25

Friday night Adam was back at the Campbells’ Bible study group. It was great to catch up with some solid fellowship after a few weeks’ break. He was thrilled to report to the group what forgiveness had done for him. When they went through their prayer requests, he again asked for prayer that God would show him why He had him in Pine Springs.

After study, he went over to talk to Mark. He didn’t want to pry, but he couldn’t get Kathryn out of his mind.

“Hey, Mark. Thanks again for inviting me to this group. It’s meant a lot to me.”

Mark smiled. “It’s been our pleasure. The only problem is, it’s nearly impossible to get Ben to bed when he knows you’re coming.”

“I’ll come early next week and say goodnight to him.”

“He’d love that.”

“So, how’s Kathryn doing?” Adam asked, trying to sound casual.

“She’s doing fine, Adam. Just fine.” Mark seemed to be ill at ease.

Derek Lin came over.

“How was your trip back to China?” Adam asked.

“It was great to be back with my family again. I believe God is calling me back home. Many people in my country are lost, including my own family.”

“China is a dangerous place to be a Christian.”

“True, but I have such a burden for my people. I could do a great work for God there,” Derek said.

“Derek, you’re doing a lot for God here. Working for the Kids of Hope Club is an important ministry. I would love to be doing that kind of work.”

Derek brightened. “If you’re serious, I’d love to have you. We could use the help.”

“Could you use a volunteer in the evenings or weekends?

“Absolutely!” Derek grinned. Why don’t you come to the offices tomorrow and I’ll show you around?”

Adam left the Campbells’ house with a spring in his step for the first time since driving back from Buffalo. The idea of helping at the Kids of Hope Club gave him something to look forward to.

The next day, he met Derek as planned, and Derek showed him around the club.

Adam quickly got acclimated and was soon involved in a basketball game with a few of the teenage boys there.

After the game, Derek came over to him. “Adam, you’re a natural with those kids. Even with the short amount of time you’ve been here, they already seem to trust you. We can use you here.”

Adam, even out of breath and sweating, swelled with joy. “This is exactly what I’ve been missing since I came back from Africa. I love spending time with kids. Teaching the preschool Sunday school is great, but I can do more.”

“I think you’re right,” Derek agreed.

Adam drove back to his apartment, ready for a shower and some food. He prayed as he drove. “God, thank You for these opportunities. Thank You for showing me a little more of why I belong here. Thanks for guys like Derek, and thanks for letting me be a part of that ministry.” He paused, “and God, please be with Kathryn. Thank You for bringing her into my life. Please help her to draw close to You, Lord, and please show me my place in her life.”

~*~

With her carry-on suitcase dragging behind her, a box with Bandit’s things balanced on her hip, and Bandit wrapping himself and his leash around her legs, Kathryn tried to make it out to the car in one piece. She let go of the suitcase, put down the box, and scooped Bandit in her arms. “I’ll miss you, little buddy!” She giggled as the dog licked her nose. “Don’t worry, I’ll only be gone a couple of days. You won’t even miss me, not with all four Campbells ready to spoil you.”

Removing the leash, she situated Bandit in his crate in the car, and gathered the rest of their things. She dropped Bandit off with the Campbells and drove to the airport, her optimistic mood from the last couple of days quickly evaporating. She was not looking forward to this trip. Anne didn’t help, telling her over and over she belonged in Pine Springs.

Fortunately, the flight was uneventful. As soon as they were at cruising altitude, Kathryn flipped open her laptop and reviewed her interview presentation. Interviewing with a company that bought all of her projects meant she could present everything she was working on in full detail. Frowning, she read through the series of slides that represented her life for the last three years. Forty-seven slides.

Forty-seven lousy slides.

Guilt and shame rose like bile in her stomach. This was what she was so busy doing she didn’t spend time with her husband? This was what she did instead of getting to know her niece and nephew better, instead of making friends, instead of going to church, instead of finding out what God wanted for her life? Seeing it laid out on the screen put everything into perspective. She slapped the screen closed.

Her teenage seatmate glared, and turned up the volume on his phone.

She could hear the music pounding through his earbuds, but she didn’t care. Staring out the window, she watched the puffs of clouds roll by. That was what her career looked like to her now. Silently, she spoke to God, as if He were right outside the plane window.

“God, I’m sorry I wasted so much of my life. I promise I’ll do a better job making time for things that matter. Tomorrow morning, the first thing I’ll do before checking out the area will be to go to church.”

Fortunately, following up on that promise the next morning wasn’t too difficult. Kathryn found a church a few blocks from her hotel. Other than the blustery cold that seeped into her bones, it was a pleasant morning, full of sunshine. She stole into the back row of the church, rubbing her hands to keep warm. The sanctuary was filled. All these people came out in this cold?

The woman next to her extended her hand. “I’m Michelle. Nice to meet you.”

Kathryn greeted her seatmate as music filled the sanctuary. The congregation got to its feet, and Kathryn was strangely excited. She sang with all those around her. These were familiar songs, but she’d never paid attention to the words. Now she sang with all her heart the songs of redemption, forgiveness, and surrender. She bonded with these people as they all sang praises together. This was it! Why did take her so long to get it? She spent the rest of the service fascinated.

The pastor was well-spoken. He read familiar passages, but everything was framed in a new light.

After the service, Michelle turned to her. “Are you new here?”

“Yes,” Kathryn replied. “I became a Christian last week, and this is my first church service since.”

“It’s different, isn’t it?” Michelle said. “Now all the songs, the messages make sense. You’ll find yourself hungry for more. We offer all kinds of Bible studies throughout the week here, if you’re interested.”

“I’m only in town for this weekend, but I may be moving here in the near future,” Kathryn said.

The two women talked for a few minutes, and Michelle introduced her to some other members of the congregation.

Kathryn got some tips about different neighborhoods in the area. Maybe coming for the weekend was turning out to be a good idea. She bundled up and headed out into the wind, determined to scope out as much of the city as she could.

Instead of sightseeing, though, Kathryn wandered the streets of Boston with her mind churning. Mostly she was overwhelmed with gratitude that God would save her, but she was also sorry it took her so long. She found herself heavy with regret at her hard-heartedness. She’d finally found what she’d been missing in her life, in her marriage, and now Robert was gone. Still, she was filled with a renewed sense of hope she could one day be a part of the kind of relationships she’d always envied. She found herself wishing for a family of her own.

Her thoughts strayed to Adam, as they often did. If she’d realized all this before Christmas, would he still be back with Gina? She’d never find out. Glancing at her watch, she hurried back to her hotel to get ready for dinner with her potential new colleagues.

At 5:30 on the dot, she was in the hotel lobby shaking hands with Darryl Hanson, the vice president of research and development. He escorted her to his company car, and they drove out to the restaurant, where she was introduced to three other men. Dinner was delicious, but Kathryn found herself ill at ease from the beginning of the conversation.

“So, Kathryn,” Darryl said. “Gordon tells me I would be a fool not to hire you. I don’t like being called a fool. I make my own hiring decisions. I take pride in the group we’ve put together here. I don’t intend to compromise it to placate the boys from M. K.”

Kathryn pressed her lips together. “Of course not, sir. No one would expect that. You would not regret bringing me into your group. My record of accomplishments stands for itself.” From that point on, Kathryn found herself on the defensive. She couldn’t wait until the meal was over. After what seemed like hours, Darryl asked for the check, and drove her back to the hotel.

The next day wasn’t much better. While the labs and the facility were state-of-the-art and everyone was polite, Kathryn got the impression they weren’t interested in bringing on anyone from the old site.