in a melodic tune greeted him. He paused, captured for the moment by the quality and tone of the singer.

A stirring deep in his soul propelled him forward in search of the one singing. He stepped into the sanctuary and blinked.

At the foot of the stage, Mara, dressed in her usual baggy garb, her wild curls sticking out around her sweet face, sang as she swept the floor.

Quietly sinking into the last pew, Jacob held his breath as he soaked in the overwhelming presence of God filling the church. He closed his eyes, letting the sound infuse his senses. He could picture her words of song rising through the atmosphere to the heavenly places touching the very heart of God.

The song ended, the only sound the soft swooshing of the broom. Jacob didn’t want to open his eyes. He didn’t want to move or do anything that would announce his presence, in hope that she’d sing again. A moment later, her incredible voice rang clear as she began another song of praise.

Jacob enjoyed every note and chord.

When the song ended, Jacob opened his eyes.

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