by Pat Simmons
Every staff member was concentrating on the project for Home Depot, to create several demonstration videos for its customers.
Valerie was tired when she returned home that evening, but her excitement at seeing David rejuvenated her.
While preparing a simple dinner of a hamburger and Greek salad, she called her mother who made it a habit to ask about David daily.
“I think it’s sweet you two are going on a church date.”
Rolling her eyes, Valerie sighed. “Mom, we’re meeting each other at Bible class.”
“Don’t discount church as being a part of places to go together, especially for Christians. Two saved people with growing feelings need Jesus more at that point in their lives than at any other time.” Her mother never failed to impart pearls of wisdom.
“Right.” Valerie ended the call shortly afterwards. After eating, she freshened up for church.
With her purse and Bible in hand, she eyed the container of meatloaf and side dishes for David. Doubt surfaced as Valerie gnawed on her lip, wondering and hoping he would appreciate her gesture, even if it was leftovers. “Just go for it,” she mumbled. Taking a deep breath, she wrapped it up and placed it in her oversized bag.
Once Valerie was behind the wheel and heading to church, she realized just how anxious she was to see David.
Could he be the one for her, or was this a passing phase? By the time she arrived at church fifteen minutes later, Valerie swallowed her nerve. She parked and gathered her things and got out. Excitement filled her as she crossed the lot. And it showed with smiles as she greeted other saints scurrying toward the entrance.
In the sanctuary, Valerie made sure she was in her regular seat so David could find her. Removing her coat, she knelt to pray as a symbol of thanksgiving to be in the house of the Lord again. Once she sat, Valerie glanced around. She waved at familiar faces, but David was nowhere to be seen.
Her excitement was seeping fast as Pastor Peyton approached the podium. Then when she least expected, David slid into the space next to her. He winked and she relaxed, prompting her to playfully bat her eyes as he knelt to pray.
When he finished, David flashed a smile as he made himself comfortable.
Leaning over, he whispered in her ear, “I’ve waited all day to see you, and I’m not disappointed.”
Bowing her head, Valerie tried to hide her blush. Her mother’s words came to mind. Thank God for church chaperones.
“Praise the Lord, everybody,” Pastor Peyton greeted his congregation before directing everyone to 1 Thessalonians 5:18. “‘In everything give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” He waited for the pages to stop turning before proceeding.
Valerie found the scripture and peeked over at David’s Bible. He had notes scribbled throughout the passage.
She liked that and smiled at the evidence that he did more than read, but studied his Word.
“We’re going to delve into what it means to walk in the will of God,” their pastor said. “Everyone has heard the term a strong-willed child. Tonight I want us to consider strong will, free will, and perfect will…”
Although the topic would make for an enlightening Bible class, Valerie struggled to stay focused. David’s presence was proving to be just as challenging. Carnal thoughts of David wrapping her in his arms taunted her.
Cast down every imagination that exalts itself against Me, God spoke forcefully.
Valerie shivered, snapping to attention. She knew the rest of 2 Corinthians 10:5: And bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
She repented of her wayward thoughts. Lord, I don’t want anything to separate me from Your love.
Blocking out everyone around her, Valerie overcame the urge to look at David and listened to Pastor Peyton.
“We forget that everything we have, the Lord gave it to us. Too much sugar will rot your teeth. It’s sweet, it tastes good, and we want more. And we’ll hurt you for seconds on that pie in spite of our diabetes—that’s strong-willed, hard-headed, and prideful.
And all the while we’re cutting up, God is watching, not intervening, but allowing us to exercise our free will, even if we end up making fools out of ourselves.” Pastor Peyton was marking on a white portable board as he spoke.
“Amen,” David mumbled.
It was as if she and David were on one accord. Maybe God spoke to him, too, because neither disrupted the other’s concentration. She liked that.
“That’s the wrong use of free will. Let me break it down this way. If you have a warrant for your arrest, using your free will and turning yourself in to the authorities sends a signal that you’re asking for mercy—”
“Teach!” someone shouted; others applauded.
“Think of the benefits if we use our free will in that way, surrender to a Godly authority—Jesus—and be at the mercy of the Lord,” he continued.
Valerie couldn’t write fast enough. Praise God she had refocused. There was so much wisdom to take away. The downside of the Bible class was Pastor Peyton limited his teachings to an hour.
His guidelines were based on adult members having to work and children needing rest for school the next day.
After answering a few questions, her pastor concluded his teaching for the night. “Does anybody want to be saved? Exercise your free will and come.” Pastor Peyton lifted his hands and scanned the crowd. “Repent of your sins. Be sorry for things you have done.”
A handful of folks walked to the altar where the ministers counseled, prayed, and escorted them to the changing room if they wanted water baptism.
This moment was the main attraction for Valerie. Her eyes always blurred when she witnessed a soul baptized in Jesus’ name. It was as if they were removing the layers of sin that were weighing them down, then slipping on a lightweight coat that held power.
As each candidate was submerged under water and then brought to their feet, the sanctuary went wild with praise. Once the excitement died down, Pastor Peyton called for the offering and gave the benediction.
“That was a great lesson,” David said as they gathered their things.
Valerie nodded with a smile as she and David joined others as they filed out the sanctuary.
In the hallway, David gave her a tight squeeze around her shoulders. It was the hug she had craved earlier. “Thank you,” she whispered in awe at how it felt to be near him. “Oh.” Valerie dug into her purse and pulled out the container. “This is my peace offering for turning down your first dinner invitation last Sunday—meatloaf and side dishes. It’s leftovers, but still good.” She shrugged.
Accepting it, David stared at the container. “Thank you.” His eyes seemed to dance with excitement before he grinned. He had the most perfect set of teeth.
“I hope you enjoy it.” She began to scrape the bottom of her purse for her keys.
“I have something for you, too, but where are you going? You can be sure that I enjoy it by watching me eat every morsel.” He leaned closer. “Come with me to the fellowship hall where I’ll warm it up in the microwave.”
“I thought our dates were Thursday, Friday and Saturday?” she teased.
“Woman, what did I tell you about a date? This isn’t one.” David patted his stomach and nudged her in the opposite direction of the exit.
Along the way, David spoke briefly to his brothers and parents while Valerie waved at some of her fellow sisters from auxiliaries.
In the fellowship hall, some people were having an impromptu meeting while others were buying a snack from the kitchen team. Valerie chose a spot for them. She watched, amused as David lifted the lid, inhaled, and then smacked his lips.
“Yes, a woman who can cook is after my own heart.” With a confident stride, David strolled across the room to a row of microwaves.
Choosing one, David opened the door and slid the container inside. After programming his warm-up time, he twirled around, folded his arms and winked at her.
God, thank You f
or this man if he is the one, she thought.
Valerie took the liberty to catalog everything about him—his mannerisms, the way his clothes complemented his physique and…she paused and squinted at a group of sisters who took notice of David at the same time and whispered among themselves.
This would be interesting. Valerie wondered about his interaction with other sisters at church. Was he a tease, rude, or exemplifying Christian love? Two of the ladies made a special effort to speak to David. Within seconds, the others joined them, vying for his attention.
David nodded, smiled, and laughed a few times before pointing toward her, waiting for him to return. It didn’t take long for the group to disperse, but not without eyeing her first.
Valerie’s heart ached for them. She understood their desire for companionship. God, You programmed us that way. She prayed softly for them and her.
***
Women. Didn’t they know that men preferred the chase—at least speaking for his brothers and himself? David recognized the flirt signals: the lustful eyes, teasing smiles, and gestures that should be shameful in the church, but he refused to succumb to any more decoys the devil planted. This was God’s house, not Satan’s. He wanted the real thing, and she might be the one sitting waiting for him.
David wondered what Valerie would say about the female stampede at the microwave. Fools rush in and David had played the fool—not anymore. Neither was he in a rush about a woman.
Post-Valentine’s Day dating was proof of that. But even God seemed to have a say in that. He wanted a woman who put God and her salvation first.
Focusing on the lovely lady at the table, David returned with his piping hot container and plastic utensils. He caught Valerie’s stare and held onto it until he was seated across from her. “Sorry about the delay.”
Her expression was hard to read when her only response was a nod. That was okay. He was a quick study. Reaching inside his sweater to his shirt pocket, he pulled out a small square box. Valerie’s confusion amused him as he slid it toward her.
“What’s this?” She seemed hesitant to touch it.
“A little something to show I was thinking about you. Flowers wouldn’t fit in my pocket.” When she smiled, David extended his hands across the table. Opening his palms, he waited for her to place her hands in his. When she did, he closed his eyes and bowed his head.
“Lord, in the name of Jesus, thank You for this fellowship and the gift of salvation. Bless this young woman, God, as she honors You with her life, and please sanctify the food that she prepared, and I thank You for it in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Valerie mumbled, “Bless David and his family, too. Amen.”
Touched that she had tagged him in on the prayer, he opened his eyes first. Valerie’s lids fluttered as he peeked at her mole.
It was as if the dot was placed on her face as a finishing touch on His creation.
When she met his stare, David grinned, but was in no hurry to release her hands. “You have to be one of the most gorgeous women I have ever seen.”
She seemed shocked at his declaration. Surely, other men had complimented her.
Tilting her head in the direction of the microwave, she commented, “What about your admirers? In my opinion, there wasn’t a bad-looking one in the bunch.”
She was right. “But I’m not attracted to any of them. There has to be a combination inside and out.”
“Why me?”
“Why didn’t you turn me away? I’ve seen more than one brother approach you.”
Valerie lifted a brow. She didn’t hide her frustration. “Answering a question with a question is not an answer, Brother Andersen.”
“Guilty. Please open your gift.”
A defiant lift of her chin meant she wasn’t happy about his avoidance, but he wanted to have that discussion another time. Valerie tugged on the ribbon around the brown box until it became untied. Once her dainty fingers removed the lid, Valerie’s eyes widened, exposing the largest chocolate-covered strawberry he could find.
She pinched the strawberry until she freed it from confinement. Her slow motion caused David to note the subtle shade of pink polish on her nails.
Valerie saluted him with the treat then bit into the strawberry at the same time he slipped a slice of meatloaf into his mouth. Somebody moaned. Was it him or Valerie?
One thing was certain, they both were smiling. “This is good, Sister Hart.” Suddenly, David wanted a home-cooked meal instead of taking her out to dinner. They chatted until he had eaten every morsel. David wiped his mouth and sat back. “You asked me ‘why you?’”
She nodded. “I did and I still want to know.”
“It has to be you, Sister Valerie Hart.” It took all of his willpower not to say more.
He might be attracted to her, but the feelings had to be mutual. She gave him the oddest expression as if waiting for him to say more. “And I have to be the one for you.”
The moment became a game of chess, waiting for the other to make the first move. Granted, he wanted to exceed the speed limit in this newfound relationship, Valerie would have to send him some signs.
Chapter 12
Speechless. That’s what David’s statement had left her—tongue-tied.
Although Valerie was flattered, impressed, and overjoyed, she wasn’t about to throw caution to the wind and go with the flow.
Blame her hesitation on the handsome baits the devil positioned inside the church to lure unsuspecting women. The devil had lured her enough when she wasn’t walking with Christ.
Now, walking next to David as he escorted her to her car, Valerie had yet to say a word.
At the bumper of her Ford Focus, David reached for her hands. He bowed his head and said a prayer so soft and so brief she missed it by the time she closed her eyes.
“Call me when you get home,” he said, opening her car door. Valerie nodded. “Okay.”
She turned and got inside.
When she was safely in her apartment, Valerie kicked off her shoes. Before she could pull her smartphone out her purse, it played her Peanuts ringtone.
She suspected it was David and answered without looking at the caller ID.
“Have you made it home yet?”
“Yes.” She smiled. His concern for her was starting to win her over.
“I’m serious about your safety, Valerie. Call me next time, please.”
He said it so sweetly that it softened the blow of his chastisement. “If you had given me thirty more seconds, I would have.”
“Sorry. Well, I look forward to our dinner tomorrow night, the Lord’s will.”
Closing her eyes, Valerie allowed his baritone voice to lull her into a comfort zone, then they disconnected. She didn’t trust her mind.
After she prepared for bed, Valerie went through her normal routine of saying her nighttime prayers, thanking and praising the Lord just for who He was and what He had done.
Next, she ran down her list of shut-ins, elderly, homeless, jobless, and sexual immortality that included child abuse and homosexuality. She prayed for those who were sick and those looking for the right mate.
The petitions continued. She called out the names of those who had requested prayer, then Valerie was finished, but she added her own personal request, “Jesus, I thank You for all the blessings I see and those that are foggy. Help me not to make You ashamed in my relationship with David.
“I know I complained that love has kept me waiting, but I’m in shock at David’s revelation that I’m the one. Help me to process fact from fiction and stay in Your will. If there are any blemishes in his armor, please magnify them for me. Thank You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Even as she prayed, her rebellious mind was shouting, “You know it’s God’s will.”
Valerie climbed in bed and snuggled under the covers. “Only time will tell.” With a heavy sigh, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Valerie woke before her alarm. She was refreshed with prais
e in her heart. “Lord, I surrender my free will to You today. Walk before me and remind me to bless others along the way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
She was about to jump in the shower when David called.
“I’m heading into the office early to get some things done before I take this lovely lady out tonight.” He paused. “A real man wants to pick up his lady. I need your address. That’s the way Dorcas Andersen reared me…”
His lady? David was starting to convince her that he was serious. She shivered. The hesitation she felt in her spirit like she did the night before had dissipated, so she gave David her address and said she would meet him in the lobby. “Where are we going, by the way?”
“Don’t you like surprises?”
If David only knew. You are a surprise, Valerie thought, but didn’t voice. “Sometimes.” They agreed on six o’clock.
In record time, she showered, dressed, and ate a bowl of oatmeal. As she was draining her pineapple juice, she called her mother. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, sweetie. How did Bible class go with David?”
“It was interesting.” Valerie didn’t have a lot of time to chitchat, so she got to the point. “Is there such a thing as a perfect man—money, looks, salvation?”
“It’s not about perfect people when it comes to a relationship. It’s about a perfect fit to your personality and temperament.”
“Hmm.” Valerie never looked at it that way.
“David seemed nice enough to me last week, but then again, I wasn’t trying to size him up for my daughter until now. For him to forgo Valentine’s Day to serve others says a lot about his character.”
“You’re right.” Valerie nodded and quickly straightened up her kitchen. “It’s suspect that out of all the sisters at SFC, he chose me. Why me? Did you ever wonder that with Daddy?”
Her mother laughed. “No, chile. Your father was the right fit for me. There was no need to question it. Love isn’t a two-way street, but an intersection. You have to yield and give the other the right of way…”
“Thanks, Mom. I have to go before I’m late. Love you. Bye.” Gathering her things, Valerie left her apartment.
