“You sure it’s a church?”Parker asked in unbelief.
“Yes.We sing worship songs.A mix of old and new ones.The words go up on a screen so everyone can follow along.”Fred left his spot and walked over to the computer where they entered the jobs that had been done and pulled out a notepad and pen.“Here.This is where you can find our church online.This way, you can scroll through a video or two and hear me playing.Maybe you’ll decide you don’t want me.”
“Nah, Sean here says you’re good.Said you were in the band in high school and everything.”He took the slip of paper that Fred handed him.“However, I’ll admit to wanting to see exactly what it is that you do at church without having to actually go to church.”
“So, you’ll get me that set list, right?”
Parker pulled out his phone and tapped a few things.“Sent,” he said as Fred’s phone pinged that it had a message.“Let me know if we need to make any changes.”
“Will do.”
“Oh, and one more thing.Do you sing?”
Fred blew out a quiet breath.Here it was, the extra that Parker was trying to slip into the deal.“I do.”
“Might need you for back up.”
“Just back up?”
Parker’s grin was sheepish.“And maybe a duet?Or two?The words will be printed out.”
Fred shook his head.“Fine.I can help with that, too, if necessary.”
“Seriously.Just like that?”He nodded his head.“You know, you’re maybe as alright as Sean says you are.”
“I guess that’s good?”Fred shot a look at Sean who had just opened the hood on the next car he had on his list to do for the night.
“I only and always say good things about you.”Sean said.
“He’s not lying.You’d think you were a saint the way he talks.”Parker lifted a hand in a wave as he walked away.
“The internet link thing was genius,” Sean said.“I wish I had thought of it when I was telling him how good you are.”
“I didn’t give it to him just to brag on myself.”He hoped that something Parker saw on any of the videos online would do something – anything – for him that would point him to God.
“Oh, I know you didn’t, but you know Parker.He needs proof.”
“Or to be desperate?I’m assuming that’s why he’s asking me even though he knows I’ll have boundaries about what I’ll do or not do.”
“Yeah, one of their guys moved last week, and the replacement guy flaked.”Sean crossed over to where Fred was.“So, just a heads up.He might be looking for longer term help and not just one night.”
“Ah.I see.Thanks for the warning.Are you working tomorrow night?”Fred asked.
“Nope.I think I’m going to the Waterwheel at eight.”
Fred chuckled.“You know when I gave up the worship team, I asked God to let me use my music somewhere.”He shook his head.“I’m not sure if this is where I’m supposed to use it, but I’m willing to check it out.”
Sean’s face was scrunched in disbelief.“I’m pretty sure God doesn’t go to pubs or likes non-church music.But then, the God you’ve always talked about doesn’t fit what I’ve always thought about a lot of things.”
Fred sighed.“That’s because you don’t know Him.You only know things you’ve heard about Him, and there are a lot of people out there saying all sorts of things about Him that aren’t right.You know I don’t push the church or God stuff with you.I accept you just as you are, and you accept me as I am – church and God stuff and all included.But, you should maybe try finding out for yourself who God is.”
“You mean go to church?”
“You could.Or you could listen to some sermons online.But if you really want to know Him, the Bible is the place to go.”
Sean shrugged.“I’ll think about it, but for now, I’m not sure I want to do that.”
Fred held up his hands.“It’s up to you.I’m not going to force you to chase Him down and get to know Him.It’s always your choice.”He grabbed the breaker bar and began working on loosening the bolts.
