Page 23 of Gideon

“So, there’s no service?”

“No. We haven’t had a service for years.”

“I thought…if that changes, can you let me know?”

Nikki nodded. “I do have a Bible study midweek if you want to come to that.”

“Maybe. Can you text me the details?”

“Yeah, I’ll do it now.” She waved as Mae drove away, then sent the text but didn’t cross the street right away. Mae wasn’t the first one to ask about church. People who’d abandoned her family years ago were now whispering apologies, while a few others had stopped her in town to ask what was happening on Sundays. If God was beginning to stir people, that was great. It was what she’d been hoping and praying for, but she was resistant. She’d experienced the fickleness of the town, and her family had paid a high price. Her expectations remained firmly boxed up.

She jogged across the street and hurried to the church. Because her eyes were on the ground as she walked, she didn’t see the man sitting on the step until she was only twenty feet away. She tripped to a halt. “Hi.”

The man was somewhere in his seventies with thick white hair and a strong face. His suit was tidy, but aged.

“Morning,” he said with a voice that was strong and deep. He stood and stepped forward, holding out one hand while the other held a hat. “I was hoping to catch the service.” They shook. “But wasn’t sure when it started, so I thought I’d wait.”

“I’m sorry you had to wait. But unfortunately, the church doesn’t have any services right now.”

“Is that because of the pastor?”

“The previous pastor—he uh—he died. So now there’s no one.”

“What about you?”

“Me?” She choked out a laugh. “You couldn’t pay me enough.” At the quirk of his eyebrow, she felt compelled to explain. “It’s not my calling.”

“Ah, yes. The easy way out.”

“Excuse me?”

“When you’re asked to do something you don’t want to, the easiest way to get out of it is to say you’re not called. Who can argue with that?”

“That doesn’t make it any less true.”

“Perhaps. But who in their right mind would choose to be a pastor of their own free will?”

She laughed. “You sound like you have experience.”

“I’ve had my fair share of challenges. So, there’s no church service in town anywhere?”

“I’m afraid not. Sorry. Are you visiting someone in town?”

“No, just passing through.”

“Asher doesn’t lead anywhere. How’d you end up here?”

“I go where the wind takes me, and I try to have fellowship whenever I can.”

She wanted to apologize again, but an urging in her spirit stopped her. Before she spoke, she sent up a silent protest to God, but He wasn’t interested in her excuses. “If it’s fellowship you’re after, my mom and I are having lunch at a local diner. You could join us if you like.”

“That’s very kind of you to invite me. Thank you. I will take you up on your offer.”

“It’s across the street from the old movie theater in town.”

“I know the place. I passed it on my way here.”

“Great. I’ll see you there in a half hour?”

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