Encouraging Art

Chapter 4

"Jenny, mom told me to wake you up. Get ready for Church." my younger sister Lauren said as she banged on my door the next morning. I got out of bed and put on my best Church clothes. Art didn't come to Church ever since mom gave him the power to choose whether he would go or not, so I practically begged him to come. Eventually, he said yes. I was so eager to get to Church, that I ran to the car after eating a breakfast of bacon, eggs, and orange juice.
**
In the car, I prayed my heart out. I hoped the Pastor's message would help Art.
"Speak to me, Lord. I need Your help." I said over and over in my head.
"I will Restore all that was once lost. Trust Me, my Beloved Daughter."
"I trust You." I whispered as I looked out the window. It had been awhile since God spoke to me. I guess I got so caught up in what was going on around me, that I forgot to pray, or listen for God's Voice...with my heart.
When we got to Church, we sat down in the front row. I made Art promise me he would listen to the Pastor's message, but I wasn't sure he would, because he lied...a lot...since he stopped being a Christian. The Pastor's message was on God's Mercy for us. The Pastor preached about how God sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on a Cross to save this sinful world, and how we deserved everything Christ went through, but God had mercy on us so we wouldn't have to suffer. At some points, I think I saw Art's eyes watering up. That was a good sign. When the Preacher had finished, they sang three more songs. The last song went like this:

"So when you're on your knees,
And answers seem so far away,
You're not alone, stop holding on,
And just be held. Your world's
Not falling apart, it's falling into
Place. I'm on the throne, stop
Holding on, and just be held."

Art acted as if he enjoyed the song, which was also a good sign. I hoped with all my heart that I could be a witness to my brother, I knew he really needed God, but he didn't know that. I just wish Art would stop trying to live life on his own and that he would turn to the one that created life, but I was trusting God to Restore Art's soul. I knew He could, and I knew He would.