Kent struggled with the feeling of joy that suddenly washed
over him. “Looks like she’s feeling much better today,” he observed.
“Must be all of the
attention,” Jessica said.
“She had a hard night
last night.” Kent spoke the words as much to Shauna as anyone in the room. “Really
scared me.”
“Teacher pray for me,
Daddy,” Charity snuggled her head against Shauna’s arm.
“She did?” He couldn’t
help but smile at Shauna, but as he did, he felt every pair of eyes in the room
bear down on him. “Looks like God answered her prayer.” He took a seat on the
couch next to Shauna and his daughter and tried to think of something to say.
He found himself tongue-tied, unable to think straight.
“How are things at the
school?” The words tumbled out.
“Oh, good,” she
explained. “We’ve been hanging Christmas decorations and getting ready for our
little party in a few days. We’re sure missing Charity, though.”
“Really?” He didn’t
mean the word as an accusation, but the look of pain in Shauna’s eyes told him
she had interpreted it as such.
“Of course,” she said.
“I sure hope she’s able to come back in time for our Christmas party.”
“She loves being at
school.” He gave her a comforting look. “Especially when you’re there.” He felt
his cheeks grow warm. “And she always loves a party.”
“So do I!” his mother
exclaimed. “So why are we all sitting around gabbing? Let’s get the music going
again. Come on, everyone. Let’s sing some Christmas carols.”
Jessica sprang up from
her seat and headed to the piano. As “Jingle Bells” began to spring forth from her
fingers, the room came alive with Christmas cheer. All of Kent’s earlier fears
were washed away as he joined in the song—all of the people he loved best
at his side.
Kent looked over the congregation from his seat on the
platform. If this evening’s service got any better, he might just bust a few
buttons. Already, the choir had performed a beautiful Christmas medley then
joined with the congregation to sing several of their
favorite
carols together. Jessica and Colin combined their skilled voices for a unique
version of “What Child is
This
?” The song seemed an
appropriate choice in light of Jessica’s news just this morning that she and
Colin were expecting their first child come summer.
Kent’s heart could hardly contain the joy. But he had to
stay focused. The evening would be drawing to a close soon, and he didn’t want
to miss his favorite part. Any second now the music for “O Holy Night” would
begin, and all of the memories of past Christmases would fade together into a
beautiful new picture of holiday hope and joy.
His heart warmed when the familiar introduction began.
Several of the teens from the congregation came forward as they had been
instructed. They traveled in silence from pew to pew, handing out the small
white candles that would soon light the room. Jessica’s voice rang out above
the crowd, clear and strong. “O holy night, the stars are brightly
shining.
. .”
Kent looked out over his congregation, the words stirring
him as never before. He felt a mixture of joy and sorrow, knowing his
time
as interim pastor would soon be drawing to a close. The
board had only asked him to stay through the end of the year, after all. Though
the interview process had moved at a snail’s pace, he felt sure they must have
made some decision in recent days.
They must be coming closer to finding the right man for the
job. That had to be the reason they had asked him to stay after tonight’s
service for a brief meeting. He had noticed both a sense of excitement and
peace in the countenances of those involved in the process. Soon he would
receive the news that would release him from this position—and send him
in search of another.
Thank You for this time in my life, Lord. Thank
You
for trusting me and for allowing me such an amazing
opportunity. I know I’m young, but I feel like I’ve gained several years’ worth
of knowledge in such a short time.
Had it only been months?
Jessica sang on, her voice like that of an angel. Kent
looked out at those in attendance, amazed to see so many new faces. At least
twenty or thirty new members had joined them during his brief stay behind the
pulpit. Many more were yet to come; he felt sure of it. His mind reeled as he
considered all of the things the church could do on the evangelism front over
the next months and years. His imagination almost got the better of him before
he realized these were not his decisions. At least, they wouldn’t be for long.
But, oh, how great it had been to come up with ideas to help
the church grow and flourish. What a wonderful time he had had! Kent had loved
getting to know the new people but had really enjoyed spending time with the
more established folks, as well.
And then there were
those who had been in limbo.
One in particular.
Kent
couldn’t help but smile as his gaze came to rest on Josh Ebert, who sat in the
third row with his wife and boys. The reports, at least so far, had all been
good. Josh seemed to be on the mend, and Vicky’s face—and
attitude—reflected a new sense of hope. Their young sons sat between
them, faces awash with contentment.
That’s what this season is all about, isn’t it? Hope. Contentment.
Restoration.
Kent’s heart swelled.
Yes,
not just for others, but for me, as well.
The last two Christmases had been the most difficult of his
life, Kent had to admit, but this one felt different in so many ways.
New. I’ve made all things new.
And
You
’ve done a work
in my heart I could never have imagined. You’ve healed from the pain of the
past and given me a hope for the future.
Kent stood and made
his way to the podium. Once there, he gave the instructions to light the
candles. One by one the room came alive with light—starting with a soft
glow and growing into a shimmer that took his breath away. By the time the
final candle came alive, light flooded the whole place.
“The stars are
brightly shining.” As the words to Jessica’s song echoed in his ears, Kent
couldn’t help but think each and every member of Grace Community Church was a
star all its own. And yet, each person was more valuable, more precious than a
million stars.
Let every light keep
burning, Lord. Don’t let even one go out.
His gaze settled on a
group of people in the third row—his own little galaxy. His mother and
stepfather sat side-by-side, taking turns holding Charity, who squirmed as much
or more than ever.
And then there was the young woman seated to his mother’s
left. With the soft glow of the candlelight flickering in front of Shauna
Alexander’s face, her beauty lit a flame in his heart that he could no longer
deny. He would not fight to put it out. Instead, he would embrace it as never
before.
***
Shauna brushed away loose tears as Jessica’s song ended. She
couldn’t help but whisper the word
beautiful
as she dabbed at her eyes.
Beautiful service, beautiful
song, a beautiful family seated all around her—and a man so used by God
standing at the podium that she had to confess his beauty, as well.
I have to tell him. I need to let him know
how proud I am of all he has accomplished in this place. And I have to let him
know something else, too.
I have to let him know that I’m falling in love
with him.
The musicians began to
play “Silent Night,” and the congregation rose as one. The words, sweet and
simple, brought fresh tears to her eyes. “All is calm, all is bright.” She
could hardly sing past the lump in her throat.
I still speak in the stillness, in the calm.
“Round
yon virgin mother and Child.” She whispered the words, unable to get them out.
Yes, Lord. I hear
Your
voice.
“Don’t doubt the call I’ve placed on your life to work with
children. There will be many of them in your life. They need your love.”
I’m so inadequate, Father.
“Sleep in heavenly
peace.” The congregation continued on with the soothing lullaby, and Shauna
closed her eyes to focus.
“Peace, child. My strength is made perfect in
you.”
Charity tapped on Shauna’s leg, startling her back to
reality.
“Teacher?”
Shauna looked down at the youngster. “What is it, honey?”
she whispered.
“I hold candle?”
Charity’s lips formed a familiar pout.
“
Well.
. .” Shauna looked up at Laura Dougherty for some show of support, but found
the other woman stood with her eyes closed, clearly enjoying the music.
“Maybe we can hold it together,” Shauna whispered. She sat
down on the pew, and Charity crawled up into the spot next to her. With her own
hands very carefully holding the candle, she allowed Charity to slip her tiny
fingers around the edges of the bottom.
With both hands now firmly holding the little light in
place, Charity sang aloud with a voice as clear as an angel’s. Her breath
caused the candle to flicker, and her precious voice brought a smile to
Shauna’s face—a smile quickly replaced with tears of great joy. They came
slowly at first, and then with greater intensity.
Charity nuzzled up
against her and whispered the words, “I love you, teacher,” so softly that
Shauna had to ask her to repeat them. When she finally heard—and fully
understood—the youngster’s heartfelt offering, Shauna’s heart felt as if
it would explode with joy. In one night’s time she had discovered her heart was
capable of not only love for a
man.
. .but the purest
of loves for his daughter, as well.
***
Kent emerged from the meeting, amazed to find the church
nearly empty. He finally located his mother and Charity in the back of the
sanctuary, but most of the others had apparently already gone.
Please, Lord. Don’t let Shauna be gone. I need to talk to her.
“How
did it go?” His mother yawned as she stood from the pew.
“Fine, fine.”
I’ll have to fill her in later.
“You were sure in
there long enough.”
“We were?” Kent looked
down at his watch, shocked to discover almost an hour had passed. “That’s odd.
Felt like just minutes.”
“We still have some
last-minute things to take care of at home,” his mother whispered. “For you
know who.” She pointed down at his daughter, who slept soundly on the pew.
“Christmas morning,”
he gasped. “I got so caught up in everything going on up here that I almost
forgot.”
His mother chuckled.
“Trust me, she won’t let you forget.”
As he reached down to
scoop Charity into his arms, he asked his mother the question that had weighed
on his heart. “Is,
uh.
. .is Shauna gone?”
His mom nodded. “She
stayed for a half hour or so, but had to get home. She needs to spend time with
her family on Christmas Eve.”
“I understand.” He
did, but he also understood that his heart might explode if he didn’t share its
contents with her soon.
“She really enjoyed
the service tonight, honey.” Kent’s mother patted him on the back as they made
their way out into the foyer.
“Really?”
“Yes. We had a long
talk afterwards. She wants to make this her church home.”
“I’m glad. I want that, too.”
“I believe you want
more than that.” His mother’s eyes twinkled as she added, “What you’re wanting
might make for a great Christmas present. The very best.”
“Maybe.” Kent shrugged
and tried his best to hide the smile that wanted to spread so wide his cheeks
would split. “But everything in its time.”
“Fine. No more from me
on this subject,” she said with a wink. “At least for now.”
As they walked out into the parking lot, Kent’s mind reeled.
He couldn’t possibly bother Shauna anymore tonight. Should he call her on
Christmas Day and disturb her family time?
Probably not.
But when would he see her again? When could he tell her?
“Oh!” His mother turned to him rather abruptly as he reached
his car. “I forgot to ask you how the meeting went. Is everything okay?”
He didn’t respond for a moment as he debated whether or not
to tell her what the board members had decided. Finally, he settled on a brief
answer. “Yes. Everything went fine.”
“You’re not telling me much.” She gave him an inquisitive
look.
“No, I’m not. We can talk about it later, okay? It’s late,
and I need to get Charity into bed.”
“Okay. But I doubt I’ll get much sleep tonight, then. It’s
not nice to make an old woman worry.”
Kent chuckled, understanding her ploy to get more
information from him. “You’re not old, Mom. And I certainly don’t want to worry
you.”
His mother climbed into her car and started the engine. She
pulled away and waved with a mischievous grin.