Her Russian Millionaire

“Good. That sounds like a better place.” Jalisa looked around at all the stained glass windows. She understood wanting to build something beautiful for God to see, but, to her, that was a homeless shelter or a free clinic, not a golden steeple with a jeweled cross.

As the two girls rode to Erik’s old church, Jalisa thought more and more about how to help her sister grieve. A counseling group for girls Nikita’s age would be good, but she doubted something so specific would exist in their town. She would just have to pray for Nikita and make sure they were going to church as much as possible.

She also thought about Nikita’s crush. It was harmless right now, but it had to be stopped before anything happened. Jalisa would make an effort to introduce Nikita to boys her own age at their new church. After all, she was right. Jalisa got to have crushes. She had one right now.

Jalisa didn’t mean to have a crush on Erik; it just kind of happened one day. He was hanging around at the bar, swirling around an Old Fashioned. His handsome face was twisted up in pain, and his hands shook quite a bit. Jalisa found herself wanting to reach out, gather his hands in hers and whisper a prayer against his lips.

It wasn’t just a physical attraction, though Jalisa would not deny that it was there. He was very quiet, but when he did speak, he was whip-smart and had a great sense of humor. He respected her and was kind to her little sister, both of which were paramount to Jalisa. Erik often stopped by just to check on everyone in the apartment, making sure that they had food and necessities. Finding out Erik was a Christian was only icing on the cake.

They were greeted as soon as they walked through the doors to Erik’s old church. An older woman who smelled of peppermints pulled them into her arms and squeezed them tight. She murmured a prayer before letting them go.

“I’m sorry for intruding on our personal space, but Jesus told me you really needed a blessing.” She looked at the girls with the same kind eyes that their father had. “You’re not doing so well, are you?”

“No, we are not. It’s getting better,” Jalisa answered. She put one hand on her sister’s shoulder and squeezed. “We’re new in town, and we’re looking for a church to join.”

“You come on and stay for sermon then. Brother Mike is ideal for those of us who are having hard times. Afterward, we have a meal in the hall downstairs. He preaches love and light in the Lord, not any of that fire and brimstone stuff.” She directed the girls into the congregation room.

It was packed for such a small building. People of all colors, sizes, and ages had gathered around the podium. Some did not fit in the pews, so the young and healthy stood to the side. A couple of young men gave up their seats, and Jalisa tried to refuse, but they insisted. She sat in their seats and people all around them introduced themselves. Jalisa noticed Nikita watching a handsome mixed boy her own age walk around and hoped the two would hit it off.

Small children gathered around as two seeing eye dogs walked around the pews. The golden labs played with the children until the pastor came out. A woman in the back called their names, and they returned to their owner. Jalisa watched as they sat up in the pew like people. Nikita giggled.

“Brothers and sisters, welcome,” the pastor, a middle-aged black man with long dreadlocks and a suit with a blue tie, started. “Today is a new day. I hope today treats you very well, but if it doesn’t, I want you to know you are not alone. I want you all to unburden yourself today. There are those of you out there who have fear in your hearts. Trust in the Lord, and he will take that fear and replace it with love: the strongest force of all.”

“Amen,” a chorus of agreement spread through the room before the pastor went on.

“I’ve got to tell you, folks. I don’t fear evil. I don’t fear it one bit. Not a thing on this earth is stronger than Jesus. No evil a man or the devil can create, not a war or a famine or a plague, is more powerful than Jesus. I don’t care what you’re going through; you’re not alone. God is always there, and if you put your trust in him, he will kick evil’s butt.”

“Hallelujah.” A few people put their hands up.

“I don’t care is your car broke down. I don’t care if your house is about to be foreclosed. I don’t care if your son is on drugs. I don’t care if your baby momma is trying to take you to court. Put trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding.” The pastor looked around the room for a moment of silence. “Let us pray quickly for the new faces in the room as well as the old.”

The congregation bowed their heads, and the pastor closed his eyes. “Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for giving us another day in this world you have made for us. I want to acknowledge the new faces here and ask that you bless them, for there is a reason they are here tonight. I ask that you bless the members here and request that you make their hearts soft to my voice so that they may hear the words which you have given me. In Jesus name, Amen.”

“Amen,” the congregation answered.

“Now, in the same way, I want you to know that we are never alone, I want you to see that God may use others to carry out his holy will. You may not see God walk through your door and cleanse your son of his addiction, but you may meet somebody sent by God to help you. Walking down the street there may be a nurse at a rehab facility. At the grocery store, there may be a mechanic willing to work pro bono. At the church, you may find help with your bills. Talk to us, people, we don’t have a lot of money, but we will take up donations to help members of the congregation.”

“Yes, Lord.” A very skinny white woman with a pink cap on spoke out.

“Sister Martha.” The pastor nodded to her. “She was diagnosed with cancer. The church collected donations from members to help pay her bills. We organized fundraisers and even had a bake sale. Through prayer and medicine, we are working to heal Sister Martha.”

“I’d like to testify.” An elderly man held up his hand.

“Brother Max.” The preacher nodded. “May your words grace the Lord.”

“I was sitting at a bus stop a week ago, and I saw an angel come down and enter a woman. She crossed the street and talked to a homeless man sitting under the liquor store sign. Turned out he had been stabbed last night. No one cared, and he was too weak to move. She called him an ambulance and saved his life. Most beautiful thing I ever saw in my eighty years.” He sat down after a round of applause.

“That’s what I’m talking about. The Lord comes to people and works through them. There may come a time in your life when you, too, feel the pull to help somebody.