Chapter 32
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power.
—Ephesians 1:19
It was three days after Christmas, two days before New Year’s Eve, the day of Ujima in the Kwanzaa celebration (with the principle being collective work and responsibility, building and maintaining the community together, and making our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems to solve together). Zachary and Gabrielle were at the hospital for Jasmine’s bone marrow transplant procedure. They’d sat in the waiting room while Jessica stayed with Jasmine. It had been a tremendous success and Jasmine was on her way to being well again.
But it appeared all of this had taken a toll on Jessica. Gabrielle understood how it would. Jessica had rarely left Jasmine’s side throughout the entire ordeal. Gabrielle and Zachary insisted she go home and get some real bed rest, promising to sit with Jasmine for as long as she needed them to do.
“That’s only if you don’t mind us being here for that long,” Gabrielle respectfully said to her.
“Oh, I don’t mind that. I just don’t want to leave her. You understand,” Jessica said.
“Well, will you at least go home for a bit?” Zachary said. “If not for you, then for Jasmine’s sake. She’s going to be sleeping for a while anyway. We’ll stay with her until you get back. I promise. We’re off for the holidays. I’m sure, besides needing some well-deserved rest, you’d like to get some things done for when she comes home. Because you know it won’t be too much longer now. Another few months.”
A huge smile spread over Jessica’s face. “God is so good! I’m still in awe of Him. Mere days before they found a donor, the doctor was preparing me . . . telling me it wouldn’t be too much longer before she might not be with us. Now here we are, talking about it not being too much longer before she’ll be going home. A few more months. I’m truly . . . truly . . . I just don’t know what to say except that God is good.”
Gabrielle hugged Jessica. “There’s nothing more to say. God is surely good. This is the exceeding greatness of God’s power. Just when the devil thinks he’s made a knockout, God shows Him the blood of Jesus shed for us and reminds him that he’s already been defeated.”
Jessica laughed. “I like that. And when Jasmine gets out of this place and gets to go home in another few months, I’m going to be sure the two of us find a good church home and start going to church on a regular basis.”
“Just make sure wherever you choose that you’re being fed the unadulterated Word of God. Don’t do like some and go just so you can say that you went to church,” Gabrielle said. “Find a place with some meat and some real substance to sustain you. And believe me: There is a difference. Being in the right place can make all of the difference in the world. It can be the difference between life and death.”
Zachary put his arm around Gabrielle. “Where we fellowship has definitely made a difference in both of our lives.”
Jessica nodded. “Over with Pastor Landris. I definitely plan on visiting there. Pastor Landris has been nice enough to come by a couple of times. He prayed a powerful prayer for both me and Jasmine. In fact, he’d just prayed and later that day, they called and said they’d found a donor.”
“Well, I can tell you now: We all would love having you,” Gabrielle said, hoping Jessica didn’t think it was because she only wanted to be able to see Jasmine after all of this was over. “Maybe if you decide to become members, Jasmine will join the dance ministry. I’d sure love having her on the young people’s dance team. She looks like she would be a magnificent dancer.”
“Oh, now, she does like to dance,” Jessica said. “I used to wonder where she got that from, because I’ll tell you: I am not a dancer. Oh, no. You definitely don’t want to see me twirling around a room. And if I do, you’d better move everything out of the way.” Jessica laughed.
Jessica went over and got her purse. “If you’re both sure about staying for a little while, I believe I will take you up on your offer. I need to take care of some things. I know Jasmine will be over the moon to see you both. And for sure, I know she’ll be in good hands while I’m gone.”
Gabrielle swallowed hard. She received the message Jessica was saying, without her saying it: Jessica trusted them. She trusted them enough to leave her most precious possession . . . the love of her life, in their hands. Even if it was for only a few hours.