BOOK 1: SERENDIPITY / CH. 8:PAIN RELIEF
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
“Thank you for lunch, John. You're a really good cook.”
“I like cooking. I used to do most of the cooking while Sally was working on her research. She wanted to have as much done as possible before the little agent of chaos arrived.”
“So, was this recipe an old favourite, or one you invented specially for me?”
“Actually, I wanted to do something special, but which I knew worked, and I realized part way through cooking it that it used to be Sally's favourite dish. I hope you don't mind. I'm not quite sure what my subconscious was up to there, love.”
“That's... urm... complex, isn't it, John?”
“I think it might be. I'm sorry.” He went to hold her. [You're someone special and so was Sally, but you're not her, I do know that.]
[But maybe your subconscious thinks I'm filling her shoes?]
“One more reason not to rush. I need to get used to loving someone other than Sally.”
“I understand, I think, my love.”
“I've got an idea. Why don't we talk about really normal things until it's time for church?”
“Good idea. Food, music, politics, predestination and free will?”
“For starters, why not? We could make a list of topics and every known controversy and see what we think about them.”
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CHURCH
“Hi, John! Nice to see you. And would this lady be the reason for the smile on your face?”
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“Hi Arwood, let me introduce Sarah. She's recently come back to the Lord, but can't cope with crowds right now, so we'll go and sit upstairs. Sarah, Arwood's our pastor.”
“Hello Sarah, welcome. I hope you'll feel at home here. We'll try not to overpower you.”
“Hello Arwood. I hope I'll be fine, but if I can't cope...”
“Feel very free to run away. I won't take offence. But I do need to invite you both for lunch next week, or I'll be in trouble.”
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Sarah felt the pressure or noise, or whatever grow as more people entered, but it was more muted than she'd expected given the size of the congregation. She became sure she would be able to stay. Then, as the musicians started playing the first hymn, the noise faded. In its place was the song, as hearts, minds and voices united in praise of God, and reflected on His glory. And Sarah lifted her voice in praise and worship with tears of joy in her eyes at the beauty and power of what she was taking part in, aware that the risen Lord, enthroned in heaven, was receiving the praise of His people. [Ps 22].
As the chords died away, she reached for John's hand.
[It was beautiful, John, could you feel it?]
[It is a good hymn, I like it.]
[Wrong answer, love. I guess you didn't. Poor man, or maybe poor me. Tell you later.] The next hymn was starting.
Once again, the sound of worship filled Sarah's mind, and praise rang from her lips. During the sermon, Sarah was hardly aware of any ‘crowd noise’, and it was only afterwards that the noise began to press on her mind again.
“John, it's getting a bit noisier. But I can cope if you need to talk to anyone.”
“Thanks, I probably should. Do you want to stay here?”
“I don't think so, John. Well... I'll try coming with you and if it's too bad, I'll come back.”
“You're being brave,” John commented and held out his hand to help her up.
[And you're being gallant, sir knight. Oh, that's interesting.]
[What?]
[The noise gets a bit more bearable when we hold hands.]
[If we are seen holding hands, you know what my friends down there are going to think?]
“Halleluia, when's the wedding?”
“Something like that, yes.”
“Embarrassed?”
“Just not really the right setting. Let's not be that overt, love, please. Leave ourselves some privacy, let people learn slowly without shouting it from the pulpit.”
“There's an idea! No, seriously, John, I agree actually. But if it gets bad, then I'm grabbing your hand for pain relief, OK?”
“Of course.”