“Hey, Sunshine.”
The hurt in my chest lessens at the new nickname. “Hi.”
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Tears spill over. Though I assured Fran I’m okay with my parents’ request for forgiveness, hearing Jabari’s concern makes me realize that I do have someone in my corner. Someone who sees me and knows me. God blessed me with a wonderful friend who then turned into the man who holds my heart.
“I am now.”
I tell my boyfriend—oh, I love saying that—about my folks’ regrets and the admission that Dad didn’t cheat. I even tell him Fran’s comments about my pity apology.
“Wow, Val. That’s a lot.”
“Right? I honestly don’t know how to feel. I mean, yay, they recognize Jackie’s spoiled. And Fran definitely deserved an apology.”
“But you feel ignored.”
I sigh. “Yeah.”
“Then don’t ignore a single feeling. God will help you work through them all.”
I never knew how much I needed my boyfriend to talk aboutGod until now. I wince. Dating Jabari before he fully believed in God probably wasn’t the wisest choice I’ve ever made. I was so focused on being a good friend, then happy to be his girlfriend, that I never stopped to think of the potential spiritual ramifications.
Now hearing Jabari talk about the Lord so freely is freeing indeed. My soul has joy just from his encouragement and pointing me back to the One who knows every single thing I’m experiencing.
“Thank you. Thank you for reminding me.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Val. You’ve been pointing out the ways of faith since I met you. Being able to speak back into that is a privilege and an honor. But also, that’s what we’ll always do for each other.”
I don’t deserve Jabari, and I certainly don’t deserve God’s goodness. Hearing my boyfriend talk about Who truly matters and knowing I entered into a relationship a little prematurely shows me just how gracious God is. He could’ve chosen to let me live with the earthly consequences of dating a man who hadn’t surrendered fully to the Lord. Instead, God saved Jabari. Saved our relationship.
Thank You so much. I’m sosorry I leaped before truly asking You if You wantedme to date Jabari. But I’m so thankful thatJabari saw how great You are through my offer offriendship and standing by his side.
I’m so glad my mistakes didn’t mess up God’s good plans. He wants my full surrender. He wants me to follow His will. But His plans won’t fail because I do. He never fails.
Somehow this can all be applied to my folks. I’m not exactly sure of all the intricacies, but remembering God is in control brings me peace. It lessens some of the feelings of heartache I felt at Dad’s house.
“I’m so glad God brought you into my life.”
“Are you? Because I was beginning to think I was a wrecking ball in your orderly world.”
I laugh. “No, you shook me up in all the best of ways. You’re one of the reasons I can be more myself.”
“Every time you say something like that, Val Elliott, I want to...” He sighs into the phone.
“Want to what?”
“Hold on to you forever.”
I smile. Somehow being with Jabari brings order to my chaotic world. The plates stop spinning, and I don’t have to worry about what will fall apart. I rest my head against my pillow and talk until my eyelids close.
41
Jabari
“Put me in, Coach.”
Coach looks up from his computer. “What in the world are you talking about, Crank?” His brow furrows as he stares at me quizzically.
