Julie caught a glimpse of Logan and Michael on the deserted platform and ran down the steps. She flung her arms around them both.
“Wow. Is this the latest fashion in New York? It looks a little Asian,” said Michael, examining her. “Where’d you get the, um, necklace?”
“Oh, isn’t it wonderful? It’s my new favorite piece of jewelry.”
“You look a little different,” said Michael, cocking his head to one side.
“Oh, Michael, you have no idea.” She smiled and hugged them again.
“It’s so good to see you two. I’ve missed you both soooo much. Please don’t be upset with me.”
“Why would we be upset?” asked Logan.
“Because I didn’t call, but you need to know that I thought about you every day, and I missed you both so much.”
“Don’t get over-dramatic; you make two days sound like an eternity,” said Michael.
“Two days—what are you talking about? I’ve been gone for weeks.”
“Weeks—what are you talking about?”
Logan looked to his dad and made the “crazy” hand signal.
“What’s today’s date?” asked Julie
“It’s Sunday the 26th.”
“August 26th. That means I’ve been gone a little over a month.”
Michael’s eyes widened.
“August? It’s the 26th of July. You’ve been gone two days.”
“It can’t still be July. Don’t joke about this.” Michael held out his watch, and she fell silent.
“I think you shopped a little too long and a little too hard.”
Julie realized the truth of the timing and laughed uproariously. Logan and Michael exchanged glances.
“Michael, trust me. Really, I’ve been in India.”
Mr. Dove came down the stairs carrying the folding screen.
Julie, wait, you almost forgot this.
“Where’d you get that? It must really have cost a fortune.” Mr. Dove bowed slightly and said, Julie purchased it in India for a very reasonable price. You must be Michael, he said extending his hand. She purchased it for your office.
Michael gawked in silence. “It’s amazing. Did you say she purchased it in India?”
Mr. Dove nodded. Mumbai.
“It’s hard to explain,” said Julie. “I didn’t end up shopping, but I do have two gifts, two amazing, precious and wonderful gifts for all of us. I’ll explain in detail later, but for now, just trust what I say, even though it sounds impossible.”
At that point, Ravi came down the steps holding Sharavathi. Julie ran to them. “These are the gifts I have for us. This is Ravi and Sharavathi.” Julie was nearly giddy. “They were orphans, and now they’re ours.”
Logan looked at Michael.
“See, Dad, I told you. I told you this morning about my dream!” He turned to Julie. “A man came and held me and said I’d have a brother and a little sister—and that’s HIM.” Logan pointed to the platform on the train where Jesus now stood with His arms stretched wide. Logan scampered up the stairs and into the waiting hug.
“Oh, my God,” exclaimed Michael.
Yes, replied Jesus, looking at him.
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean….” Jesus smiled and turned His attention back to Logan.
You are going to be the best brother ever to Ravi and Shara. I have so much fun planned for the three of you. You will be marvelous comrades, inseparable; you’ll have many awesome adventures together.
“This is just like my dream,” squealed Logan. “You held me just like this!”
I did, said Jesus. And, Logan, I will continue to speak to you in the night through dreams. You will learn to hear My voice clearly, whether it comes as loud as thunder, He looked toward Julie, or whether it is a tiny, small whisper.
You will be a helper and will grow in love and kindness. You will be a tender-hearted encourager. I will show you the hidden pain in each person’s heart. You will make sure no one is overlooked. You, Logan, will be the voice that tells others to “look up!”
“Wow,” said Logan. “Mom, did you hear that?” Julie was too choked up to respond.
There’s more, Logan. When you grow up, you will bring My presence and compassion to the secular marketplace. Because you have a hopeful heart, wherever you walk, you will help rid your world of despair—you will lead others into hopeful happiness. Logan raised his eyebrows, and Julie was ready to jump with joy.
“Amazing,” said Michael.
Jesus took Shara from Ravi and walked down the stairs. He held her close and smiled as He gently stroked her cheek.
Julie and Michael, would you like to know a little about your daughter’s future? He looked at Shara. And you, little one, will grow up to be a woman of destiny, a powerful force in My Kingdom. You’re going to cause great fear in My enemy. You will not draw back, but you will run headfirst into obstacles. I will help you soar. You will hear My voice clearly, and you will shatter doubts, fears, and lies.
I will tell you My secrets, and when you speak them, it will set the captives free—free from addictions, fears, depression, and anxieties. I will fill you up with the knowledge of My Father, and you will feed others with this knowledge. You will rescue people from the miry clay and plant their feet upon the Rock.1
Julie wept and clung to Michael.
“We have an awesome future, and our children will surpass us. Our ceiling will be their floor.”
An older, petite woman tried to hold open the door while pushing a cleaning cart onto the other end of the platform. Jesus looked at her and smiled warmly; then turned His attention back to Michael.
Michael, I want you to know that your sister’s wreck wasn’t your fault.
Michael’s body stiffened and tears welled in his eyes.
“But she left angry. If I hadn’t argued—”
Michael, I said it wasn’t your fault. You didn’t realize she was leaving anyway. She had made plans to meet her friends at the mall. You had no way of knowing that. When she left the house, she started praying, and she had forgiven you—she was over it very quickly.
No one knew that a dog ran in front of her car, and she swerved to miss it. She didn’t leave because of you; she didn’t die because of you.
Jesus wrapped His arms around Michael. After a minute, Michael’s tears began to flow; then his sobs turned into wailing.
“She was only 16.”
It wasn’t you; it was her inexperience at the wheel. She couldn’t regain control.
“All these years I’ve felt so guilty.”
I’m here to put an end to that today. No more of those thoughts. Julie can teach you how to deal with them. I want to break your condemnation and grief, Michael. You’ve carried these heavy burdens far too long.
Jeannie is with Me, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s Jeannie like you’ve never seen her before. She’s full of life, love, and energy. No more adolescent angst, depression, or insecurity battles. Every second of every day she lives in complete joy. She wouldn’t want to come back to Earth. I’m telling you the truth, Michael. I’m here to set you free today.
Julie smiled, “Trust Him, Michael. He’s always right!”
Julie, I believe you should all head home; you have an awful lot to talk about, and I have another get-together starting now. I want to remind you to trust Me. I have it all under control. He smiled, handed her Shara, then cupped her cheeks in His hands and kissed her forehead. You are beautiful, My beloved.
He said good-bye to Michael, Logan, and Ravi and then jogged toward the brown-haired woman who was squeegeeing the windows.
Hello, Lovera, let Me help you with that.
Mr. Dove turned to Julie, Well done! It was a pleasure to help you find His lambs. Their lives will never be the same. Michael, Ravi, and Logan, you have a wonderful life ahead. He looked at his pocket watch. I’m off to My next appointment, and tipped his hat before entering the train. Cheers.
“Here, Michael, would you like to carry her? I’ll get the screen,” said Julie. She gently handed him Shara, who awoke and stared deeply into Michael’s eyes.
“Her?” said Michael, already feeling smitten. “‘Her’ just sounds so wonderful. Come along, precious; you’re daddy’s girl now.” He kissed each cheek and ran his hand through her thick hair. “She’s so beautiful—dark skin, black hair, and look at those beautiful, big brown eyes.”
“What do you think of your little sister, Logan?” asked Michael.
“She’s got a suntan.”
Julie put the strap of her dirty, damaged bag over her shoulder and they turned to go. Logan asked Ravi, “Have you ever seen this before?” He opened his hand to reveal a wad of Silly Putty®. Ravi’s eyes lit up as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his egg.