And covers me there with His hand
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord
He taketh my burden away
He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved
He giveth me strength as my day
As they sang the chorus again, more tears burned at the corners of her eyes. She’d been trying to deal with everything in her own strength. Once again. Why couldn’t she rest in her Savior? His salvation was perfect. And that was all that truly mattered.
Everyone took their seats as the song leader and pianist took theirs.
A youngish-looking man—he didn’t seem to be much older than Devin—stood up at the front with his Bible. “I notice we have a few people visiting our fine church family this morning. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to you. My name is Peter Stevens, and I’m fortunate and blessed to be the pastor here.” He nodded and smiled at each person in the room. Whichtook some time. But it was clear these people loved him as much as he loved them.
“When I received the telegram requesting my wife and I to journey out to Utah, I have to admit I was a little hesitant. We’d always lived near family. And always near the city.”
Many chuckles filled the room.
“Since we are celebrating one year of fellowship with this wonderful group of people today, I’d like to ask the elders and deacons to come forward at this time so that we can pray over the future of God’s church here in Jensen.”
Several men maneuvered their way to the front, and Eliza found she didn’t want to close her eyes. The pastor and those men all knelt down at the hearth. A good many of the men around the room got out of their seats and knelt at their chairs. She’d never seen anything like it.
Reaching over to Devin, she grabbed onto his hand and bowed her head.
The most heartfelt and beautiful prayers she’d ever heard came from those men. They weren’t flowery or full of big theological words. They weren’t high and mighty and booming so that everyone could hear their voices. Most of the time, she had to strain to hear. But the humility and yearning expressed by those men was amazing.
By the time they were done praying, a good thirty minutes had passed. But there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. It could have gone on for hours, and Eliza would have been happy. Never had she heard such anointed praying. It was like they were right there, at the throne of grace.
The pastor opened his Bible and read from John chapter one. One of her favorite passages of all time. He read a few verses and then taught on them in a very conversational manner. He even asked questions of the group. And people answered! She’d never seen such a thing in church.
Devin had opened his Bible and laid it across both theirlaps. When she glanced down, it was almost intimate that he shared it with her. She’d been so caught up in the pastor’s teaching that she hadn’t even thought to open hers.
As the pastor taught through the whole chapter, she found herself mesmerized. It was a familiar passage, and yet it seemed fresh and new.
In that moment, she was hungry for the Word. Hungrier than she’d ever been.
He wrapped up the service, challenging each of them with the Great Commission in Matthew 28.
A renewed vigor for her faith swirled inside her.
As they left, it seemed like every person there greeted them. It was warm and loving. She’d never remember all the names, but she couldn’t wait to come back next week.
Devin helped her back up into the carriage and took the reins. “I would ask you what you thought, but I can tell that you liked it.”
As the horse went into motion, Eliza turned a bit to see him better. “I did. Very much.”
“Sounds like maybe you’ve found yourself a good church here now. That’s the best thing. Especially if you’re going to stay permanently.”
His smiling face couldn’t squelch the doubt that crept into her spirit. Permanently? “It’s a wonderful church. And I will gladly attend while I’m here. I am in desperate need of spiritual growth, that’s for certain.”
“Uh-oh.” He peered at her. “I know that tone of voice. What’s wrong? Was there someone you didn’t like? Did someone say something ugly to you?”
“Heavens, no. The church was wonderful. The people were lovely.” She bit her lip. “But it has made me rethink what it is that I am supposed to be doing. I mean ... he challenged us with the Great Commission at the end. How is my digging for dinosaur bones going to accomplish that? Have I been selfishall these years? And you heard what those women said out at the quarry. They don’t think it’s godly for me to be doing it. What do other people think?”
One side of his mouth tipped up in a smile. It was a smile she knew all too well. “Scripture also tells us that we are to do our work heartily as unto the Lord. Are you doing your work heartily for Him?”
“Yes ... at least ... yes, I think I am.”
