A catchy song from the worship service re-played in Diane's brain as she and Justin walked home through the park. It was one of those perfect winter days: the kind some people refer to as an Indian summer. Yet, despite the beautiful weather and the fact that she had just been to church with the man she loved, Diane felt a kind of hollowness inside. The band had been truly amazing, the people friendly, the Pastor relatable. Not to mention, the coffee was on a level with gourmet. Yet despite all of this, she truly felt nothing once the music faded away and she left the auditorium.
"Want to sit down for a mo before we go home?" Justin broke into her reverie. She smiled her agreement and he led her to a bench near the central fountain. Diane pushed her anxious thoughts aside and just savoured the feel of Justin's hand in hers as they sat watching the splashing water and busy pigeons. "You were deep in thought just now, D. Everything OK?" Justin asked lightly. It was so not like Diane to be withdrawn.
She smiled quickly. "It's nothing really. I'm just not sure whether it's worth it to go to church anymore." Diane shrugged and stared across the lawn on the other side of the fountain. "I keep feeling as though I should feel something, you know. Feel close to God, but I don't."
Justin squeezed her hand. "But you went forward when the call was made, same as me. That must mean something."
"I guess." Diane smiled. "Let's just forget about church for the moment. It's such a gorgeous day, and here I am with the most handsome guy in town."
The couple sat a little longer in the pleasant sun before strolling off again across the green lawn towards their apartment.
When they reached the edge of the park, Diane looked up at the little stone church that stood there as though seeing it for the first time. "Sweet, isn't it?"
Justin nodded. "Must be pretty old. Sounds like there's some singing going on inside."
The young couple edged closer to the fence and saw that the sanctuary door stood open. What sounded like piano music drifted out towards them.
Diane stepped closer to the door hoping to hear more of the beautiful hymn: Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling; calling for you and for me....
See, on the portals He's waiting and watching, watching for you and for me...
Come home, come home;
you who are weary, come home,
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home...
Diane felt Justin move close beside her. Together they slipped into the back pew of the church. The lyrics of the hymn as well as the three which followed wrapped themselves around Diane's heart as she listened. She longed to know the Jesus Who was being worshipped in the little sanctuary.
An ordinary, plainly dressed man stepped up to the pulpit. Diane hoped that he would speak plainly too, and not give a motivational message. She could go on to Instagram or to her own church for that.
She wasn't disapointed. The sincere and friendly pastor explained the way to Jesus so clearly that even a child could have understood.
"Will you surrender your life today? Will you give up all to follow Him? Repent, and ask Him to save you today. Now, let us all bow our heads and spend time in silent prayer. I will not ask you to put your hand up or to come forward. What I do ask is that you consider carefully whether you are on your way to heaven or to hell. Are you born again?"
***
The sanctuary was empty. It was nearly noon on that golden winter's day, but the three people kneeling in the back pew were unaware of the passing time. Two sinners were being welcomed home.
***
Copyright: Alison Lawrence
A fictional story with a true message. Please note, that all of the salvation stories on the blog contain made up characters except for my own salvation story which you can find here.
Hymn: Softly and Tenderly. Will L Thompson. 1880
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