Forever Blessed (Women of Prayer) by Darlene Shortridge

client was lying about something. “Why haven’t you reported this to the police?”
    “Look, do you want the job or not? I can find another guy if you don’t want the job.”
    The PI let out a long breath. The responsibility of taking care of his two boys was even more pronounced since his wife had died. Yes, he had money in savings from her life insurance, but he hardly ever turned down a job. Not if it meant adding a little cushion to his depleting funds.
    The husband had rights too, even if they were sometimes questionable. “Alright, I’ll take it. Tell me everything. Start at the beginning.”

 
     
                                              Chapter Thirteen
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Laney looked at the church. It was exactly what she expected. The building was older with traditional stained glass windows and a steeple. Her parents’ church had a similar look to it, all holy and righteous. She wondered if the people inside had the same “holier than thou” attitudes that she found at her parents’ church. Pretty windows can only hide so much.
    When Sheila had invited her to attend, she hadn’t really wanted to go. Since then she’d been invited by Ella and her new landlords who also happened to be her new bosses. What could hurt by attending one time? At least she’d put on a good show for her new bosses. She had to stay in their good graces.
    Sheila led her into the foyer where a pretty woman was shaking peoples’ hands.
    “Welcome.” Pastor Jessi took hold of the hand of the woman in front of her. “I’m Pastor Jessi. My husband, Pastor Mark, is in the back room praying. It’s so good to have you here this morning.”
    Laney only nodded her head. That seemed sincere.
    Sheila was next. “Hi, I’m Sheila Richardson. We spoke last week.”
    Jessi smiled. “Sheila, it’s so good to meet you. I’m glad you were finally able to make it. The sanctuary is just through those doors and please, if you have time after service, I’d like to introduce you to my husband.”
    Laney and Sheila made their way into the sanctuary and found a pew to sit in.
    There was a lot of commotion toward the front. From the sounds drifting her way Laney expected things to get started soon, and before she knew it she was tapping her foot to a steady drumbeat. Where did that come from? She had no intention of enjoying this. This visit was a one-time thing. Sheila seemed to be enjoying herself as well. She was clapping and singing along, like she knew the songs. Laney studied her friend. How could a person smile and sing at the same time?
    Laney grasped the pew in front of her, trying to stop the contagion that seemed to be spreading. She didn’t remember liking the music this much at her parents’ church. The words were displayed on a large screen and no matter how much she tried, Laney couldn’t keep her feet from moving with the beat. After a few songs and a few announcements, everyone was seated.
    The man she assumed to be Pastor Mark stepped to the podium and asked a single question. “Who does God love?
    “No, I’m serious…who does God love? Those of you who have been Christians for a while will automatically say, ‘everyone.’ You are correct, but have you really thought about what that means?”
    Laney wasn’t sure where this was going, nor did she like the idea of God loving Paul. She waited for him to go on.
    “In the book of Genesis God loved liars when he loved Adam and Eve. He loved a murderer when he loved Cain. He loved a drunk when he loved Noah. He loved Jacob, who was a cheat and a liar. He loved Joseph, who was prideful. He loved Moses, who murdered a man. God loved David and called him a man after his own heart after David committed adultery and had the woman’s husband murdered. God loved a harlot when he loved Rahab. Do you get the idea?”
    Laney looked around the room to see if anyone else was surprised at what they were hearing. She continued to