ReShonda Tate Billingsley - Say Amen by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Author:ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2011-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

43

SIMON STOOD at the podium. This had to be the best Sunday he’d had in all of his time at Zion Hill. The choir had been great and his sermon seemed to be received just as well. He had preached about judge not, lest ye be judged. For once, he admitted this sermon was directed at him and his family, but he was sure there were others in the congregation who would benefit from the message.

Simon swayed from side to side, letting the soft sounds of the organ fill the air. For some weeks after the church vote, he’d delivered rousing sermons, but knew he was just going through the motions. Now his spirit was lifted again. He asked everyone to join him in a silent prayer. He wanted people to take a few minutes and talk one-on-one with God.

Simon looked at his children in the front row. This was the first time all three of them had been to church together since they were little. His grandkids were both fast asleep, Nia lying across Rachel’s lap, Jordan across David’s. Simon was surprised Tracy wasn’t there, but when he’d asked Jonathan about it during their mix-and-mingle fellowship, Jonathan said Tracy stayed at home because he wanted this to be the family’s day.

Both Jonathan and David were silently praying, rocking side to side with the music. Rachel was adjusting Nia’s barrettes, an “I wish they’d hurry up” look across her face. Simon smiled. Oh well, he couldn’t ask for everything. He was just grateful she’d made it to church on time.

Simon hadn’t asked them to come that day. They came because they wanted to. It had been a huge surprise to him.

After dinner Friday night, the four of them sat around and talked about growing up, future plans, and, most of all, missing Loretta. Tracy, intrigued, took it all in. Simon had felt like they were a family again.

He thanked God for leading him to make the right decision and go to Jonathan’s. He had prayed all week on what to do. He asked God for a sign to point him in the right direction. He got nothing until Thursday evening when he was leaving the office and accidentally knocked the family portrait off his desk. It fell to the ground and the glass shattered into several little pieces. He had stared at that picture, realizing that was indicative of what had happened to his family.

That’s when he decided he was going. He had to glue his family back together. He not only wanted to honor Loretta’s wishes but he desperately wanted it for himself.

Simon motioned for the organist to begin winding down. He took a deep breath and said, “Church, I know now is the time I usually call for testimony, but if you don’t mind, I’m going to deviate from that a little today because God has placed a testimony on my heart.”

There were several “Go on, Preacher” and “You release it” comments made from the congregation.

“Y’all know I been through some family drama.

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