“Speaking of the Brunswicks”—Rebecca glanced at Eleanor—“I felt a little like we were walking into the middle of something at the end of service.”
Eleanor’s cheeks burned. “Well ...” She sighed. “Marvella got it in her head that I needed to have lunch with the Brunswicks this afternoon. She was just being Marvella, but I felt forced on them and couldn’t find a way out of the situation.”
Rebecca released a peal of laughter. “That sounds just like our friend. She means well. But I know it can be overwhelming from time to time.”
Eleanor let out a breath, thankful she hadn’t overstepped with her comment about Marvella. She didn’t want to be a gossip. “It’s true. And while I enjoy time with them, it’s still been a bit ... awkward between Carter and me since the dinner.”
Rebecca pushed the swing forward with her toe and the gentle sway caused Eleanor to relax even further. “I know we barely know each other, but I want to be your friend.” She smiled. “And if you want to talk about what happened, I’m here.”
I want to be your friend. Those were the same words Carter had said to her a few days ago. She’d told him it was impossible. But was it? Even if she didn’t believe in God like he did or like Rebecca did ...couldthey be friends? “I could use a friend. And please ...” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Call me Ellie.”
“I’d be glad to, Ellie.” The other woman smiled.
“And thank you for your offer to discuss what happened at dinner. I’d rather not rehash all that. Carter has apologized and I’ve accepted. But ...” Eleanor rubbed her hands on her skirts. Why were her hands suddenly clammy? “I did have some questions about this morning’s sermon.”
Rebecca’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yes. Wasn’t it just marvelous?”
Eleanor bit her lip. “It was ... something.”
“That sounds like a serious kind of something.” Rebecca chuckled. “Did you have a question about Pastor Watkins’s message?”
Well, there was no time like the present to see if the woman before her really wanted to be her friend. “What makes you so certain that God exists and that He is who the Bible says He is?”
Rebecca paused, then let out a laugh. “Oh, Eleanor, you sound just like I did only a few months ago. I had so many complicated questions about the Lord.”
“I’m glad I’m not alone in that. And just so you know, Marvella has sung your praises. She thinks your conversion to Christianity was the most important thing I needed to know about you.”
“It is, in a way.” Rebecca slowed the swing and stood. “I’m going to go get my Bible. Is that all right with you?”
Eleanor nodded and her hostess disappeared inside. A few minutes later, she reappeared with a black leather book under her arm and a tray in her hands.
“Oh, let me help you.” Eleanor jumped up and took the tray from her hands. She was surprised to see a small plate of delicious-looking cookies and two glasses of lemonade.
“I thought we might need a treat with our conversation.” Rebecca sat back down on the swing.
Eleanor took a cookie and bit into it, sugary sweetness swirling on her tongue. “These are delicious, thank you.”
“Of course. Now. You asked how I’m so certain that God exists, right?”
Eleanor nodded. “And how you know that He is who the Bible says He is.”
Rebecca flipped through the thin pages of the Bible for a moment, then settled on a page. “At first, I was certain about God and the Bible because the people I loved and trusted promised me it was true. And in my unbelief, I figured that was enough. Like I could tag on to their faith.” She shook her head, tendrils of black hair framing her face. “But then I started reading the Word myself. I started seeing places in my life where God made Himself too real to ignore. As my faith grew stronger, the proof grew stronger too.”
Yes, she could believe that, even though it had been years since she’d read the Bible. “So you really believe that nothing happens by chance? That God ordered everything in place.”
“I do. I know some might think that unlikely, but for me it rings true. And again, I take it by faith. I believe the Bible is God’s Word. I have no doubt that He instructed His people who wrote it and they put down exactly what God wanted on the pages.” Rebecca pointed at the open Bible. “This verse especially struck me the first time I read it. ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.’”
Eleanor leaned closer to Rebecca, reading the words again for herself. She chewed over the words for a few minutes then sat back, a frown on her face. “I suppose that makes sense. I will say, of late, when verses have been shared, they seem to speak to me.”
The smile that graced Rebecca’s face was gentle. She reached over and took Eleanor’s hand. “That’s because the Bible is God’s Word, and He says it’s living and true. He’s using it to assure you that He’s real ... that He exists.” Shesqueezed Eleanor’s hand tightly. “But do you want to know the best thing about the Word of God?”
Eleanor’s breath caught in her throat. All of a sudden, she desperately wanted to know what Rebecca was going to say. She nodded, unable to speak.
Her new friend’s grip tightened just a bit more. “It’s that Jesus wants you to know Him, Ellie. And better still, that He loves you.”
The words cracked into Eleanor’s heart and tears flooded her eyes. After everything she’d done and said ... could what Rebecca said be true?
Could Jesus still love her?
