Faith Unseen (15 page)

              “Faith, are you telling this story?” Leah asked

              “Yes, it is my story to tell.” Faith agreed “Tom, do you remember the movie night just before Thanksgiving?”

              “Yes”

              Faith began telling the story of what happened with the ladies from church and how that caused her to run away. “I felt that they were telling me what the church’s perspective was and I ran away and would probably still be gone if not for the accident. I still pushed Nathan away even after I came home. I felt that he and Leah should be the ones dating not he and I. Of course that was prior to my having any knowledge of her interest in you.”

              “Yes, I set her straight real quick when I found that out.” Leah interjected “I didn’t want anything getting back to you about this. Actually, it was the same day as our first coffee date.”

              “Can I tell you something, Faith?” Tom started

              “Yes”

              “As Leah and I were leaving that day, I asked why Nathan was there with you. Leah told me and my response was that you were as wonderful as she is and I hoped to see you and Nathan together at church. I haven’t changed that opinion. In fact, it is even stronger now.”

              “Thank you Tom, but are the church members going to feel the same way? I know I have friends there but friendship is different than being the pastor’s wife. Will they accept that I can’t be a typical preacher’s wife?”

              “What is a typical preacher’s wife?” Tom asked Nathan and Leah

              “Beats me.” Leah answered “Nathan?”

              “Her definition” Nathan pointed to Faith “is that she couldn’t be a “perfect, superhuman, I can fill every open position at church” because I’m blind. My definition is that she can only do what God directs her to do.”

              “Faith, Nathan is right. If you don’t change your definition, you will never measure up even if you had sight. It isn’t possible to please others, you have to put your priorities on God and He will direct you. I believe though that the majority of our church members will be glad to see you and Nathan as pastor and wife of our church. The funny thing may be when two single staff members marry twin sisters and the four of us lead our church. Now, that is quite a story.”

              “Uh Tom?” Nathan pointed to Leah “I think maybe you need to …”

              “Leah, what’s wrong?” Tom asked suddenly at her pale face

              “Tom, you said “when” we get married.”

              “Yes, I know I did.”

              “Are you thinking that far ahead too?”

              “Yes” Tom answered then realized what she said “Too?” he questioned

              “That is what I said.” Leah said happily “Too.”

              “Uh…” Tom stuttered “I may actually be speechless.”

              “Why?” asked Leah, Faith and Nathan asked in unison

              “Why?” Tom asked incredulously “I knew I was jumping ahead in thinking about marriage, but I didn’t know you were too.”

              “I’m not suggesting we get married tomorrow Tom.” Leah argued

              “No, I’m not either and neither is Faith.” Nathan commented “All four of us need to seek wise counsel on marriage but I believe we need to talk as couples with that goal in mind. If you are just “dating”, it is too superficial and important issues don’t get discussed.”

              “I agree.” Tom said “I just don’t want Leah to believe I was rushing her to the altar.”

              “I don’t.” Leah said “I was just as surprised to hear you were thinking marriage. Maybe I should worry that you feel rushed.”

              “I don’t feel rushed.” Tom smiled at Leah and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. After a moment Tom asked “Were you done with your story Faith? We jumped tracks on you.”

              “My story was just to let you know that I had big concerns that I am the best choice of a wife for Nathan. I acted them out improperly because of being fearful and not letting the Lord lead me. I still believe there could be some issues with the church members and only time will tell on that.”

              “But she also knows that she is my priority before any church members’ opinions on our relationship. I will leave the church and find a new one if necessary.” Nathan interjected

              “Yes, I do know that now and I am more confident about us.”

              “I don’t really think there will be a problem Nathan.” Tom stated

              “Me either, but we are prepared for the possibility.”

              Polly came to tell them that dinner was ready and all four moved to the table with Max and Polly. Nathan led them in their prayer
Lord God, I thank you for the people around this table and what they mean to me. I ask that you lead Faith and I as well as Tom and Leah in our relationships. Help us with our priorities and help us move out of your way as you love others through us. Thank you for your Son Jesus Christ. In His Name, Amen

Chapter 9

              Faith walked into the kitchen on Sunday morning after their trip to Colorado. “How do I look?” she asked Leah. “Is my cast real noticeable?”

              “You look fine. Nathan will still love you even if your cast shows. You always look
perfect
.”

              “What’s wrong Leah?”

              “Nothing” she answered abruptly

              “UhHuh and that’s why you are snapping at me. Let’s try again, what is wrong?”

              “You will think I am silly.”

              “No I won’t, tell me. Did I do something wrong?”

              “No, it’s me. I want Tom to like my outfit and I’m nervous about sitting with him in church and I’m nervous that he won’t want me to sit with him at church and how his parents will like me when I meet them eventually and will our brothers tease us unmercifully when they find out and …”

              “Stop” Faith interrupted “You are worrying over nothing. What is the underlying reason for all of this?”

              “I’m nervous. This Sunday is the first time Tom and I will be at church together as a couple. I didn’t go last week so today is the first time and I’m nervous.”

              “Okay, now I’m nervous too. You had to remind me of being with Nathan the first time as his girlfriend.”

              “I’m sorry.”

              “Sit down and let’s pray about this and then you are going to call Tom.” Faith said listening for Leah to sit down.
Dear Heavenly Father, please calm our nerves about church today. We go to worship you and help us to not let the reactions of others take away from worship. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Faith ended her prayer and then spoke to Leah “Call Tom”

              “Why?”

              “Because maybe he is feeling the same way.”

              “Are you going to call Nathan?”

              “Yes, I believe I will.”

              “Okay, here is the phone to call Nathan. I’ll use my cell phone to call Tom.”

              Faith dialed Nathan’s telephone number and waited for him to answer

              “Nathan Lindstrom” he answered

              “Hi”

              “Hi sweetheart. Is anything wrong?”

              “No, Leah and I are here stressing ourselves out about church today.”

              “Why?”

              “It is kind of a girl thing, we are nervous about being with you and Tom as couples today.”

              “That isn’t a girl thing. I’m a little anxious also. We didn’t clarify how much we wanted others to know. Do you want to sit by me before I preach or do you want me to just walk you to your car or do you want to be seen leaving with me as I take you to lunch?”

              “I need a little help to answer that, what do you want?”

              “First of all, will you go to lunch with me?”

              “Yes, I’d love too.”

              “Wonderful, then that answers part of the question. I would like it if you sat by me before I preach but that might really start the questions.”

              “I think I’d rather wait on that, I sit in the back so I don’t have to walk through as many people to exit. Let me not do it today, and then after I find out if Leah is going to sit near Tom, then she can still walk me out.”

              “Okay. But if I take you to lunch, I’ll be walking you out, won’t I?”

              “How about if Jeremy walks me to your office as the crowd thins out of the sanctuary?”

              “Great idea.”

              “I’ll talk to you at church then.”

              “Bye sweetheart.”

              Leah came back into the kitchen as Faith hung up the phone. “How did your talk go?” Faith asked Leah

              “He was nervous too. What about Nathan?”

              “He was anxious too.”

              “So what did you decide?” Leah asked

              “I’m going to sit in the back today and have Jeremy walk me to Nathan’s office after the service. Then Nathan is taking me to lunch. And what did you and Tom decide?”

              “After the choir leaves the loft, I’ll sit in the second pew and he’ll sit beside me. And after church, I’ll drive home and he will come get me and take me to lunch.”

              Faith laughed gently. “Let’s start over. Good morning my wonderful sister, how are you today?”

              “I’m great. How are you?”

              “I’m great too. We are completely nuts.”

              “Yes we are.” Leah agreed going to the coffee pot. “I just had too much time to think and I didn’t ask enough questions about what he was thinking. I’m sorry I made you nervous too.”

              “That’s okay. I have one more logistical question. Where are you sitting in relation to where Nathan sits before he preaches?”

              “I would sit in the row behind where he sits. Why do you ask?”

              “He wants me to sit with him before he preaches but I needed to ask you first if it was going to be anywhere near where you were going to sit.”

              “I have an idea. Let’s not think about it anymore today. And this week, you and I will venture down to the church and take our guys to lunch. And at the same time, talk about logistics like that and how to make this all work for everyone’s comfort. Let’s see how today goes and how many questions we generate.”

              “I’m wearing off on you, that is a great plan.” Faith smirked

              Leah laughed “Being housemates and sisters for twenty-five years is bound to have an effect. But you know what sister dear?”

              “What?”

              “I think those days of us being housemates are numbered. Who knows how high a number it may be but they are still numbered.”

              “I hadn’t thought of that. That will take some getting used to, won’t it?” Faith said

              “Yes, it will. Are you ready to go to church?”

              Faith agreed and they headed out to the car after retrieving their coats. As they arrived at church they were met by their parents. “Hi Mom and Dad” Leah said as she opened her door. “How are you?”

              “We are good.” answered Jacob Newham “How was your trip?”

              “Wonderful, we had a great time.”

              “How is your leg, Faith?” Jacob asked as he helped her from the car.

              “It is itching all the time, but other than that it is fine.”

              “Good and how is Nathan?” he whispered

              “He is fine too. Ask Leah how Tom is.”

              “Your mother is.”

              “Are you okay with this Daddy?” Faith asked suddenly unsure

              “I’m fine with it. I will do my fatherly duty and have a nice chat with both of them though.”

              “Dad!” she exclaimed “We are not teenagers.”

              “No, you are my grown girls but I’m still going to talk to them.”

              “Okay. When? So we can warn them?”

              “I’m not telling you and they don’t need to be warned either. I’m sure they are expecting it from either me or your brothers, so who would you prefer?”

              “Definitely you.”

              “I thought so. See you later sweetie.”

              “Bye Dad.” Faith said turning to go to the Bible study she attended

              “Hey you.” Nathan called as he walked up on her

              “Hi!” Faith answered recognizing his voice. “What are you doing over here?”

              “Just looking for someone interesting to talk to.” He joked as he took hold of her hand to help her into her class. “Thanks for calling me this morning by the way. It was a great way to start the day.”

              “Yes it was.”

              “Hello Nathan” Leah said as she sat down next to Faith

              “Hi. How are you today?”

              “I think you already know the answer to that question.”

              “I probably do. I’ll see you two later.” He said exiting their class room.

              “Well, that should start the questions flowing.” Leah whispered to Faith

              “Why?”

              “Has he ever walked you into class before? And the look on his face was very easy to read.”

              “Don’t make me nervous again. What was the look on his face?”

              “He looked like he was talking to the most important person in the world to him.”

              “Okay, now you are going to make me cry.”

              “Faith?” a voice asked “What is going on with you?”

              “Hi Beth. What do you mean?”

              “You have been gone for weeks and now all of a sudden Nathan is walking you to Bible study class.”

              “Yes and?”

              “Are you and Nathan seeing each other?”

              “Well, he sees me but I don’t see him.” Faith stalled

              “Oh, that was bad.” Leah laughed “Very bad”

              “It was awful. Okay friend, spill the details.” Beth grumbled

              “Later. But the answer to your question is yes.”

              “That is fabulous!” Beth said hugging Faith “I want details later.” She said moving back to her seat

              “One down, four hundred to go” Leah whispered as the teacher stood to begin the class. Faith smiled her answer back to Leah.

              After Bible study class, Leah began to walk Faith to her normal seat in the sanctuary but was stopped by everyone welcoming Faith back. Nathan saw them and decided to rescue Leah. “I got this, Leah. Go to choir.”

              “Thanks Nathan”

              “Hi again” Faith said as they walked along “Thanks for rescuing Leah.”

              “Not a problem. You wouldn’t happen to know why was I enthusiastically hugged by Beth Cameron a moment ago as she said she was so happy for me?” Nathan asked as he helped her to find her seat.

              “I’ll tell you later. Go do whatever it is you do before the service starts.” She said smiling and shooing him off

              “Yes ma’am” he laughed “I’ll see you in my office after the service. Hang on to these keys so you can get in.” he said placing his keys in her hand and giving her hand a gentle squeeze “Bye”

              “Hi Nathan” Jeremy said walking up to them “We need to have a nice
long
talk.”

              “No you don’t Jeremy. Go away Nathan, I’ll handle this.”

              “Anytime Jeremy. Anytime.” Nathan laughed walking away

              “Stay away from him Jer” Faith said as her big brother sat down next to her “It isn’t any of your business.”

              “I’m the big brother, it certainly is my business. I just have to make sure he knows a few things.”

              “Jeremy” she growled

              “Oh, I won’t torture him too bad.” Jeremy said hugging her “Actually, I’m very happy for you two. Same for Tom and Leah.”

              “Thanks Jer. Will you walk me to Nathan’s office after church?”

              “Sure”

              After the service ended, Jeremy began to escort Faith to Nathan’s office but they were stopped by a half dozen people asking where Faith had been and how her leg was healing. Jeremy tried to keep them moving but wasn’t very successful. Eventually Nathan came to rescue Jeremy. “I’ll take over Jeremy. Call me about that talk.”

              “I will.” Jeremy laughed as he kissed his sister goodbye and headed out the door.

              “Hi again.” Faith said as they walked along. “How many times have you rescued me today?”

              “Who cares” he laughed “You have my keys?” he asked as they reached his office. Faith handed him the keys and he opened the door and walked her in and helped her into the chair. “This office is a mess so don’t venture around much. Someone has been too busy to make my new shelves.”

              “Hi Leah.” Faith said suspecting Leah was nearby.

              “Hi. I wanted to make sure you got here okay. Jeremy sometimes leads you in circles just for the fun of it. And your shelves will be ready next week, is that
soon
enough for you?”