Faith Unseen

Faith Unseen

Trinity Christian Romance

Leona Norwell

             
Faith Unseen
© October 2015

              All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

              This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.

              Cover design © 2015 Cameron Rowe

              First Edition October 2015

              Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Faith Unseen

             
By Leona Norwell

Chapter 1

              “Thank you for calling Help the Flock. How may I help you?” asked Faith Newham

              “I’m calling for information on your outreach ministry.” A strong male voice asked.

              “Certainly. We are a ministry to those who minister… We provide a place of resource such as counseling help in other communities, a place for the minister to share his prayer requests in case he doesn’t want to share with his congregation.”

              “Interesting. Do you help pastors with relocating issues, such as a reputable realtor?”

              “Not usually unless you are relocating to Albuquerque, New Mexico, then I could help you out.”

              “I may take you up on that. Anyway, thank you for the information. I may be calling back.” He said as he started to disconnect.

              “Wait. Anyone who calls gets added to our prayer list even if they don’t use our service. Will you tell me your name?”

              “My name is Nathan Lindstrom.”

              “Thank you. Call again if we can be of service.”

              “And what is your name?”

              “Faith”

              “Thank you for your help Faith. Have a good day.”

              “You too Mr. Lindstrom.”

              Faith hung up from the call and spoke into her voice operated document search program. “Prayer list” she said and then heard the sound of the document opening. “Please speak name to add to prayer list.” She heard a few seconds later. “Nathan Lindstrom” Faith spoke into her microphone. “Nathan Lindstrom has been added to the list Faith.”

              “Thank you” replied Faith “Document close.”

              Faith returned to the study of the book of James that she had started that morning. She had just started to run her fingers along the page to find the first verse again when her sister, Leah came downstairs. “Hi Faith. Ready for lunch?”

              “Sure, are you burning the cheese sandwiches or am I?”

              “Funny.” Leah growled “I could let you starve. You wouldn’t eat if I didn’t remind you it was time.”

              “And you are any better?” Faith laughed “Who reminded you it was time to eat?”

              “Martha” Leah answered “Mom sent her over here with food. She found me in the workshop before she found you in the catacombs down here.”

              “Did I forget to turn the lights on again?” Faith asked as she stood up from her chair

              “Yes, but since you don’t need them, why would you turn them on?”

              “So my sister won’t think I’m entombed down here.” Faith answered

              Leah laughed as she watched her twin sister climb the stairs to the kitchen. Faith Lindstrom had been injured in an accident at the family farm about ten years ago. She had lost her sight and received several very noticeable facial cuts that had left her face scarred. “Am I turning the computers off?” Leah asked as she walked past the switch.

              “No. I’m going back down after we eat.” answered Faith then turned to greet Martha. “Hi Martha. How are you?” she asked hugging their mother’s cook and housekeeper. “Mom sent you to check up on us?”

              “No. She wanted me to feed you. That’s all.” Martha grumbled

              “Sure. What did she want to know that she couldn’t pick up the phone and ask?” Faith queried

              “Nothing, she just wanted to remind you that the possible new preacher is coming to preach on Sunday and that she expects you for dinner tomorrow night.”

              “We remember, Martha.” Leah laughed “She doesn’t have to send you to remind us.”

              “Eat your lunch. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Martha said as she left the kitchen

              Faith and Leah waited until they heard the car start then they burst out laughing. “How old are we again?” Leah asked

              “Either two or twenty-five, depending on who you ask.” answered Faith as she bowed her head to pray.

             
Dear Heavenly Father,

             
Thank you for all your provisions and most especially your son, Jesus Christ. Nourish us with this food and your word so that we might be of service to you.

             
In Jesus name

             
Amen

              Leah and Faith went back to work after their lunch and forgot about the dinner with their mother. Their mother, Pearl Newham, was a strong, capable, independent woman who loved her God, her husband and her kids in that order. She taught her four children the values that God values and she taught them her independent spirit. She just still tried to un-independence them a little too much.

              Then next evening, Leah drove the girls out to the family farm for their weekly family dinner. The farm was several thousand acres of crops, mountains and livestock. Their father, Jacob Newham, was one of the wealthiest men in the state of New Mexico but also one of the humblest. He loved his God, his wife and his kids in that order.

              As Leah pulled in front of the house, she looked for any obstacles that would be in Faith’s way. “The gardener is still working and his tools are still out. Wait for me to come around the car.”

              “Thanks” Faith responded graciously

              Leah came around and walked Faith to the front door without mishap. Jacob opened the door as he saw them walk up. “Hi” he said as he hugged them. “Hi Dad” they responded

              “Hi girls” their mother said as she descended the stairs. “You both look very beautiful.”

              “Thank you mother” they responded in unison “So do you. New outfit?” asked Leah

              “Yes” her mother answered hugging them both “Go with your father, I need to check on Martha.”

              “Yes, mom” they replied indulgently. Jacob took hold of Faith’s hand and placed it on his arm to lead her into the living room. He started to ask them about their day and their projects when his sons came. “Hi, we’re late but we are here.” Jeremy said as he and Paul entered the house.

              Pearl came to announce dinner was ready and the family walked into the dining room. Jacob prayed a short but meaningful prayer and the dinner was served. Jacob asked each of his children what they had been studying in their Bible daily devotions. Faith was the last to answer “Count it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” “I started a study of James yesterday and got to studying this verse. It applies, don’t you think?” Faith asked and her family answered with “yes”. Jacob and Pearl were proud of all their children, but Faith had overcome adversity to minister to others in such a unique way.

              Leah and Faith left their parents home several hours later with a reminder from their mother about the possible new preacher coming on Sunday. “We remember. But we are always there anyway, why do you keep reminding us?”

              “Because I just do.” Pearl answered and they laughed and kissed her goodbye.

              Sunday morning, Leah led Faith into the worship center after morning Bible Study and helped her find a seat near the back of the auditorium. Faith had trouble navigating around people and she didn’t want to hit them with her cane so she chose to sit close to the back of the room. “I’ll see you after the service.” Leah said heading to the choir room to practice.

              “Hey Sis” Jeremy said sitting down beside her “Hi Jer” Faith responded

              “Have you met the preacher yet?” asked Jeremy

              “No, and don’t point me out if he comes this way.”

              “Why not?” asked Jeremy

              “Just don’t.”

              Jeremy was just about to respond when the music minister began the first song and the choir entered. As the song service ended, the chairman of the personnel committee introduced their speaker.

              “Nathan Lindstrom is our preacher today; included in your bulletins is his background and education qualifications. We are honored you are here with us.” He said welcoming Nathan to the podium.

              Faith was momentarily stunned. She had talked to a Nathan Lindstrom earlier in the week and had been praying for him ever since. Nathan thanked the church for allowing him to speak and then began his sermon. Faith didn’t remember much of the sermon because his presence had caught her off guard. She didn’t understand why but she couldn’t concentrate on his topic.

              After the service, Nathan was greeting church goers in the foyer but Faith never went out that way. Leah always led her out the side and around the building to the car so that Faith wouldn’t have difficulties running into people.

              “Well, did you like him?” Faith asked as they started home

              “Yeah, he was very interesting. He seems to know what he is talking about.”

              “Good, maybe he’ll be our new pastor.” Faith commented. Her words were proven true a week later as the church voted to call Nathan Lindstrom to be their new pastor.

              “Thank you for calling Help the Flock. How may I help you?” Faith said in greeting.

              “Hello. I spoke with someone a couple of weeks ago about relocating and if they knew a reputable realtor.”

              “Yes, I remember.”

              “Faith?”

              “Yes, you remembered my name.”

              “Remembering people’s name is my business.” He laughed as he answered

              “I thought preaching was your business.”

              “You know me?”

              “Yes, you are the new pastor of the church I attend.”

              “Wonderful. I guess you figured out that this is Nathan Lindstrom.”

              “I did. You are the only one who asked about a realtor. I know of several, I will email you the names if you would like.”

              “That would be fantastic.” Nathan gave her his email address and thanked her for her assistance “I’ll see you when I get to town then.”

              “I’ll be praying for your safe arrival.” She said as she hung up. Faith voice activated her email program and sent the information to Nathan. His response came back right away that he looked forward to meeting her.

              “Not likely.” She said to the quiet room. As she went back to reading and studying, another message from Nathan came. He a dozen questions that he sent throughout the day and Faith began to be amused by his disorganization at sending multiple emails instead of asking all his questions at the same time. Faith patiently answered his questions but didn’t get much studying done in the book of James.