Micah still hadn't gotten used to the idea of having an office where he could meet with ministry leaders, hold counseling sessions with members, and conduct other business.
Now that New Hope had space, he also had room for an assistant. Mrs. Billingsley, a retired executive secretary, eagerly accepted the part-time position.
After service today, she had tugged on his robe and whispered in his ear.
"Great sermon, Pastor. A gentleman who attended the service this morning says he needs to talk with you. He says you'll know him—Deacon Ames?"
Micah nodded and scanned the mingling congregation to see if he could spot him.
"From Standing Rock Community Church," he said. "Ask him to meet me in the office in fifteen minutes."
Micah sat here now, waiting and wondering what had prompted this visit. He was somewhat angry that it was occurring now, weeks after he and his members had been in desperate need of support from area churches.
Micah had been grateful for the outpouring of love New
New Hope had received support from congregations throughout metro Richmond, but he had noticed Standing Rock's silence.
He stood to greet Deacon Ames when he heard a light tap on the door.
"Come in," he said.
Deacon Ames shuffled in with his cane, looking the same as he had when Micah left Standing Rock Community Church several years ago.
"Rev. McDaniels! How are you? Thank you for taking time to see me this afternoon."
Deacon Ames extended his hand to shake Micah's. Micah responded by motioning for him to take a seat in one of the leather chairs across from his desk.
"This is a surprise. What brought you over to South Side today? Standing Rock didn't have service?"
Forgive me for that dig, Lord.
Deacon Ames smiled self-consciously. "No, no, Standing Rock is still on the move," he said. "Rev. Lyons is expanding our TV ministry overseas and is getting more and more famous."
He suddenly turned the conversation to Micah. "I've been hearing great things about New Hope and the ministry work you're doing over here, and I thought I'd come for a visit. I hope . . . you don't mind?"
Micah felt bad. "Overlook me, Deacon. I didn't mean anything by that comment. You know you're always welcome in the Lord's house. I'm just the shepherd here; the doors are open to anyone."
Deacon Ames remained silent, but nodded.
"In fact," Micah said, "I think I've seen other Standing Rock members visiting in recent weeks. None has come over to say hello, but I've seen some familiar faces. It's a blessing that God isn't confined to one sanctuary, one style of worship, or one type of ministry. He's like the pearls my wife is always talking about—multicolored, multilayered, and offering something for everyone, in just the way their needs should be met."
Deacon Ames looked at Micah and smiled. "You're a good man, Rev. McDaniels."
Micah raised an eyebrow. "Where did that come from?"
Deacon Ames leaned forward on his cane.
"I wanted to meet with you today, after sitting in the service and being blessed by your sermon, to apologize for the way I treated you when you left Standing Rock."
Did Deacon Ames just apologize to me? This must be the day after never.
Micah wanted to ask him to repeat himself. Instead, he came around the desk, and Deacon Ames hugged him. Micah towered over the elderly man; his head reached just above Micah's chest.
As they embraced, the deacon began to weep.
Startled, Micah pulled away. He helped Deacon Ames settle back into his chair and took the seat next to him.
"Is everything okay, Deacon? Do you need me to pray with you?"
Deacon Ames pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his face. He looked down at his hands, obviously embarrassed by his outburst.
Micah sensed that the deacon didn't want to say too much. He waited.
When Deacon Ames raised his head, he looked at Micah and exhaled.
"Sorry about that, Reverend. You know, if you'd be willing to pray with me, I would appreciate it. I found out last month that I have colon cancer."
Micah sat forward and touched Deacon Ames's shoulder.
The older man tried to smile. "Only a few people know, and Rev. Jason Lyons isn't one of them. I've left him message after message to call me, but he's too busy being fitted for custom suits to wear on-air for the television ministry, or dating the women who are flocking to him. It's not the kind of news you want to leave on voice mail."
So that was it. Deacon Ames couldn't get spiritual guidance from his spiritual leader. Maybe some of the other Standing Rock members who had been frequenting New Hope couldn't either.
Micah didn't mind standing in at all. This man had been a mentor and a great help to him when he first arrived at Standing Rock. The bad blood between them needed to flow away. Micah was going to pray away any lingering animosity today.
"Deacon, I'm sorry to hear about the cancer," he said. "You can call me anytime you need me. If I'm not available right away, someone here will track me down or pray with you in my place. Let's go to the throne of God."
The men knelt in front of their chairs and bowed their heads. When Micah had helped Deacon Ames rise and retrieve his cane, he offered the deacon the chair again.
Deacon Ames shook his head and walked toward the door.
"No, I've taken enough of your time. Thank you so much for the prayer, Reverend. You and I both know that the prayers of the righteous are powerful. You are clearly walking in God's favor."
Micah looked at Deacon Ames's sorrowful eyes and hesitated. He didn't know how serious the cancer was or whether he would see him again, so he went ahead and spoke the words God was urging him to share.
"Deacon, thank you for coming to me today. It meant a lot to see you again and to pray with you. I'll be checking on you, but I want you to leave here certain of this: What may have been meant for bad has turned out to be for better. All that Standing Rock stuff is old news; I am where the Lord wants me to be. No regrets, no grudges."
Deacon Ames turned back to hug Micah fiercely before opening the door and shuffling away on his cane.
Serena, Erika, Tawana, and Ms. Carter had been sitting in the hall with the children, waiting on Micah to emerge. They looked from Deacon Ames to Micah and back again.
"Did I just see who I thought I saw?" Serena asked as she rose from her seat and walked toward her husband.
Micah pulled his wife into his arms.
"God is something else, Serena. That's all I can say."