Faith Unseen Page 3
“It was your sister who organized it though.”
“Anyway, who would like to start?” Faith asked and Brenda’s husband Bob volunteered. “Let’s pray.” He stated and began his prayer.
At Pickles Park on Monday evening, Nathan spotted Jeremy talking to a group of males across the way. He walked over to them and Jeremy introduced him. They were a team from around the neighbor that started playing basketball on Monday nights just for fun. Nathan was glad it wasn’t a league, he was an okay player but not outstanding.
There was a lot of ribbing and good natured teasing as the game progressed. Nathan’s skills were about like all the others. Jeremy was the biggest jokester of the all. He loved to have fun. He didn’t take the game or himself seriously. Nathan went up to block a shot and ended up getting hit in the head by Jeremy’s elbow. Nathan was momentarily dazed and stumbled backwards a couple of steps. Jeremy was instantly apologetic and concerned for Nathan. “I’m sorry. Here sit down.” He said leading Nathan to the nearest bench. “Are you okay?” Jeremy asked.
“I think so. I have a hard head.” Nathan joked.
“My sisters live just down the block, let’s go get you an ice pack just to be sure.”
“I’m fine. I’ll just head home and get an ice pack.” Nathan said standing slowly
“I’d feel better if you didn’t drive for a little bit. Let’s go to my sisters’ house.” Jeremy said pointing down the block. Nathan walked a little slowly as his head did hurt. Jeremy kept glancing at him to make sure he was alright. “I’m sure I’m fine Jeremy. This isn’t necessary.”
“Humor me.” Jeremy said seriously as he opened the back door to his sisters’ house. He led Nathan in and fixed him an ice pack and told him to sit down at the table as he went to find his sisters.
Jeremy walked into the living room expecting to find Leah watching TV but instead found six people having a prayer meeting for Nathan. He quietly retreated back to the kitchen. “They are having a prayer meeting. I forgot that Faith told me that. It is a prayer group to pray for you.”
“Me? Seriously?” Nathan asked incredulously
“Yes, its Faith’s way to support your ministry here.”
“Wow” Nathan responded unsure of what he should do now. That was what Leah heard as she pushed open the kitchen door. Faith had been in the middle of her prayer when Leah heard the back door open. She knew it was locked so she figured out one of her family members had come in through the back. Faith had finished her prayer for Nathan and then talked to the others as they were leaving for the night. Faith told Leah good night and headed for her room. She apparently hadn’t heard the back door open but Leah went to see if someone was in their kitchen.
“Hello?” she said suspiciously as she made sure the door was closed
“Hi” Jeremy said. “I about took the preacher’s head off at the park down the street so I brought him here to get an ice pack. I forgot about her prayer meeting for him.”
“She probably would prefer that he not have known about it.” Leah said uncertainly
“Why not?” Nathan asked
“Faith’s ministry is to help ministers as you know from calling her work. But she prefers to work behind the scenes and without anyone knowing about it, especially the minister. It is her way.”
“I guess I can understand that. I’m still very grateful.”
“Can you be grateful without mentioning to her that you know? She would be so embarrassed.” Leah asked
“I can be grateful without mentioning it to her if I don’t have to lie about it. In other words, I won’t bring it up to her.”
“Thank you. Neither she nor I would want you to lie about it. Faith will be much more comfortable around you if she doesn’t know you know.”
“I don’t think she is comfortable around me anyway, Leah. Yesterday she called me Pastor Lindstrom when I spoke to her.”
“That’s because I was trying to be respectful of your position in our church.” Faith announced as she came through the kitchen door. “I heard voices and came to investigate. Leah shouldn’t have told you anything. Jeremy shouldn’t have either. Yes, Pastor Lindstrom, I was having a prayer group and it was about you. Now that you know, please share with us if you would like us to pray for something specific.” She said turning to leave the kitchen. She made it to the stairs before Nathan caught up to her.
“Wait a minute.” He said as she put her foot on the first step “I want to talk to you. Let’s go outside onto the porch.”
Faith hesitated then turned in his direction. He took her hand and laid it on his arm to direct her through the door. On the porch he walked her to the swing and she sat down. Nathan took a minute to gather his thoughts. “First of all, you can call me Nathan and it will still show respect for my position in the church. I like to be friends on a first name basis with my congregation.”
“I’ll try to call you Nathan.”
“Thank you. Now, why are you embarrassed for me to know you were having a prayer meeting about me? I’m very grateful.”
“Oh, okay” she stated but didn’t continue
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“And I’m not going too. My sister shouldn’t have told you that.”
“Well, she did. Now I would like it if you did too.” He said coming to sit beside her on the swing
“Leah told you why.”
“Technically, she told me you would be embarrassed, not why you would be embarrassed.”
“I could stop the prayer group if you want me too.” She offered hoping to distract him.
“No. I can always use prayer on my behalf.” He said laughing slightly “Okay, I’ll back off. But know this, I’m honored that you would pray for me. Thank you.”
“It is my honor to pray for you.” She replied quietly
Nathan smiled at her “Do you want me to walk you back inside?”
“No, I’m going to sit here for a few minutes. It is a nice night. What are you doing here anyway?”
“Your brother walloped me in the head during our basketball game and then insisted I needed ice on it.”
“Oh no! How bad are you hurt?” she asked concerned
“I’m fine. It just dazed me for a minute.”
“You’re sure? Go back in and get the ice pack.” She said pointing in the direction of the house.
“Relax Faith” he chuckled “I have a hard head so I’ve been told, he didn’t do any real damage. I’ll go say good night to Leah and Jeremy though. See you Sunday.”
“Good night Pastor Lindstrom” she said automatically
“Faith” he growled
“Sorry” she laughed “Good night Nathan.”
“That’s better.” He said going into the house. He went to the kitchen and said his goodbyes to Faith’s siblings then headed back to the front door. “Good night Miss Newham” he said as he walked past her
“Good night Pastor Lindstrom” she joked as he laughed walking down the front stairs
Faith was still sitting on the porch when she heard the front door open. “Come on out. I can’t see you but I heard you.”
“I’m sorry Faith” Jeremy said solemnly “I forgot about your meeting. After I clobbered him, I wanted to get him an ice pack.”
“Did you have to tell him the meeting was about him?”
“I didn’t know you would be this upset that he knew.”
“Anyway, now he knows and I’ll deal with the embarrassment. I’m going to bed, good night.”
On Saturday morning a few weeks after his discussion with Faith, Nathan was pulling a ladder and painting supplies out of his garage in preparation to paint his house when five cars pulled up in front of his house. He walked to investigate what was going on and saw about ten people from his congregation walking up to his front door. They were carrying paint rollers and brushes and some of them were removing ladders from the trucks.
“Hi” he said walking up to them. “What are you doing here?”
“Who told you I needed help to paint?” he asked again “Who sent the email?” but everyone gave a different answer. “Thank you. I can use the help.” He said showing them the side of the house where he had the supplies. He told them what he wanted done and they got to work. About an hour later more vehicles arrived and they set up lunch on his front lawn. Those that had been painting stopped and ate then went back to work. By end of the day, his house was almost finished. “I appreciate your help. It would have taken me several weekends. I don’t know who told you I needed help but thank you to that person too.”
“We will see you tomorrow, Nathan” Tom Green said as he headed for his vehicle. Nathan waved them off and went inside. They had even cleaned up the mess so he had his whole night to review his sermon for tomorrow. Dear Lord in Heaven. Thank you for the person who organized my painting help. Bless them in a special way. In Your Son’s Name, Amen.
On Thursday, Nathan’s car didn’t start so he ended up calling the church administrative assistant and telling her that he would be in tomorrow. She could tell whoever called to call him at home. He told her his car wasn’t working and he needed to work on it. As he walked out the door to head to the garage, a tow truck service pulled into his driveway.
“Hi Mason.” Nathan greeted the driver as he stepped down from his truck. “What are you doing here?”
“I heard you needed some help.”
“You did. Did Amanda call you?”
“No. My wife called me. Told me to hustle over here.”
“Well, I think it is just the battery but I hadn’t gotten around to making sure.”
“I’ll look it over.” Mason said as he followed Nathan to his garage. Mason determined that it was the battery and took Nathan to purchase a new one. After installing the new one and making sure the car would start, he told Nathan goodbye and went on his way. Nathan changed his clothes and went to the church.
“Amanda, who did you tell that my car wasn’t working?” he asked when he arrived
“No one. I don’t tell your personal business.”
“I appreciate that. Mason showed up and fixed my car for me.”
“That’s nice. You had a couple of messages while you were gone.” She said handing him the papers. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She said leaving for the day.
“Bye.” He said reviewing the messages. He went into his office and sat down behind his desk. Dear Heavenly Father. Thank you for sending Mason to help me with my car. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Saturday morning, Nathan’s phone rang at his house. “Hello”
“Hi Nathan. It’s Jeremy Newham.”
“Hi. How are you?”
“I’m good. Leah said you wanted shelves put up at your house, can we come over and get the measurements so she can make them for you?”
“How does she know that? I didn’t mention it to her.”
“I don’t know; you’ll have to talk to her. I’m just asking if you want us to come take the measurements.”
“Let me call her and then she can let you know.”
“Sure. See you later.”
Nathan stared puzzled at his phone and then went to find Leah and Faith’s phone number. He dialed them up.
“Hello”
“Hi. It’s Nathan Lindstrom”
“Hi, it’s Leah. Is Jeremy meeting me at your house?”
“How did you know I wanted shelves?”
“I got a call earlier in the week that you wanted shelves. The payment was sent over the same day. I’m sorry I had to wait until today to have Jeremy call you. I’ve been swamped this week.”
“Who called you?”
“Tamara Banes”
“I didn’t tell her I wanted shelves.”
“I don’t know. Is now good for you if we come get the measurements?”
“Sure. I told Jeremy you’d call him once I talked to you.”
“Okay, we should be there shortly.”
Nathan hung up from talking to Leah and called Tamara Banes. She wasn’t any help either. She was on a long string of emails that mentioned it in passing. He thanked her for the information and hung up. Dear Heavenly Father. It’s confused Nathan again. I don’t know how these people know to come help me but I’m thankful. In Jesus Name Amen.
On the next Saturday, Nathan was getting out of his car at the church when lots of cars started to arrive. “Did I forget some activity?” he asked Pearl Newham as she got out of her car. “No, we got a phone call that the church was getting together today to do some extra cleaning for Sam. So here we are.”
“Okay.” Nathan said confused as he turned toward the building. Sam, the church’s custodian, was just exiting as Nathan approached the front door.
“Hi Nathan. Why are all these people here?”
“I have no idea. Pearl said she received a phone call to come help you with extra cleaning today.”
“I didn’t ask for that. I told my wife that you and I had talked about it in passing. But she wouldn’t have organized this.”
“Well, put them to work.” Nathan laughed “I’ll be in my office if you need me.”
“Sure” Sam said confused
Nathan walked into his office and sat down at his desk. Dear Heavenly Father. I thank you for your answers to prayer. How does all of this keep happening? Please help me if I am to solve this puzzle. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Monday afternoon, Nathan was in his office when he noticed an email from Faith. He saw the sent time was three am. “Why was she awake and emailing me at three am?” He opened it up and found a question from her about James and of course another apology for bothering him. As he was formulating his answer to the question, it came to him that she might be the one organizing all the help. He decided to go visit her and see.
As Nathan approached Leah and Faith’s house, he heard noise from the workshop so he decided to see Leah before tackling Faith. He knocked on the workshop door and waited for Leah.
“Hi Nathan” she said as she invited him in. “Checking up on me to see if I’m done with your shelves?”
“No.” he laughed “I actually just wanted to say Hi to you before talking to your sister. I need to ask her a question but somehow I thought I would get a better answer in person than over the phone.”
Leah burst out laughing. “I’m sorry; I’m not laughing at you. How did you figure her out so fast?”
“I don’t know. Am I right?”
“Yes. She doesn’t lie to you on the phone but she can make it seem like she is answering your question and you like her answer until you have time to digest what she said after you have hung up from talking to her.”
“That’s sneaky. Is she here?”
“No. She went with my parents on vacation for two weeks. You’ll have to try her later. She might return your phone call though if you left her a message.”
“Might? I doubt it. I seem to have gotten on her bad side when it comes to conversing with me.”
“No, you didn’t. She isn’t comfortable with people.”
“I’d love to ask why but I won’t. It isn’t fair to her.”
“True. It would be better if she told you but just know this, it isn’t just you.”
“Thanks for telling me that. I’ll see you Sunday.” He said leaving the shop more confused than when he arrived. He went back to his office and wrote the reply to her question and then sent the email. His questions to her would have to wait.
Friday morning, Nathan was in his office at church when Amanda showed Jeremy and Leah in. “Hi. What’s up?”
“You tell us.” Jeremy answered “We were asked to come here and measure your office for more shelves. Why didn’t you mention it when we were at your house?”
Nathan thumped his head down on his desk “I haven’t told anyone I wanted more shelves in here.” He mumbled
“What?” Leah asked
Nathan lifted his head from t
he desk. “I have not mentioned to anyone that I wanted more shelves in here. It isn’t something I need right away and didn’t want the church to pay for. How did you know? Who called you?”
Leah took the envelope out of her pocket and handed it to Nathan. “That was in my mail for my business earlier this week.”
Nathan opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. As he did, a cashier’s check fell out also. He looked from the check to Leah who shrugged then turned his attention to the note. It read Please see the pastor about more shelves in his office.
Nathan rubbed his hands over his face in exasperation. He folded up the note and the check and handed it back to Leah.
“If you didn’t mention this to anyone, who sent me this?” Leah asked holding up the note and the check.
Nathan shrugged and held out his hands in helpless surrender. “Honestly, I thought Faith was behind these “things” that keep happening. I didn’t know how she was doing it but now, I don’t guess I was right.”
“What things?” asked Jeremy
“People showing up to paint my house, you two calling to put shelves in my house, Mason showing up to fix my car, a crowd of people showing up to clean the church and now you two showing up to put shelves in my office.”
“Our sister wouldn’t know anything about doing those things. She can’t see remember.”
“I know that. And now she isn’t even in town, she couldn’t have sent you here today.”
“Oh yes she could. My sister can organize the whole city if she wanted too. I didn’t know about any of those things except the shelves or I might have put it together faster than this.”
“You mean I’m right?” Nathan exclaimed
“It’s possible.” answered Leah “I can’t prove it and I won’t try. But it isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.”
“How would she do it?” asked Nathan
“Nathan, I won’t answer that for you. I can’t really. You’ll have to ask her yourself.”
“I will. When is she coming home?”