Day 223: Seeds Blooming

  Should be Day 231.  Continuing from yesterday's post.

     Jeanette was bursting to tell her sisters and Miss Miller about her new-found religion.  She couldn't wait to tell them how happy she was and how wonderful Jesus' grace and redemption is.  Sadly, they didn't quite understand it the way she did.

     "Jeanette, that's really nice that you found something that makes you happy," Eleanor said with a hug.  "Anything that helps distract you from thinking about those bullies sounds like a fine thing to me."

     "I agree with Eleanor," Brittany smiled.

     "Then you two will come with me to church on Sunday?"

     Brittany laughed.  "Church doesn't sound like my thing."

     "I'm not really interested in that right now.  Plus I have soccer practice on Sunday.  Maybe another day."

     "Right," Jeanette sighed, "another day."

     Jeanette didn't let their lack of enthusiasm damper her own fire for God.  She went to church every Sunday with Haley and faithfully read her Bible every day.  She would journal for well over an hour and always felt refreshed when she was done, like a warm soapy shower for the soul.  The best part of becoming a Christian was that it really did help her with her bully problem.  The Bible reminded her of her original intent to return their meanness with kindness and gave her hope that the good would eventually be rewarded and the cruel punished.  Reading about how Jesus was persecuted made her feel even more like encouraged that her suffering would end, and no problem was ever too big for God to handle.  The bullies noticed a change in Jeanette's attitude too.  She was more joyful and confident.  After a couple weeks, they left her alone, and Jeanette's heart was full of praises for answered prayer.  The next task she had was to convert her family and the Chipmunks, and she was willing to be persistent about it as long as she lived.

      A couple months passed of filling her mind with the ways of God, through books, church, and music, and Jeanette felt like a completely different person.  She also felt enough time had passed to try asking her family and friends about church again.

     "At church this Sunday, they're having a special guest speaker," she casually said while the six were walking to school together.  "He's a renowned author."

     "That's nice, Jeanette," Simon replied simply.  "I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

     "They're also holding a raffle," she tried again.  "The prizes look great, like gift cards and t-shirts and sports equipment."

     "Sounds like some good stuff alright," Alvin muttered as he tried to finish the level he was stuck on.

     "I hope you win something," Brittany added.

     "I'm sorry, Jeanette," Eleanor started, "I have too many things to do that day.

     "I see.  I really wish you would go with me though."

     "Will there be food there?" Theodore asked.  It upset him to see Jeanette so dejected.

     "It's highly likely they'll serve snacks, but the potluck isn't until three more weeks."

     Theodore nodded, contemplating the offer.  "I'll go with you, Jeanette?"

     "You will?!" her eyes sparkled through her glasses.

     "Sure! Why not?"

     That Sunday, Theodore was one of the eighteen people who were saved.  He had no idea that he was already living life like a Christian, being kind, giving, and loving.  Accepting Jesus was hardly a hard decision to make, especially after he heard what Jesus sacrificed on the cross.  He hoped that soon the Holy Spirit would encourage him not to be so timid.  There was no excuse to be if he had God. 

      Jeanette couldn't be more excited for him but she worried how they'd ever get the rest of them to convert.

     "Don't worry, Jeanette," Theodore grinned.  "It will all happen within God's time."