Today was supposed to be her wedding day. Sunday, December 26. She was scheduled to depart to Jamaica early Monday morning.
Geneva walked down the empty aisle of her church. She stopped halfway, closed her eyes and pictured the church filled with guests. She wore her wedding dress, and she walked with her daddy toward… Joshua.
Her eyes flew open. She had to exorcise that man from her heart. He, too, had bailed on her. She sighed. At least Joshua had let her down her face to face. Geneva ran her hand along the wooden bench before taking a seat.
“I knew I’d find you here.”
Geneva smiled at that deep voice. “Dad. What are you doing here?”
Pastor Samson strode down the aisle and came to sit with her. He tilted his head toward the prayer jar. “I came to do some praying. But I had a feeling you’d turn up.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “You should be walking me down the aisle today.”
He patted her arm. “I’m glad you’re not marrying Josh. He didn’t deserve you.”
“Josh is the last person on my mind. I know that must seem cold, but I…”
“I understand.” Pastor Samson eyes twinkled. “Do you know the day I met your mother, I knew she would be trouble? She was so impulsive. Maggie spoke her mind. She told me about myself. She stood behind the deli counter and peppered me worse than pepper jack cheese.”
Geneva chuckled. “Really, Dad? Pepper jack cheese?”
He shrugged. “Deli humor. I think I had chastised her for moving too slow. As her eyes flashed, all I knew was that I had to ask her out. We fought the first years of our relationship. We fought all the time. But I knew that this was the woman I could argue with forever, even if I never won an argument.” He wiped his eyes. “I told her not to get behind the wheel. We fought about it, but in the end, I’m glad she went. Because Maggie lived. She died doing what she loved.”
“I’m nowhere near as courageous as Mom.”
“Yes. You are.” He stroked her cheek. “I see her in you every day.” He looked ahead to the podium. “That’s why I think you should have gone with Joshua to Vegas.”
Her mouth dropped. “Say what? I can’t watch him jammed up with those women and singing dirty lyrics. I’m sorry, but God wouldn’t want me there.”
“Genny, sometimes, you have to do what Jesus did. He went to the seaside to get his fisherman. You think he saw the cursing, hot-headed Peter?”
She shook her head.
“He saw the man whose message would save three thousand souls.”
“But what about Jamaica? I can’t see my mother’s money wasted.” Geneva lifted her chin. “I have my trip all planned out already.”
He rubbed his eyes. “I forget you also have your mother’s stubbornness. I’m only saying I wouldn’t think less of you if you followed your heart to Vegas.”
Geneva smiled. “Thanks, Daddy. My heart might be in Vegas, but my feet are heading to Jamaica. I owe it to Mom.”
He pulled her into the crook of his arm. “Make sure you go to Dunn’s River Falls. She spoke about going there. I’m scared of heights, but I would’ve gone with her.”
“Daddy, you could still go with someone else.”
His eyes went wide. His horror was comical. “I’m good with me and God. Maggie was all I needed and could handle in this lifetime. Some men only love once.” He gave her a pointed stare. “Women, too. You might have watched the love of your life walk away.”
Geneva clasped her hands. “I love him. I haven’t spoken to him since he left, and my heart feels like it’s about to split open into tiny, atomic pieces. But I know I can’t be with someone who doesn’t have God as a priority.”
Pastor nodded with approval. “I understand. The Bible doesn’t mince words when it comes to being unequally yoked. Maggie was more passionate about God than she was about me.” His shoulders shook. “I had no choice but to give my heart to God. I had to be baptized before she would even date me.”
Geneva’s eyes filled. “I want that. I want a man who is devoted to God because he’ll be devoted to me. God won’t let me settle for less. He moved Josh out of the way. I didn’t think I’d be grateful for getting jilted, but I am. It shows how much God values me. I’ve got to value God enough to put Him above my heart’s desires. I love Joshua, but I love God more.” She pointed to her chest. “I love me more.”
Her father’s eyes misted. “I’ve never been prouder of you.” He kissed the top of her head. “I thought this would be your response, but I had to see.”
Her mouth dropped. “So you didn’t mean that you think I should go to Vegas?”
“No way. You’re not Jesus. No daughter of mine is running to Sin City after an indecisive man.” He took her hand. “But you can pray for Joshua.”
Geneva tilted her head. “You like him.”
Pastor rubbed his chin. “He has grit.”
She raised a brow.
Her father explained. “While you were at work, Joshua came to see me on several occasions. We studied the Word, but we got a chance to chat man to man.”
Her eyes bulged. “You never told me you met with him. What did you talk about?”
“He sought me out. I can’t break the man code, but trust me Joshua survived my interrogation. I had some tough questions and I liked his answers.”
“Interrogation?” Geneva asked, grabbing on to that choice of words.
“I had to be sure of his intentions,” Pastor said. “I saw the way he looked at you and I know that look. That’s how I looked at your mother.”
Geneva blushed, knowing her father spoke the truth. She hadn’t realized her father had seen that. But Joshua hadn’t been bashful with his emotions. Even in church, he had found ways to touch her, to hold her hand. It didn’t matter where they were, once he was in her presence, Joshua had engaged in some sort of PDA. It had thrilled and excited her.
Her father spoke, breaking into her thoughts. “There are two good examples of Joshua in the Bible. I believe your Joshua will be one for this time. Now the devil won’t let one of his own go easy. But prayers will loose the band of heaven and move the hand of God. You don’t have to run after him. Every night and every morning, you bring that man up before God. Your prayers will travel the distance and do the job.”
“Hallelujah.”
He slid to his knees. “I’ll start off by praying with you.”
Geneva got on her knees beside him. “Thank you, Daddy.”
Together they prayed. Her father’s voice boomed in the sanctuary. As he prayed an intercessory prayer, Geneva’s heart expanded. How blessed she was to have a praying father. She also prayed. At the end of the prayer, they stood and embraced.
“I need a man like you for my husband.”
“Men like me aren’t born, they are made. Fashioned by God.” He touched her chin. “Daddy God’s got it. Joshua will be that man for you.”