Benjamin, who was to Camille’s left, was on his feet engaged in the worship until he opened his eyes and saw the two couples taking their seats in front of him. It was Frankie and Karen along with Paige and Kevin. Although Frankie and Karen sat in between Kevin and Paige, they were all there. He thought how befitting a song it was for them to experience this morning. He closed his eyes and lost himself in honoring the creator who gave them unmerited favor, grace, and mercy.
He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair
After the praise and worship, Camille opened her eyes and was shocked to see their friends in front of her. Paige looked over her shoulder and winked. Karen did not move. Were those tears streaming down Frankie’s face? Camille could not be sure. Camille may not have been sure about Frankie, but she was positive his girl was crying.
Frankie reached into his suit pocket and gave Karen his handkerchief. His hands were shaking as he gave it to her. He was praying this would not be a repeat of last week. Karen took it and wept into it. Frankie was at a loss, but he was willing to do anything he could to assist Karen in her Christian walk. After all, she was miserable, and her being right with Jesus could make her happy. He was ready to see her smile again. As he gently rubbed Karen on the back, he took in Liberty’s atmosphere. It held a sense of peace while praise and worship were going on. He was excited to think this sanctuary indeed had a different spirit about it. He was hooked into the service and wanted to experience all of it.
Paige sat stoically and thought. Jesus had a lot of ashes to turn into beauty if her relationship was going to work. As far as she was concerned, she should just sweep those ashes right out the back door. Humph.
Kevin, who was raised Catholic, had no clue what to do during the service. No affirmations were read, and there were no hymnals. Oh boy. It was way out of his comfort zone.
The flow of the service followed its normal pattern; there were songs by the choir, offering, benevolence prayers for the sick, and then it was time for the Word of God.
Pastor Derrick Cain stepped up to the speaker’s stand that his aide had placed up on stage. It was removable as the church had dramas and dances that a stationary pulpit would hinder. He was dressed in a black robe with red trimming and gold buttons that went up to his collar. He always welcomed the visitors and thanked his members for coming home. He acknowledged the love of his life, First Lady Emily, and his adult children, and the clergy on his roster. Then he got into the delivery of his message. Camille and Ben, alike, enjoyed the way Pastor D. did not move from his podium. There was no running around, whooping, or tuning up to sing his point across. He simply brought them the word of God. Today was no different.
Pastor Derrick Cain’s Sermon
“Saints of God, today’s message will be from the Book of Isaiah Chapter 61 verses 1-3.
“Let’s stand and read it together from the King James Version. For those who do not have Bibles, the verses will display on monitors on both sides of the sanctuary.
“61, The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
“2, To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
“3, To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
“I first have to give thanks to our wonderful praise and worship team for breaking up the fallow ground with their ministry of songs. Their song has planted the seed for today’s word. I am here to add the fertilizer, and the Spirit of God will add the rain and increase. Now, Verse 1, has resonated with your servant. I accepted my call to be minister of the gospel of twenty years ago. Fifteen years ago, I became the founding pastor of Liberty Fellow. It is a fact that this passage, the Spirit unction me share today is where the name of our ministry was birthed from. Before we delve deeper into the text, I want you know the whole purpose of Jesus Christ coming to earth in the flesh was to set us free. It’s not complicated. He left glory, became flesh, walked this earth in human form to die for sin that had the world bound, what a man huh? The prophet Isaiah is a front of runner of the Messiah Christ. Many of Isiah’s prophecies were manifested during Jesus’ life. So today, I want you to be of good cheer. I come to you like Isaiah came to the people of Israel with good news. Now my good news is for a particular set of people, like some of the secular pop stars may say, ‘This isn’t for everybody,’ but is open for all who choose to believe. To determine if you are in the group, this good news going out to is going to take self-reflection on your part. Only you and the Master above knows your heart and innermost thoughts. So, let’s keep it real with ourselves today, shall we? The Good News today is: to the person who are down in their spirit (the meek), to the person who has a broken heart from a severed relationship, be it romantic or familial, to the person that is held captive in the prison of their mind, sin, or shame. If you are one of these people, no matter what has you bound, whether it is sexual sin, lies, stealing, drugs or alcohol abuse—don’t worry you are in good company today, because so were some of us. Before I accepted Jesus Christ, I felt I was in a couple of those bondages. But today, the Good News is Jesus’ blood that was shed and the fact that he was resurrected from the grave, gives us all the power to do a gift exchange. Now this exchange is not like the dirty Santa families play with one another, it’s not like the secret Santa. The Lord wants your dirty gifts to exchange with his beautiful ones. Our text tells you he wants your ashes, whatever you think you have messed us so badly that it can’t be fixed. Maybe your relationship is in ungodly state, give it to Him and he will exchange it for something beautiful and Holy meet me at the cross on the altar. If you are grieving in despair over the death of a loved one, divorce, or loss of job, exchange it with Jesus and He will give you a garment of praise. Whatever has you bound and imprisoned in your mind, hurt, pain, maybe a bad temper—exchange it with Jesus and get joy, hope, and peace instead of despair. Please stand, my message is done. It does not take long to give the good news of Jesus who wants to make a strength exchange today. Elders and Mothers meet these souls at the cross in prayer and for repentance. Praise Team lets have that song again. Oh, I feel the anointing! There is about to be exchanges in Jesus name.”
As the praise team started to minister through song, the aisles of the church became filled with people who were ready for the strength exchange. Karen Locke was one of those people. She squeezed out of the aisle past Frankie without a thought of him. She was serious this time. She would not be going back to that place of barely hanging on for a trigger from her past, allowing herself to sink deeper into sin. Although she did not understand it fully, she admitted she was a person in bondage to sin, wrath, unforgiving of herself, and self-abhorring. She wanted to exchange it all at the altar.
Camille was behind Karen. She wanted to be there to say she was sorry and ask for forgiveness of her best friend. She also needed to exchange fear for strength. She had to tell Karen, who was already broken from rejection and abuse, that she had a sister and a coward for a father.
Benjamin saw that Frankie was struggling with the events of the service. He knew that Frankie attended church, but obviously it was not Pentecostal. Benjamin went up a row and asked, “You alright, man?”
“I want whatever this peace is,” Frankie answered.
Benjamin pulled Frankie into a man hug. “There is room on the altar for you.”
As Frankie made his way out of the aisle, he motioned to Kevin asking if he was ok. Kevin put on the politician smile and said, “I will wait here with Paige.”
Like Hell, she would be waitin
g with him. Paige, out of sheer stubbornness, threw her head back with a scowl and rushed out of the aisle.
Ben smirked, whatever gets her to the altar.
Kevin took a seat with his face in his hands. The last forty-five minutes had simply been too much.
When Camille arrived at the altar, she was delighted Mother Ellen was with Karen. The two ladies were hugging. Tears streamed down Karen’s face. Mother Ellen was praying for Karen while rubbing her back. Camille made her way over to them just to be close to Karen. Mother Ellen saw her first and said, “Here is your best friend.” Karen turned around and saw Camille.
The two women said I’m sorry at the same time and then embraced. Mother Ellen smiled and moved to the next soul on the altar. Frankie and Benjamin were with Elder Samuel Carmichael in a prayer room. It was where people were taken who are new to the church or the Pentecostal way. It was a place for questions to be asked and answered. Frankie had asked how he could be saved and now understood—“That if you confess with your mouth to the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God'" (John 3:3).
Frankie accepted Jesus Christ as Lord in his life and savior of his soul. His new brother in Christ, Benjamin, was standing with him.
Paige stood on the altar with her hands up, wondering why did she just not go to the restroom. Where was Mother Ellen? Camille was always bragging on how gentle of a lady she was. Unlike this fool who was speaking in tongues in her ear, and her spittle was hitting the side of her face. Paige was about to snap, but she counted back from twenty. She needed to remain calm because this church meant a lot to Camille. Slapping this babbling old lady, who had now just stepped on her toes and her peep toe red bottoms, would not be a good look for her. Paige understood the message, and how to give her life to Christ. She didn’t want to. Therefore, she closed her eyes and just said, “Thank you, Jesus!” That seemed to give this desperate church mother some form of victory, and she moved back and started doing a holy dance as if she just scored a touchdown.
Paige was willing to say and do whatever the mother wanted just to get rid of her. Paige confessed Jesus was Lord with her mouth, but not in her heart. Her heart was filled with too much bitterness and anger. She needed her walls up because there were too many Julia Michelsons and other people who wanted to kick you down in the world. Paige had to keep her guards up. Camille was the only friend with whom she had ever let them down.
After church dismissed, Paige made a mad dash to her car without saying a word to anyone. She had to get away from Liberty Fellowship. She wanted desperately to stop at the first bar and have a drink. She cried as she spoke aloud to herself. “Dealing with church folks makes a girl need a drink.”
Paige was not against religion. She believed in Jesus Christ. He just was not into her life. When she was younger, and living with her Aunt Jane, there was a missionary that belonged to a sanctified church that would pick up all the kids and take them to Sunday school and worship service. She enjoyed going to Sunday school and started to pray that God would send her someone who would love her. Someone like her dad, whom she still had not met to this day, but back then she believed her prayers would cause him to look for her. When he found her, he would take her away from the projects, but that never happened. Instead, she was neglected by her aunt who only supplied her with the bare minimum of clothes and foods. To add insult to injury, Aunt Jane only helped her become pretty when the social workers would visit. Paige put in the prayer box that she wanted to be loved. She wanted to be wanted. She started to speak it aloud in her bedroom. Aunt Jane heard her praying and beat her with an extension cord until she bled. Nope, Jesus did not answer that prayer either. On reflection, by the age of fifteen and with no rescue in sight, she told herself she was the only person she could trust. If Jesus was her savior, why did he give her a drug addict for a mother? No, Jesus was not into her. However, she knew about self-empowerment. That is what she drew on when she was eighteen, and Aunt Jane kicked her out. She worked three jobs and put herself through school. The only miracle in her life that had not crumbled was her friendship with Camille. Paige blinked out of those tragic thoughts as she drove and wiped the tears from her eyes. She wanted a drink desperately and to go home and dive into her bed. But she could not do that. She had to go to the Adams’ house. Benjamin was adamant, and she did not want to miss this dinner. There was nothing she would not do for Camille. She was grateful to God for sparing Mille’s life. It was a good thing Ben and his mom were praying; otherwise, Camille would be in Heaven. Especially, if it were left up to Paige’s prayers to be granted. Paige turned on one of her favorite pick me up songs by Mary J Blige, “Just Fine.” She started to feel better as Mary belted out the girl-power lyrics.
Can't let this thing called love get away from you. Feel free right now, go do what you want to do, Can't let nobody take it away, from you, from me, from we-No time for moping around. Are you kidding? And no time for negative vibes, cause I'm winning.
Paige was coming around to herself. That was what she did. She looked into herself and found the strength to carry on that was all the exchange she needed. Paige made the right turn onto Mother Ellen’s street and prepared herself to be a supportive friend. Whatever Ben had planned; it better be good.
****
Mother Ellen Louise Adams was a perfect southern host. She had taken her church suit and hat off and was now wearing a beautiful gold caftan. She looked like a walking angel to Benjamin who greeted her with a hug and kiss. As Camille stood by Ben’s side, she could see the love Mother Ellen had for her only son. It was beautiful. Camille hoped if she ever had children they would be able to feel the love and warmth from her in the same manner. Mother Ellen let go of Benjamin and pulled Camille in for a hug. “Daughter, let’s get you comfortable and out of these stuffy church clothes. I have something you can relax in. I also bought you one of those La-Z-Boy chairs Ben said was good on your body.”
Camille blushed. “Mother Ellen, you did not have to do that.”
“Nonsense, child, you are Ben’s angel. We got to make sure you are all fixed up.”
“Well, I certainly hope we have not forgot about Benjamin’s true angel!”
Camille looked around to see who could have been responsible for that awful jab to her gut. She gasped as she recognized Mrs. Carol, Lauren’s mother. She had met her at church, and the lady always seemed pleasant. She sat on their row by Mother Ellen on most Sundays. Camille was frozen in shock. She could not even take a glance at Ben who had pulled her firmly into his side.
Mrs. Carol was about five-feet-eight-inches tall. She had on a black two-piece suit, black opaque tights, and black ballerina flats. Her hair was in a basic bob without any sheen. She had ebony skin and wore no make-up. Her eyes were filled with grief, despair, and contempt. If there was a hole in the floor that could swallow Camille, she would have had no objections in disappearing at that moment.
Mother Ellen spoke with a controlled voice. “Carol, you know Camille, Benjamin’s girlfriend. I told you she would be in attendance today, and hopefully, here on out. Daughter, this is Carol, a close family friend. I am sure Ben has informed you that she is the mother of our late beloved Lauren.”
Camille was in love with Mother Ellen’s compassion and ability to control the situation. It helped Camille relax. She extended her hand and said, “It is wonderful to meet you officially, Mrs. Carol. Benjamin has spoken of you and your husband in the highest regard. I’m sorry for your loss and hope to get to know you.” Camille thought she did a great job. She did not make mention that she had spoken to this lady at church for the last six weeks, with no reply from her.
Mrs. Carol simply shook Camille’s hand and walked off with what sounded like humph, but Camille could have been mistaken. She had finally taken a glance at Benjamin, and the only description that could match the loo
k on his face was that of a scowl. Benjamin asked his mom, without turning to look at her, his gaze was fixed on Mrs. Carol’s back exiting the room, “Mom, why did you invite her?”
“Ben, she comes over to all the big Sunday dinners. She has for the last nine years.”
Benjamin ground his teeth. He did not count on having to deal with Lauren’s mother. He shook it off and turned to look eye to eye with Camille while rubbing the outside of both her arms. “Are you okay, Cam? We can leave if you want to.”
Camille gave him a look of disgust. “No way, Benjamin Adams. I want to meet your extended family. I understand Mrs. Carol is still grieving. You can replace a girlfriend or lover, but she can’t replace her only daughter. It has to be difficult for her to see me . . . us. She will have to accept it, so no running away.” She pulled her arms out of Ben’s grip and grabbed one hand and said, “Now, all the other introductions have to be easier than that one. So come on, big guy. Show me off.”
Ben kissed her on the forehead and whispered in her ear, “This is why I love you, and the reason you are my love. Come on, and let me introduce you to everyone.”
There were so many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Camille could not keep up with all the names. Everyone seemed so excited to meet her and were so funny. They all had a story about Ben or Benny, which was his childhood nickname. Camille thought it was adorable.
The older family members spoke on how remarkable he always was, and how they knew he was going to be something grand. The younger group told Camille how supportive he was as he showed up to school talent shows and sporting events. Whether it was little league or college level, Cousin Benny was there. The teenagers of the crowd called him uncle. That is what impressed Camille the most because that title is never given lightly in anybody’s family. She felt like she knew firsthand about that because she had earned the right to be Nikki’s Tee-Tee long before her dad had dropped the sibling bomb on her. Benjamin took special care in introducing Camille to Tabitha. Tabitha was Ben’s cousin that Mother Ellen raised like a daughter after Mother Ellen’s brother, Jerry, and his wife, Diana, passed away in a car crash. Tabitha lived with the Adams from the age of ten until she graduated college. She was introduced as his sister and Mother Ellen’s oldest child. Tabitha was a few years older than Ben. She was married to a dentist, Dr. Ralph Jennings, and she worked as a dental hygienist in his practice. Tabitha and Ralph had a fifteen-year-old daughter, Kierra, who was a stunning scholar. She took to Camille right away, and when she found out Camille owned her own business, she never left her side. Camille warmed up to Kierra too. She promised to attend some of Kierra’s debates with Ben and to come to some football games and parades to watch her strut her stuff as a member of the color guard. Camille was finding her place in Ben’s family seemingly fine after Mrs. Carol went and sat in the corner.
It Won't Prosper: Parable On Infidelity In Marriage Page 14
