Chapter 5

Christian drove his team to the next house throughout South City and County. He decided to play it safe by sending another crew to Joy’s house. Christian didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable around him. When he visited her home, he wanted a personal invitation from her lips.

He reflected on his morning prayer and added Joy to his prayer list. Whoever paraphrased prayer changes things, was a witness to God’s blessings. When he had closed his Bible, the Lord whispered a scripture from Psalm 37, Delight yourself in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart.

Since his parents had drilled into their sons’ heads never to ask God for something without expecting Him to do it, Christian had replied, “My heart is reminding me of Joy Knight. If it’s Your will Lord, let her invite me into her life.”

As Christian pulled up to the address on his list, he added, “Jesus, thank You for working fast.” Refocusing on the task at hand, Christian stared at the home where the occupants had asked for food assistance. The house should have been condemned years ago.

Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out two envelopes containing one-hundred-dollar bills. He handed it to his lead volunteer with instructions to give it to an adult.

While he waited for his team, Christian chuckled. He wished he had seen Bethani’s face when she saw the biggest bucket of strawberry ice cream he could find. Besides that, he added extra fruit and two gallons of milk for the children.

Then he prayed, “Lord, I can supply Joy and her family with some things, but You God can meet all her physical and spiritual needs, according to Your riches in glory. Bless her, God in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

When his lead volunteer, who was a college student, returned to the van, he gave Christian the thumbs up, meaning the family was beyond grateful for the monetary gift. Christian silently recited Philippians 4:19 and pulled away from the curb.

Three hours later, Christian dropped off his exhausted volunteers back at the pantry. Many of them also received turkey dinner boxes for helping. As Christian climbed into his SUV, his brother Nathan turned into the lot in one of the last of four of the pantry’s vans.

“Hey, bro. Good job. We didn’t run out this year. It was two fishes and five loaves.”

Christian nodded, knowing Nathan was referring to those instances in Luke nine, John six, and Matthew fourteen in the Bible. “It’s all about Jesus supplying our needs, not secret Santas.”

“Yep. There is no limit or secret what God can do, but lay off the good-doers. We can never have too many helping hands. Mark 9:40 says, ‘He that is not against us, is on our side.’ So stop hatin’.’”

Since Nathan was right, Christian had no comeback. By the end of the night, the Hope for Salvation pantry had dispatched six crews to deliver more than one hundred Thanksgiving packages to anyone who requested one—no questions asked. Christian’s team had been responsible for twenty of those meals. The hugs, the thank you’s, the God bless you’s and the tears were what God wanted from man: to show each other kindness and serve one another.

To be a servant was humbling for Christian and his family. Of all the holidays celebrated, Thanksgiving had to be Christian’s favorite. It seemed to be the only day people were reflective—until college football games were televised.

Christian waved and headed toward his North County home, which happened to be less than fifteen minutes from Joy. With her address memorized, Christian wanted to do a quick drive-by, but that might scare her if she even found out before a relationship with her developed.

It was just as well. Christian was exhausted. His muscles ached from lifting more than he did during his fitness workout. Christian only wanted to collapse in his bed. Even a shower would have to wait until the morning.

Soon enough Christian strolled through the front door of his modest but spacious three-bedroom ranch home. He hadn’t flipped one light switch when his cell buzzed. Not in the mood for conversation, he snatched it off his belt holder. The number was unrecognizable. “Hello.”

“Ah, Christian,” the woman paused, but he immediately recognized Joy’s voice. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

Is she kidding me? He smirked. “Miss Knight, there will never be a bad time for you to call me. Did you get your deliveries okay?” Christian turned on a lamp, shook his jacket off and collapsed in a nearby chair. Propping his feet on a square ottoman, he settled in. Joy’s melodious voice was like Epsom salt in a warm, relaxing bath.

“Yes…well. I was kinda expecting you to drop them off.”

Was that disappointment he heard in her voice? Christian closed his eyes. Okay, maybe there is some interest on her part. He rebuked the cockiness that wanted to rise up in him. “In all honesty, I wanted to come, but you seemed cautious, and I respected that, so I sent the most non-threatening college students to do my bidding.” They shared a laugh.

“And they brought more food than I expected.”

“You did say you had four little ones at home.” Shifting, Christian got up and stretched or he would be sleeping in his living room. He yearned for a long bath.

“I don’t want to hold you because I know you must be tired.” Silence. “But is there a Mrs. Andersen who will be cooking you a Thanksgiving dinner?”

Christian’s body stirred with a deep laugh. So she was playing his game. “My mother, but she along with my brothers and dad won’t miss me if I have other plans. Do I?”

“I wanted to invite you over for dinner.”

Pumping a fist in the air, Christian mouthed Hallelujah! “Who’s cooking?” he teased as he began to pace to keep his legs from stiffening.

“Me!” Joy feigned a wounded tone, then laughed.

“You can cook? I thought Bethani was the one who was in charge of the kitchen.” Christian continued to rile her.

“Only when I’m teaching her a recipe or she’s baking cookies. So is that a yes or no?”

“It’s definitely a yes, Miss Knight. Should I bring dessert?”

It was her turn to tease him. “You can bake?”

“Nope. My mother can. I’ll bring a sweet potato pie.” They were about to disconnect, but Christian had to put his thoughts out there. “Joy, I don’t know why you came into my life—”

“It’s you who crossed my path, so I don’t why you came into mine,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to finding out,” Christian said before he disconnected. He grinned widely, too keyed up to go to sleep.