“I’ll be right back, Branson,” I said as I slipped out of our row and went to my dad’s side.
“Just begin to worship the Lord. I feel He is moving on hearts, healing people’s lives right now, just worship Him!” Pastor Dom said as he threw up his hands in worship. The music got a little louder. I put my hands on my dad’s shoulder. What do you want me to say, Jesus? I asked. My dad just kept crying. My heart. Say My heart. I began to hear a phrase and bent to my dad’s ear so he could hear me.
“I am well pleased with you, son, well pleased. You are mine, and I cherish you. Don’t worry about the future, for I am the Lord your God who restores, heals, brings back dead things to life. I am your Father, and you are my son.” I began to just pray after I said the word, and I could feel my dad’s body shaking from crying. The worship began to increase, the intensity of the music made me gasp. Thank you, Zoe, the Holy Spirit said as I went back to my seat. Tears gathered in my own eyes as I grabbed Branson’s hand again.
***
After worship, Branson walked toward the front when they were about to take up offering. I gave him a reassuring smile. He told me he hadn’t sung in a really long time. Pastor Dom slapped his back as he approached the front. He put the microphone in Branson’s hand and walked back to his seat.
“Come on, baby,” I said with a smile. The ushers passed out envelopes, and I grabbed one. The band had stayed up front, and one member handed Branson an acoustic guitar. My eyes widened. I had no idea he was going to play guitar. He began to strum very softly and looked out over the crowd of people.
“I didn’t do anything to deserve this. I didn’t do anything to earn this. By grace I am saved, it was not of my own goodness. By grace I am saved, it was only by Your love. I can’t earn my way to the foot of the cross. I can’t work hard enough. It’s just by grace, I am saved it was not of my own doing, Lord. It was You, It was You, It was You! You’re the reason.”
I watched as Branson sang and felt my heart squeeze. His voice was so beautiful, but it was more than that. It was the heart behind what he was singing. I picked up on the melody right where I was standing and started singing with him. After his song, his fan section and everyone else cheered. He handed the guitar back to one of the guys up front and walked back to his seat.
“That was awesome! Did you write that?” I asked him after he’d sat back down.
“Yeah,” he said. I leaned over and kissed him. He pulled me into his arms as Pastor Dom got up to preach.
“Grace! Wow! What a beautiful song, Branson!” The worship team filtered down into their seats as Pastor Dom set his Ipad on the pulpit.
“God is not a bully!” Pastor Dom began and slapped the pulpit. “Do you know that? How many times do we see God like that 5th grade bully who knocks us down? I’m here to tell you today, that God is good! He’s not a mean Daddy!” Pastor Dom paced. I leaned against Branson with a smile.
“As long as you have a messed up view of who God is the devil can keep you bound and in defeat! When we view God as this big bully in the sky, of course we will withdraw from Him, because we think He’s just out to smite us. Right, George?” Pastor Dom pointed at an older man on the first row. George nodded.
“Do you really think as a dad you would go to your kid when they messed up and give them a disease? Of course not! Why do we think we are a better father than God? Isn’t that messed up?”
I watched my dad shift in his seat. Everything Pastor Dom said always made my dad uncomfortable, but I could tell he was getting some of it.
“Let’s look at this verse here. Romans 3:20-24 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Pastor Dom read, and then looked at the congregation with a grin.
“Let me explain that to you. Everyone likes to read that verse that says, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That’s the famous verse in the church today. But! But, there is more to that verse than meets the eye!” Pastor Dom slapped the pulpit.
“What does the rest of that verse say, Sarah?” he asked.
“It says, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Sarah said into Pastor Dom’s microphone.
“Wait, so it says being justified freely by His grace. We are justified. What does justified mean?” Pastor Dom was starting to jump now. I giggled.
“Justified means ‘just as if I’d never sinned’ Say what? So let’s read that part again! being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. So we are justified freely by His grace through Christ Jesus. So it’s not me who earns that gift of grace and redemption, Tom? You mean I don’t have to toil and sweat and beat myself up to be justified before God?” Pastor Dom went back to his pulpit and lifted his hands up into the air. People began to clap and shout.
“I don’t have to keep every law in the Old Testament to be redeemed?” Pastor Dom asked, and he bent down to look at some of the people on the front row.
“You mean I can’t earn my salvation, guys? It’s just by the grace of God I am justified?” He was laughing and ran back to the pulpit. “Whew! Now that’s good news! Wouldn’t you say so?” he asked while literally jumping up and down. “Isn’t that good news!” People began to respond to his excitement. I watched as the band ran back up on the stage as Pastor Dom started spinning.
“I said, isn’t that good news!” Something shifted in the air. An explosion of freedom, peace, love, and wow! I couldn’t even put it into words what happened in that moment. The music burst from the speakers as the worship started building into this crescendo. People began to rush the alters of God. I let go of Branson’s hand and ran up front to worship the God who redeemed me from the curse! I didn’t have to earn my salvation; I didn’t have to earn His love! I was justified freely by the cross! All the things I’d been learning just began to build this gratefulness in my heart, this strong love for God. I threw up my hands as others still ran up front worshiping our God.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my parents walk up front and lift their hands to heaven. Wow! Tears began to trickle down my face. Pastor Dom was laughing and dancing as the music continued to build. I watched as Pastor Dom began to minister to people, laying hands on everyone, and praising God. My feet wouldn’t sit still, and I started jumping up and down with my hands lifted high. Branson joined me a few seconds after I’d run up front.
The worship team began to sing with all their hearts, a love song that went deep into my heart. I love you, Zoe. I love you, God said, and I grinned because now I know it’s true. I believe it now! I believe it!
Chapter 30
After church, we headed over to my mom and dad’s house with the girls. I could still feel the presence of God all over me, and was thoroughly enjoying it. We walked into the house.
“Papa!” the twins squealed together as they ran toward my dad. Me and Branson weren’t hitched yet, but the girls liked calling my dad that, and he loved it. I’d moved back in with my parents. I often thought about Mia and prayed for her because Tomas and she had gotten a divorce. She’d moved in with Alison, who preached to her about the grace of God constantly. Mia hadn’t started going to Grace Alive yet, but I knew God was moving on her heart. The girls jumped onto my dad’s lap, and he laughed.
“Hey, little peanuts!” He kissed both their heads and cuddled them against him. It still amazed me when I watched my dad give affection. He’d never shown much to me growing up, and I think he was trying to make up for it.
“Do you want to go for a drive?” Branson asked.
“Right now?” I asked looking around the living
room.
“Yeah, right now.” He exchanged a knowing look with my dad, and the corner of my mouth went into a smile. What was going on?
“Its fine, Zoe, we’ll watch the kids,” my dad said as he tickled the little girls. My mom peeked her head out of the kitchen with a grin. Everyone was acting shifty.
“Sure, why not.” We went back outside in the crisp air, and Branson opened the door for me. Wow, maybe he had a little bit of Prince Charming in there. I smiled to myself. He climbed in beside me and smiled.
“Ready?”
“Where we going?” I asked as he pulled out of my parents’ driveway.
“It’s a secret,” he whispered as we cruised along. We went for several miles, him fidgeting like a preschooler who had to pee, and me trying to figure out what the heck he was doing. We pulled up to the beach, Lake Michigan stretched out before us. These mounds of ice twisted up on the shore like monuments. It took my breath away. I’d never been to the beach in the winter before.
“Come on.” Branson opened his door and got out. He came to the other side and grabbed my hand the moment I stepped onto the snow. I barely had time to shut the door before he dragged me to the shore. I was laughing by the time we got near these ice sculpture things the waves had created. Wow! Branson could hardly contain himself. With the wind playing with my hair, the sun barely peeking out from behind the clouds, Branson Tate got down on both knees in front of me. He pulled out a little black box and opened it. Emotions like I’d never felt in my life began to rocket through me. Joy, happiness, completion, extreme love like I’d never felt before was zigzagging through my heart.
“Zoe Grace Reed, will you marry me?” His eyes shimmered with a deep love. At first I was so overwhelmed by the beauty, love, and just joy that I didn’t say anything. Then I realized he’d asked me something really important.
“Yes!” I shouted and started jumping up and down and clapping. “Yes! Branson, yes!” I said again and pulled him into my arms. I brought his face toward mine and kissed him long and passionately. His arms surrounded me, and he was laughing as I kissed his face off.
“Wow! That was so much easier than I thought!”
“What did you think I’d say, get lost, buddy?” I said with a laugh. I held him back and stared up at his handsome face. He then brought my lips to his again and whispered, “I love you, Zoe. You just made me the happiest man alive.”
We drove back to my parents’ house with me glowing and grinning from ear to ear. I kept staring at the ring Branson got me. It was stunning. It was a marquee cut diamond with tiny diamonds on the side that wrapped all around the band. I can’t believe I was going to be getting married! Ah! I grabbed Branson’s hand and rubbed his knuckles.
“I love you, Branson, do you know that?”
“Yeah, I figured that out, because you said yes,” he said with a laugh. I lightly hit his arm.
“I could change my mind,” I teased him.
“I think you like that sparkly ring too much!” We pulled back up into my parents’ driveway, and I practically flew out of the car.
“Whoa!” Branson said as he shut the door and hurried after me. I had to show this rock off! I ran inside the house and straight toward my mom.
“Mom!” I yelled and started jumping up and down squealing. She was smiling. Apparently this was planned.
“Guess what?” I asked even though I knew she knew what I was going to say.
“What, Zoe?” she asked. My dad and the girls came into the kitchen.
“I’m getting married! Ah!” I screamed again, and the little girls started jumping with me.
***
Branson and I were planning our wedding in three months! Ah! I was so excited! I went into the kitchen and pulled out my binder. I was trying to be organized with my wedding. My mom smiled and sat across from me.
“Mom, do you want to help me pick out my invites?” I asked her. She nodded, and I scooted a book at her. She poured over the invitations, and I saw tears drip down her cheeks.
“Mom? You okay?” I asked.
“I’m just really happy for you, Zoe. Despite what your father and I did to you, you still followed the voice of God. I’m really proud of you.” She pointed at a silver and white invitation and nudged the book toward me.
“What about that one, sweetie?” she asked. It was very elegant. Wow it was perfect! I nodded up and down.
“That was too easy!” I said and laughed. “I think I’ll have them ordered this week.” I pulled out more books, and we started picking out everything I needed. I heard footsteps at the edge of the kitchen and looked up. Branson stood there. My heart leapt. He was so handsome. So perfect for me.
“Better get in here quick or the rugrats are going to eat your dad.”
I came to Branson and kissed him full on the mouth. He wrapped me up in his arms and then looked over at my mom.
“PDA, Zoe, babe,” he mumbled through my lips.
“I don’t care, they can get used to me making out with you.”
“Okay, but seriously, those girls are going to eat your dad.” He laughed and held me out and turned me toward the living room. CC and Evie were putting bows in my dad’s hair. I started giggling.
“We better go save him.”
Chapter 31
Breathe. Breathe Zoe, breathe. I stood outside the door of the sanctuary of our old building. The new pastor of the church had graciously allowed us to rent it. My dad was standing beside me trying really hard not to lose it.
“You look so beautiful, Zoe. I’m so proud of the woman of God you’ve become.” He kissed my cheek and tears came to my eyes.
“Dad! You’re going to make me bawl! Stop!” I scolded as I brushed my gathered tears away.
“I just messed up with you for so long. I really want you to know how proud I am of you.”
“Thanks, Daddy,” I said and forced my tears away. I didn’t want streaks down my cheeks as I made my way down the aisle.
“Ready, baby?” he asked me. He looked so handsome in his tux. CC, Evie, and Bree Bree walked down the aisle, their hair curled in soft ringlets, wearing tutu like dresses, and clutching lacy baskets. Bree Bree walked unsteadily, but CC helped her. They dropped petals as soft music played, and then they just ran down the aisle giggling toward their daddy. He chuckled as they came and sat at his feet. Bree started throwing her flowers all over the place.
“Flow—er. Flow—er,” she said, and the crowd all oohed and awed.
“All arise,” Pastor Dom said with a grin. The bridal march started playing, and I gulped. This was it! My eyes locked onto Branson who was smiling at me. My breath was taken from my body. How could I have been so blessed?
This was always my plan, Zoe. I wanted to show you My love. I love you, daughter, I love you. I felt my whole face break out into a huge smile at God’s words. My dad was sniffling beside me as we walked down the aisle. My sleeveless white dress was embedded with thousands of glittering gems; the train was long and swept over the ground behind me like a flowing river. My hair was curled softly around my face, and a veil rested on the back of my head adorned with more shimmering gems. I felt like a princess today.
I saw my mom sitting on the side wearing a beautiful, pale pink dress that sparkled, her hair pinned up in exquisite curls. Tears were sparkling on her cheeks as she smiled at me. Alison and Mia stood up front wearing turquoise, one shoulder strap dresses, that ruffled to their knees, and silver heels that crisscrossed on their ankles. They both watched me with excitement on their faces.
We made it all the way down the aisle and stopped. Pastor Dom looked at me with a look of pure joy.
“Who gives this woman to this man?”
“Her mother and I,” my dad said with tears in his voice. He kissed my cheek and whispered, “I love you, Zoe.” He then went and sat down. Branson walked down the steps and came to me. I took his hand, and we walked up onto the stage. Branson’s look melted me and made me tear up again.
“You look
beautiful.”
“You too,”
“Thanks I try,” he joked. Pastor Dom continued the ceremony. We took communion, exchanged vows, and rings. It was almost the big finale. I had prepared something for the girls.
“CC, Evie, and Bree come here,” I called to them. They came running from where they had been sitting on the steps. They all wrapped their arms around my waist.
I bent down to them, in my hand three roses.
“These are for you.” I handed one to each of them. “I want to read something to you, my beautiful girls. This is called Child of My Heart by Cindi Markham. Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone. Yet a child of my heart, that I call my own. On the day you were born, looking down from above, God wrapped you up warm in blankets of love. He knew that your life was destined to be, entwined with my heart, so He gave you to me. To love you, to raise you, as one of my own to give you a place to always call home. No matter the distance or time spent apart wherever life takes you, you’ll be in my heart. For God joined our lives and caused you to be a part of my world, and my family.” After I’d read the poem, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the building.
“Okay, this is the best part, Branson! I know you’ve been just itching for this!” Pastor Dom said as the little girls ran to the front row to join my mom.
“With the power invested in me by the state of Michigan I now pronounce you man and wife! You may kiss your bride! Wahoo!” As the words left Pastor Dom’s mouth, Branson’s lips found mine in the most amazing kiss on the planet. I felt like I was going to burst with joy! He dipped me down, and we continued to kiss until everyone was shouting and cat calling. I blushed as he pulled me back up.
Grace Alive: a Christian Romance Page 17
