CHAPTER 11
The evening was clear and warm with a few wispy white clouds scattered overhead as they made their way along the path to the worship center. Walking between Gabriel and her grandmother, Jesse looked up the path to see the Pastor lean in and say something to Olivia. The affectionate smile Olivia gave her husband reminded Jesse of just how wrong her first impression had been. Her misgivings about two people marrying so young had been unfounded. Jonas and Olivia obviously enjoyed a mature love and strong marriage.
Absorbed in her own thoughts, Jesse almost bumped into Olivia when she stopped in front of her. Stepping to Olivia’s side, Jesse stood staring at the throng of people packed in front of the worship center. She could feel Gabriel’s hand against the small of her back as they moved through the opening crowd to make their way to the front of the building where Dr. Haynes stood.
Jesse stood with the others to watch the Pastor walk up the steps and accept the microphone. After leading them in a short prayer, the Pastor launched into the topic on everyone’s mind. Tense faces began to relax when the Pastor said he does not believe the spaceship poses an immediate danger to the Earth or humans. Those same faces clouded with doubt when he shared his suspicion that fallen angels disguised as aliens were returning to Earth to plot a great deception. As the Pastor pointed to Biblical evidence to support his reasoning, Jesse looked around to see dubious frowns disappear and heads begin to nod in agreement.
The Pastor’s voice carried across the crowd. “The Bible tells us that before Jesus returns the world will be like it was in the days of Noah. In the days of Noah, people scoffed at God and humanity ignored the warnings of coming judgment. People were wicked, self-serving and violent while justifying their own spiritual and moral decay. In the days of Noah, fallen angels walked the Earth. Angels left their own realm to cohabitate with women.” A hush fell as the Pastor’s words began to sink in. Jesse knew what they were thinking. Would fallen angels again attempt to live with women and have children? No one moved as they waited for the Pastor to answer the question.
The Pastor’s face was solemn as he looked across the crowd. “I do believe fallen angels will attempt to deceive the world and the lie will be so clever that even God’s elect will reel in astonishment. I don’t know the course or method they’ll use, but I do know there will be a great falling away, great apostasy. Many professing Christians will turn from the truth.”
Jesse looked over to see her grandmother shaking her head before whispering, “Lord, help us.”
“Believers will suffer trials here on Earth,” the Pastor said, “but I don’t think we will enter the great tribulation.” Looking up, he lifted a hand to heaven. “We will be caught up in the twinkling of an eye to meet our Lord in the air. We don’t know the day or hour of our Lord’s return, but we know it’s drawing close. But whether days, months or years, we must remain vigilant and focus on the Lord’s business. We are to support and love one another.”
Closing her eyes, Jesse imagined the sense of peace the Pastor described in resting his head on the comforting pillow of assured salvation each night. The Pastor’s eyes burned with conviction when he said, “One thing is certain. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
As he looked out across the crowd, the Pastor’s expression softened. “Like every human that has ever lived, I will face God one day. My knee will bow before the highest throne in the universe. And like you, I have been given a choice. Will I accept life and bow in love and worship before the Creator, or will I bow shackled in dread and fear? I chose life, everlasting life. What is your choice?” The weighty silence lasted several seconds before he continued. “There’s nothing, absolutely nothing, more important for us to do right now than take time to reflect on our relationship with Jesus, our Savior, our creator.” As the Pastor’s chin drifted to his chest, heads bowed throughout the gathering.
Lifting his eyes, the Pastor looked out across the crowd. “Adam and Eve ate the fruit God warned would bring death. Death entered the world through disobedience to demand the lifeblood promised. God, in love and mercy, was born into His own creation as a man to sacrifice His life for us. The Creator of all things embodied Himself in flesh that was torn and pierced for us, for you and for me.” As the Pastor talked, he opened his arms. “On a wooden cross, God’s only begotten Son created a doorway to the Father. I can hear the Lord say, come, I am humble and gentle at heart. Come, and find rest, accept the gift of life so that where I am, there, you may also be.”
Jesse felt Gabriel’s arm go around her as she slipped up a hand to wipe away tears. The Pastor’s style of description, the imagery, was moving. His portrayal of Jesus dying on the cross was touching. Open crying could be heard as those accepting Jesus and rededicating their lives began to make their way forward. The Pastor moved down the steps to meet men and women, young and old to lead them in prayer.
Sometime later, the Pastor announced the need for planning before calling Gabriel forward to address the assembly. The warm smile Gabriel offered was mirrored back at him from the people he faced. He praised them for working together before listing several accomplishments. As he talked about the need for further organization to keep the shelter running smoothly, Jesse sensed eagerness all around her. Her grandmother was right. Gabriel was loved and respected by these people.
When Gabriel asked everyone to sit down, Jesse lowered herself to the grass along with everyone else. Using a clip-on microphone, Gabriel sat on the steps with elbows on his knees. He looked as if he was preparing to have a conversation with a group of friends. His eyes briefly met hers as he scanned the crowd. His voice was conversational. “Over the years, I’ve heard people talk about their reasons for serving God. Many say they serve God because they want to go to heaven and fear the alternative. And I’d say that’s a good reason.”
Jesse saw many nodding in agreement, but she wondered what the comment had to do with organization.
She turned her attention back to Gabriel to hear him say, “Others say they serve God because He’s their protector, their provider. And again, that’s a good reason. We know that God is a very present help in our time of need.” Pausing, he looked out at faces watching him. “Two good reasons to serve God have been given, but there may be others. If you serve God for reasons other than or in addition to those given, would you please come forward?”
Jesse looked around, surprised to see so many people getting to their feet. As they made their way forward, Nick directed them around the side of the worship center.
When everyone settled back down, Gabriel dismissed the children and those already working in childcare and those assigned jobs they were happy with. After that, he called those with skills and training in various fields. Healthcare, carpentry, different kinds of maintenance, gardening and food preparation were just a few of the categories called.
As group after group left the gathering, Jesse looked up to see the sun lowering in the sky before glancing around at the handful of people still sitting on the grass. Smiling, Gabriel said, “I guess I can tell you now. We’ve saved the best for last.” After reading down the remaining list, he asked people to come forward when they heard any job that they were interested in.
When only Jesse remained seated, Gabriel looked up from his clipboard with a look of surprise. “What? Not interested in any assignment? Someone hard to please, I suppose.”
Getting to her feet, she brushed off her slacks. “I have a special assignment in mind,” she said, moving toward the steps. “How about partner to Gabriel James? Is that on your list?”
“Hmm,” he said, studying the clipboard, “that would be a full-time job. Let’s see…partner to Gabriel James. Ah, here it is. Wouldn’t you know—very bottom of the list.”
Leaning in to kiss his cheek, she said, “Well, then, I guess you really did save the best for last.”
Back at home later that evening, Jesse rushed to cover the plate of left-over sandwiches and tidy up.
Drying her hands as she went, she hurried toward the door before looking back to toss the towel onto the kitchen island. Turning, she jarred to a stop before Gabriel’s arms encircled her waist. “In a hurry, Mrs. James?”
“Yes, to watch the news. Have they made contact? Has anything happened?”
He released a tired breath. “Nothing yet. I thought we might relax on the porch for a while.”
Curious, her head tilted back to look up at him. “What if something happens?”
“Then someone will tell us, or we can rewind.”
Noting the hue of fatigue around his eyes, she stepped back and took his hand. “You’re right. Someone will tell us.”
On the porch swing, she curled up against Gabriel’s side. The evening was cooling off and she could hear leaves rustling in the distance as if anticipating rain. After sitting quietly for some time, Gabriel said, “You’re restless, worried about the spacecraft.”
She smiled, thinking he had stated the obvious. “I’d say the only people not worried are those still fascinated with their own toes.”
“I guess you’re right,” he said, “but let’s talk about something else.”
Remembering her earlier question, she said, “At the shelter you asked people why they serve God. What was that about?”
“It’s about finding people to teach others. To do that, we need mature Christians to lead Bible study and mentor new converts.”
“Okay, I get that, but what does maturity have to do with reasons for serving God?”
“Everything. As I mentioned at the shelter, some serve out of fear, some out of need, but mature Christians serve out of love. Mature Christians love and serve God simply because of who He is, our creator. That’s our purpose, to worship and fellowship with our creator. I think that’s when we’re most content and at peace, when we fulfill our true purpose.”
“That makes sense,” Jesse said. Thinking about how she’d changed since accepting Christ, she said, Before I was saved, I was anxious, restless, I felt like something was missing without knowing what.”
He nodded his understanding. “I think a lot of people feel that way, like something’s missing. I think humans are hardwired to connect with God. We’re formed with an empty space designed exclusively for God. Nothing else, people, drugs, money will ever fit into the void God designed for Himself.”
During the silence that followed, she sensed his mood darkening. His voice was quiet when he said, “Every human is born under the shadow of death—just one uncertain heartbeat away. I wonder how often life’s preoccupations turn into a deathbed’s regret.”
She suspected he was talking about his friend, David, but his words made her think of her father. Had her father regretted his life? Successful, respected by his peers, he seemed to have everything and yet he rarely smiled, never laughed. And then one day, without warning, he was gone. Headache—brain aneurysm—death. His life had been over that fast.
Gabriel’s voice pulled her from the past. “Jonas and I plan to work on the new construction tomorrow.”
She nodded, her thoughts turning to the Pastor. “Listening to the Pastor this evening, I was reminded of how remarkable he is for his age. Actually, I’d say he’s remarkable for any age.”
Gabriel nodded. “He’s very mature, wise even. I think that comes from his dedication to studying Scripture.”
With her curiosity piqued, Jesse asked, “Are they from this area? Is the Pastor an ordained minister? I mean, he’s articulate, seems well educated and Olivia is certainly more than bright, but they’re only twenty.”
“You’re wondering how Jonas came to be a preacher at such a young age.”
“Well, sure. I guess I am a little curious.”
“Just a little curious?” he said, smiling. “You won’t be surprised to hear that Jonas’ father is also a preacher. He lives in Virginia, about four hours away. Jonas and Olivia’s parents worked with other church members to create a home school program.”
“Home school? You mean Olivia and the Pastor have never been to public school?”
“Never. They were both home-schooled, taught the Bible from an early age. Jonas was seventeen when he came here to live with his great uncle, pastor Taylor.”
“Pastor Taylor,” Jesse repeated the name. “I remember him. He was the Pastor when I was a girl. So, pastor Taylor trained Jonas?”
“Yes,” Gabriel said, before chuckling at some memory.
“What are you laughing about?” she asked.
“I was just thinking about the day pastor Taylor announced that Jonas would be the junior pastor. I don’t think any message had ever silenced the church that quickly.”
Jesse imagined a room full of stunned faces. “I bet they were surprised.”
“Surprised? That’s putting it mildly. To be fair, try to imagine what Jonas looked like three years ago. Keep in mind that he’s matured and grown several inches since then.”
“He must have looked like a child. Was he nervous when he started preaching?”
She knew he was smiling when he said, “Oh, he was nervous. And he had good reason to be. On the day he was scheduled to preach for the first time, the air conditioning had gone out that morning. The building was hot, people were irritable. It was a tough crowd—crossed arms and skeptical faces.”
Jesse shook her head. “Poor Pastor.”
Gabriel laughed softly at the memory before saying, “I was in the front row so I saw everything. When Jonas started to introduce himself, his face lost some color and I could see his hands trembling as he opened that tattered Bible he still uses.”
“Gabriel, you’re awful. It sounds like you find that amusing.”
“I didn’t think it was funny then, but looking back on it now, it’s kind of comical. Maybe it’s a guy thing.”
She shook her head. “Gabriel Michael James, I cannot believe you.”
“Okay, but you weren’t there. You should have seen him wrestling a screeching microphone from its stand. I was beginning to think round one would go to the microphone with a knock-out punch. I didn’t know if he was going to knock himself out or pass out.”
Jesse pressed the back of her hand against her lips to keep from laughing.
He leaned forward slightly to look at her. “Jesse Marie James, are you laughing?”
“Okay, that is a little funny, but only because it turned out okay. I mean he’s the Pastor now so obviously it turned out alright. So, what happened next?”
“Well, Jonas finally won the microphone battle. As he stood there looking out across the congregation, his face began to change, to glow. The air seemed to come alive, vibrating with energy and we could feel the presence of God. Jonas preached with a power and authority that could have only come from God. After that, no one dared question pastor Taylor’s decision again.”
Jesse thought about the Pastor’s last sermon. “I’ll have to say, the Pastor can paint a stirring image.”
Hearing a noise, Jesse looked up to see Olivia lean out the door. “There’s breaking news,” she said quickly before going back into the house.
Jesse settled on the sofa between Gabriel and her grandmother to focus on the television along with everyone else in the room. An undertone of nervous excitement could be heard in the reporter’s professionally controlled voice when he said, “We have just learned that contact has been made with the alien spacecraft. NORAD received a message from inside the spaceship requesting a meeting with U.S. officials. One life form with the appearance of a tall, human male exited the vessel before the craft lifted into the air and disappeared. Although unconfirmed, sources familiar with the situation indicate the alien has been escorted under heavy security to an undisclosed location.”
Over the next few hours, there was no new information coming into the newsrooms. Time was filled with pundits speculating and suggesting possible theories in response to questions undoubtedly weighing on minds across the world. Why had the alien come to Earth? Was the visitor somehow related to humans? Where had the spacecraft gone? The newsgroups’ guesswork took them well into the early morning hours. Jesse looked around the living room at bewildered faces. She wondered what they were thinking. Were they like her, stressed out and confused?
At 3:05 a.m., reports came in saying there was talk of a conference being scheduled with world leaders. The information sent the newsroom into a renewed frenzy. Jesse rubbed weary eyes before her head fell back against the sofa. “I’m tired, think I’ll go to bed.”
In their bedroom, Jesse lay awake staring into the darkness, exhausted, but unable to sleep. She looked at the clock display. The sun would be up soon. The sound of slow, rhythmic breathing next to her was comforting. Rolling onto her side, she reached over to place her hand on Gabriel’s chest.
“You’re worried,” he said.
She hesitated before admitting that he was right. “Who knows what will happen. I just have this sense that time is running out.”
“Come here,” he said, pulling her close. His voice was soft against her ear. “The enemy often attacks just before a new dawn, but we know that Satan is a liar.”
“I know you’re right, but I can’t change the way I feel.”
“Admitting I’m right—that’s a good start,” he said, laughing as his arm tightened around her. His fingers crept up to dance over her ribcage. “Maybe you should repent, young lady. Because we do know what the future holds and our time is not running out. Our time is eternal.”
Pushing against him, she tried unsuccessfully to squirm away from his tickling fingers. “You’re right, you’re right,” she said, gasping for air before he let her catch his hands. Facing each other in the lifting darkness, she brought her hand up to his cheek. “I do repent. I know God is in control.” She moved closer to brush his lips with her own. “You are wise, Mr. James.”
____________________
Later that morning Jesse walked with Gabriel through the woods as they made their way to the shelter. In the distance, she could see rows of tents of different shapes and sizes belonging to people waiting for new quarters to be built. She returned smiles and greetings of people as they went about their daily activities. A woman passed carrying a blanket and Jesse hurried to lift the bottom edge brushing the ground. The woman smiled her thanks as Jesse straightened one end of the material over a makeshift clothesline.
Inside the shelter, older teenagers supervised children who were drawing and playing at tables. Other children sat in circles listening to Bible stories. Gabriel’s voice lowered as he leaned in to say, “Without video games and the Internet to occupy their time, teenagers are more willing to help with the younger children.”
“They don’t have Internet?” she asked.
He smiled at her surprised expression. “Of course, they do. It’s just restricted during the day.”
Stepping inside the enormous kitchen, Jesse inhaled the delicious scent of freshly baked bread. She looked around, surprised at the flurry of activity as men and women hurried about to collect and deposit items for those preparing food at different stations. Lines of copper colored pots, pans and utensils hung from a long strip of hooks and there were rows of enormous pots simmering over blue flames. The wall of stainless-steel appliances reminded Jesse of a kitchen in a large restaurant she had once visited.
Hearing her name, Jesse turned to see Emma bustling toward her with a wide smile and opening arms. “Well, look who come to visit,” Emma called cheerfully.
Jesse stepped back from the hug to say, “So this is where you’ve been hiding yourself.”
“This is it,” Emma said, looking around proudly. “I tell you, we stay busier than popcorn on a hot skillet.” Her eyes widened as if struck by a thought before saying, “I’m glad you’re here. There’s something I wanna show you.”
Gabriel and Jesse followed Emma to a storage room filled with large metallic bins stacked on sturdy shelves covering the walls from floor to ceiling. Pulling the lid from one of the two bins sitting on the floor, Emma looked at them to ask, “What’s that look like to you?”
Leaning over to inspect the powdery white contents of the bin, Jesse’s hand came up distractedly to rub her ear before looking back at Emma without responding. The answer was so obvious that she thought it must not be the correct answer at all. Gabriel sounded a bit uncertain when he said, “The label says flour and it does look like flour. I’m guessing that it’s flour, Emma.”
Emma’s eyes rounded in her flushed face before laughing gleefully. “Sure enough, that’s what it is. It’s a bin of flour,” she said, head bouncing up and down with an excited nod.
Jesse’s eyes slid to the left to see Gabriel watching Emma with the same worried expression on her own face. Moving around the bin to place a hand on Emma’s shoulder, Jesse asked, “At some point did the flour bin look like something else to you, Emma?”
Puzzled, Emma stared at Jesse before starting to giggle. The giggles quickly turned into uncontrolled laughter before Emma pulled her apron up to wipe her eyes. “I wondered the same thing. I said to myself, Emma, are you losing your mind? And I wasn’t about to tell anybody until I was sure. But I’ve had an eye on this a few days now, and it’s real.”
“What’s real, Emma,” Gabriel asked.
“What’s real, is these bins are refilling themselves. Not all at once, mind you, but a little at a time”
Jesse stared at Emma. “Are you sure, Emma?”
“Yep, sure enough. Cause I’ve been watching, you know. Now I marked this bin yesterday, ‘bout three quarters full. Today, it’s full.”
Jesse turned to Gabriel with widening eyes. “Now, that is a miracle. Wait until everyone hears about this.”
Emma shook her head. “Nope. You can’t tell anyone, just the five.”
Gabriel looked surprised. “Why not, Emma? Why can’t we tell anyone?”
Emma shrugged. “I don’t know. You’re just not supposed to.”
“How do you know we’re not supposed to?” Jesse asked.
Emma’s hand came up to the side of her face as if wondering that for the first time herself. “You know, I don’t know how I know. I just know.”
Jesse turned to Gabriel. “It’s still a miracle, right?”
“Without a doubt,” he said, stepping around the container to place his hands on Emma’s shoulders. “Emma, we are truly blessed to have you oversee the kitchen and now God continues to bless us and your kitchen by replenishing supplies.”
Jesse was still smiling when she and Gabriel neared the construction site where the Pastor and Olivia stood talking to a small group. As they approached, the Pastor’s head tilted inquiringly at their excited faces.
Gabriel motioned for the Pastor and Olivia. When they were far enough away to avoid being overheard, Gabriel began by telling them about Emma’s warning not to tell others. That didn’t curb the Pastor’s enthusiasm at all. Before Gabriel could finish telling what was happening, the Pastor was bouncing from foot to foot. The sight of the Pastor dancing and praising God drew more than a little attention. Several came from the construction site to find out what was going on. Hearing Gabriel explain that the Pastor is just praising God’s goodness, others began to join in the celebration.
Watching the group dance and praise God, Jesse laughed. Turning to Gabriel, she said, “Normally, the Pastor is fairly quiet and reserved, but he doesn’t seem to be inhibited at all in his preaching or worship.”
Smiling, Gabriel agreed. “I guess there wasn’t a lot of peer pressure to push back against Christians in the school Jonas and Olivia attended.”
After the excitement died down, Olivia and Jesse left the Pastor and Gabriel at the construction site to go visit women and children in the camp. Inside the shelter, their offer of help was quickly accepted and they soon found themselves surrounded by a group of energetic three and four years olds. Having almost no experience with children, Jesse was a little nervous at first but as little bodies crowded forward to present their latest drawing and introduce their favorite toy, she soon relaxed.
While admiring a crayon drawing of a stick figure with blue hair, Jesse noticed a nearby toddler wobbling across the floor in her direction. She picked the child up to say hello, but before she could say anything, a tiny hand shot out to pinch her lips together. Amused by the tot’s open curiosity, she caught his hand to blow playfully on the back of his fingers. She was rewarded with the sweetest sound she would ever hear, an outpouring of innocent giggles.
Much to the children’s delight, Jesse and Olivia took turns reading Bible stories. One read while the other created sound effects. She couldn’t help but notice how happy Olivia looked as she played with children clamoring for her attention. Jesse smiled, imagining Olivia with a child of her own, a sweet dimple faced child with big brown eyes and red hair. The image faded along with her smile as she thought of the growing danger in the world. Would she or Olivia ever have children? What would the world be like for a child growing up?
Shaking the disturbing thought away, Jesse pulled her attention back to the children circling Olivia who was about to lead them in the teapot song. When it was her turn to lead, Jesse suggested a favorite her grandmother had taught her, the itsy-bitsy spider. The children were happily following along when little Timmy pointed behind her to cry, “Gabol!”
Turning to watch Timmy run from the circle, Jesse saw Gabriel pick the child up. “That’s right, buddy, it’s Gabriel,” he said with careful pronunciation of his name. “I came to find out what happened to the itsy-bitsy spider.” Lowering Timmy to the floor, he said, “I heard I could find out here.”
The children squealed with delight. “I know! I know!” they exclaimed.
He flashed a smile at Jesse before looking back at the children to say, “Why don’t you all show me together.” Starting the sing-along over, Jesse watched Timmy inch from the circle to perform his own adorable rendition for Gabriel. When they finished, Gabriel applauded all the children before lifting a beaming Timmy. “You did a fine job, Timmy. You know all about that itsy-bitsy spider,” he said to the grinning tyke. Jesse watched Timmy wrap his arms around Gabriel’s neck. Yes, she thought, Gabriel would make a wonderful father.