A Full Journey

Chapter 39: Using Scriptures to Contradict Scriptures

Anne Gadi

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

I remembered while I was on my bed, lying. God's words are not chained indeed, no matter how people tries with all their might to avoid and dispose it.

I looked at the wall clock in my room and noticed how it's almost 8 O'clock, the exact time when my parents arrive. I straightened myself and put on the slipper then went downstairs.

I prepared the table for our dinner. I'm kind of nervous to see my parents again. They're mad at me, the both of them. However, the Lord stands beside me. I will fear no evil.

I washed my hands in the sink and was praying on how I'm gonna answer my parents. I know I must respect them still and that's the answer. I prepared my heart through prayer, that it only consists love and no hatred, for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Then, around 8: 13 PM, a knock was heard. I opened it and my parents showed up and there was a silhouette figure of someone at their back.

"Why didn't you open the front lamp?" Papa asked, in a gentle manner.

"Ah--I forgot, sorry," I apologized and turned the button on quickly, which was only reachable from the doorstep. And the moment I landed my eyes on the person at their back, it was---

"Lake's with us by the way. Come in Lake," Papa said with a joyful face. It seemed as though nothing happened this morning.

Lake entered the house and sat on the sofa. Gladly, I moved on from the hatred I had for him. I was sinning.

I closed the door and went to the kitchen to prepare an extra plate for him. My parents brought tasty viands and ordered me to prepare them on the table. Good thing they did, especially when we have visitor.

My parents went upstairs to change their clothes and Rneier went downstairs and turned the TV on in the living room. I just remained in the kitchen, not welcoming Lake. I'm ashamed to face him and...I don't want to see him. But then, I heard the two of them laughing. I saw him and my brother having a good time from behind the division wall; which none of them noticed me peep.

Then I heard footsteps coming from the stairs going down. It was my parents'.

Papa went to Lake and Mama went to me with an excited face. Are they being hypocrite because of Lake? Why don't they just scold me?

"Anne," Mama whispered and hugged me. "I'm sorry about lately."

A smile formed on my face and I replied, "It's fine Ma, but can I read my Bible and still gonto Church? It will cause me great joy."

She smiled and said, "Of course, just don't mention your belief on Lake again, or else you'd be blamed when the time comes. Let's eat?" Mama said.

I didn't agree to what she said and just remained silent. I can't possibly be silent of my faith and Jesus, He's the very words of my mouth and the very beat of my heart.

Then, Papa came and patted my shoulder, smiling at me. Also, Lake and my brother who were having a good conversation, heading to the table and sat beside each other. I'm supposed to be the one sitting beside my brother. Now, the only chair unoccupied is beside Lake. But I've got my way.

I approached Lake and asked him to sit beside Mama and then Renier in the center of us. I didn't mind my parents' faces and was just confident. Gladly, he heeded my plea and exchanged seats with Renier.

"Okay, shall we eat?" Mama said, but I said,

"Can we pray first?"

They looked at each other but forcibly smiled and so, I began praying.

"Heavenly Father, we praise You for this food You graciously poured on us tonight and even each day. Thank you for this visitor we have today and for the strength to keep on going. May You forgive us our sins as we forgive our debtors. I pray Lord that You open up our hearts to the truth and may we glorify You every moment of our lives. Thank You Lord and in Jesus' name we pray, Amen."

"Amen," all of them responded, even Lake.

Then we began eating. We were very quiet, until Papa spoke, "Lake, are you still going to study in Martinsville? I've heard you'll discontinue your transfer in America."

Lake replied, "Yes Tito,  and my parents supported me about that."

"Great, I hope you'll be classmates with Anne," Papa said.

"I do hope so the same," Lake said and looked at me meaningfully.

But I pray we won't be.

Mama cleared a throat and smiled as though having a tickle in her stomach. I know those looks they continually give me, but I just busied myself with serving Renier, sitting beside me.

When we finished eating, Mama insisted that Papa and her will be the one cleaning the kitchen site and I should go in the living room where Renier and Lake are, watching TV.

"Can I go to my room Ma? I'm not feeling well," I excused. Actually, I've been feeling ill right now, which I'm glad of, so then I can rest in my room.

"But what about Lake? He came here for you," Mama whispered.

"Why would he?" I asked, and my eyes were growing tired.

She held my hand and said to me, "I will not forbid you to do anything you like in one condition,"

I intently listened, then she followed saying, "allow Lake to court you."

My eyes widened in disbelief. What's wrong with them? And what kind of condition is that?

"Should I sin in order to be free of doing the things which I love to do Ma?" it slipped from my tongue and it made Mama and Papa show disappointed faces.

"We are allowing you to have a relationship, but only with him Anne. You're not sinning," she said.

"But I will be, it's still disobedience to God. Lake isn't a Christian like me, and I mustn't be unequally yoked together with unbelievers."

I received a strike on my right cheek after my answer, coming from Mama.

"Anne," she sternly said, "Lake's a good man, and we trust he won't hurt you. Haven't you noticed how solemnly he bowed his head during ypur prayer before we ate? Isn't that enough to convince you?"

I didn't answer a word and kept still. Then Papa said, "Don't disobey us Anne, and I'm pretty sure you're aware of the 5th commandment. Now go there,"

The both of them went on to cleaning the kitchen and forgot of how I'm not feeling well, but I didn't answer anymore word and went in the living room.

It's confirmed to me, my parents are false converts. They have loved the world and chose to be enemies of God, and now, they're encouraging and tolerating me to sin against the God whom I love for their sakes. Money are fleeting away and so does beauty, but a woman who fears the Lord is worthy to be praised. This is a test of faithfulness.

I sat beside Renier and Lake looked at me and I paid him the same, smiling at him, with a hidden disappointment. He knows already how I'm not into romantic relationships, but he kept on persisting his desire.

When it was time for Lake to go, I was the one who assisted him outside. His driver was waiting in the car, but before he left I talked with him privately in the terrace, and closed the door. I know my parents won't listen and they can't listen.

"What's it?" he asked.

"What's your aim?" I asked as a response.

He bowed his head and looked at me in the eyes for a while and then said, "I want to court you and I already askwd your parents about it and they agreed. Which means, you won't sin now."

"How sure are you I'm gonna accept your love?" I frankly asked which made him kind of confused. "You're not a Christian, and I can't allow myself to be yoked with you who have different ways and desires other than pleasing the Creator."

"But--"

"We can be friends Lake, but only friends." I cut his opposition, but he said,

"I can be a Christian for you,"

I looked at him intently and said, "You already have my answer."

"Yes, I know. But I'll humble myself and will try to seek the things which you seek, just to be worthy of becoming your first boyfriend."

It made my brows meet a bit, realizing his stubbornness.

"But the way to life is wicket; it's narrow and hard to find. Without the grace of God, you're still lost."

"Look Anne, I love you," he directly said which made me stolid. This is the first time I heard someone say those words to me. But didn't Jesus say it first on the cross before I knew of Him?

"No," I opposed. "I can teach you the ways of God, but I can't teach myself to respond to your love the way you want me. The way of life is impossible that it took God to do it. Being a Christian is no joke; it's not achieved by human will but the will of God."

Lake didn't say another word and I can see in his eyes sadness. Then, a pearl of liquid escaped from them which he quickly wiped away and looked the other way. I felt pity for him.

"Don't you know how Christians view dating?" I said, changing the topic but in context. "Remember my Aunt? Mr. Adoniram courted her because he wants her to be a wife. The point is, we don't date for recreational purposes, we date for God's glory; that is, to marry."

Lake spoke saying, "Then I'm willing to marry you."

I didn't expect that. Oh, great patience is needed for this. Lord, help me.

"No Lake, my point of saying those is because I want you to see we're still young and to convict you on how you should see dating's supposed to be. Court someone else, just---just don't me."

Lake heaved a deep sigh before he said, "I'm aware that love is patient, I've read that in the Bible. Thus, I'm willing to wait until you allow me. Good night Anne, and I love you."

He gave me a flying kiss because he probably knew I don't like being touched. Then, he went inside his car and still had his eyes on me and waved goodbye and I did too.

I went inside after the sight of them vanished away.

"Hmph, even Satan used the Scriptures when he tempted the Lord Jesus Christ in the wilderness."