Love Builds the House: a Christian Love Story

Chapter One

Lynette Harper pulled into the parking lot of Hillside Church and parked next to a black luxury SUV with tinted windows. She looked around and saw there were only three other cars on the lot. She recognized Phillip Carter’s truck and the dark blue sedan that belonged to Ruth Johnson. I guess I’m early for prayer, she thought. Hillside Church was the place where Lynette found peace and solace regardless of what was happening in her life.

At this moment she felt totally in despair. As she sat staring blankly at the windshield, she replayed the last twenty years of her life. What went wrong? How did I get to this place in my life? God I need your help, she cried aloud. I don’t know what to do. I’m hurting so badly. Please give me strength. It had taken her a long time to heal, but in one instant her emotional wounds had been reopened and she felt mentally and physically drained. She was grateful that tonight she would be among friends.

As a social worker, Lynette was used to giving so much of herself to help meet the needs of her patients, but now she was the one in need. Tonight she needed the comfort and support of her church family. Her faith in God had always gotten her through tough times and she knew her faith would continue to give her the fortitude to press on.

She took a minute to collect herself before going in. She looked in her rearview mirror. She had been crying all afternoon and her eyes were red and puffy. As fresh tears began to well up, she brushed them back and rested her head on the steering wheel. Take a deep breath and get yourself together. She rambled in her purse and found a tissue. She wiped her eyes, blew her nose, and put on the bravest face that she could muster. After several more minutes, she got out of her car and walked toward the education wing of the church.

The door of the SUV parked next to her opened. She glanced back to see a tall dark haired man getting out. The tint on his windows had prevented her from seeing him before. She felt angry and embarrassed that he had just witnessed what she thought was a private moment. She walked briskly across the parking lot to avoid talking to him, but the man caught up with her in a couple of strides.

Are you okay? he asked. You seemed upset.

I’m fine, she snapped as she turned to face him.

For a moment, he stood motionless staring at her with a startled expression, like someone who had seen an apparition. He quickly regained his composure and asked, Is there anything I can do to help you?

She assumed from the way he was staring at her, that she must look awful. Now she felt even more embarrassed. No, there’s nothing you can do for me, she said dryly. I already told you. I’m fine. She couldn’t believe that he had been sitting in his car watching her the whole time.

I drove up right before you did and I wasn’t sure where the entrance to the education wing was, so I decided I’d walk in with you, but when you started to cry, I didn’t know what to do. I hope you’re all right. Now he regretted not going over to her car and offering to help in some way.

Thank you again for your concern, she said, but I really am fine. She was not fine, but she wasn’t about to discuss her problems with a man that she had just met.

As the two of them reached the door to the prayer room, Ruth Johnson met them with a smile and a group hug. Lynette was a bit taken aback.

This is wonderful. The two of you have already met.

No, we haven’t been officially introduced, said Lynette with feigned enthusiasm.

Lynette Harper, meet my godson, David Miller.

"It is so nice to finally meet you," he said extending his hand.

It is nice to meet you too, she said stiffly. Lynette was still angry that he had seen her during an unguarded moment. Pretending not to see his hand, she turned and greeted church deacon Phillip Carter and his wife Brenda.

Hello Phillip and Brenda. How are you tonight? she asked.

Hello Lyn, they both said before giving her a hug.

We missed you last week, said Brenda.

I missed being here. My week just isn’t the same when I don’t make it to prayer.

Phillip turned toward Ruth and the man standing next to her. You must be David, said Phillip. Ruth told us that you were coming.

David, I’d like you to meet Phillip and Brenda Carter. They are our prayer group leaders. He shook hands with Phillip and then Brenda. Ruth was smiling brightly. She was overjoyed that David had come to prayer tonight.

I’m pleased to meet you, said David.

We are always happy to welcome a new member to the Hillside Church family and to our prayer group, said Phillip.

Technically I’m not a new member of Hillside, said David. Before I left to join the military, I worshiped here when I was in college. Your pastor, Richard Jr. and I were college roommates.

Is that right?

We were roommates for four years. Richard became like a brother to me. David began to reminisce about the first time Richard brought him to Hillside. Ruth Johnson was one of the first people he’d met when he came to church there. He remembered her greeting him with one of the warmest hugs he’d ever felt.

After I met David, I found out that he and my son, Thomas were also good friends, said Ruth.

That’s when she unofficially adopted me, said David. He gave Ruth’s hand a gentle squeeze and smiled at her lovingly.

I am so glad that David has come home, said Ruth smiling back at him. Ruth Johnson was a petite woman with long silver hair that she usually wore pulled back in a pony tail. She was small in stature, but had a big personality. Her smile had a way of lighting up a room. She was one of those people that everyone enjoyed being around. David had always described Ruth as a love light. Whenever she entered a room, the love of God seemed to illuminate every space. Everyone at Hillside affectionately called her Mother Johnson.

By this time, Lynette had taken a seat at the back of the room. She watched the loving exchange between Ruth and David. Her opinion of him started to soften a little, but she still felt embarrassed that he had seen her melt down in the car.

As David continued his conversation with Phillip and Brenda, Ruth glanced back at Lynette. She could tell that she was upset about something. She excused herself and walked to the back of the room and took a seat next to her.

Ruth noticed that Lynette had barely spoken to David when she introduced the two of them and she looked like she had been crying. What’s wrong Lyn? You’re so quiet tonight."

I’m not quite ready to talk about it yet, but I‘ll be okay, said Lynette looking down at her hands.

You know I’m always here if you need me, said Ruth. She understood Lynette’s reluctance to talk about her problems. Because of all the negative things that she had experienced; it was difficult for Lynette to trust others. Ruth knew that when she was ready, she would tell her what was troubling her.

Lynette saw the love and concern in Ruth’s eyes and decided to open up, but just as she was about to speak, the precocious six year- old twins of the youth pastor ran up and hugged Ruth. Their parents, Gregory and Cynthia Patrick led the children’s prayer group.

Hello Mother Johnson, they said in unison.

Hello boys. It’s so good to see you.

You give the best hugs, said Joshua.

She sure does, said Jonathan chiming in.

Thank you, said Ruth. You boys give good hugs too."

Hello Miss Harper, said Jonathan.

Hello, said Joshua.

Hello boys, said Lynette smiling.

At that moment, their mother, Cynthia walked up and admonished them for running.

Hello Cynthia, said Ruth.

Hello Mother Johnson, said Cynthia. I’m sorry about that. The boys get so excited to see you. They sometimes forget their manners. I promised them that they could come and say hello.

No harm done, said Ruth.

Hello Lyn. It’s good to see you.

It is good to see you too, said Lynette. How is Greg?

"Greg is fine. He’s over in the youth meeting room. Some of the other families and their children drove up when we did. The children’s prayer group usually kept Cynthia so busy; she rarely got to participate in the adult prayer group. She was happy to be able to visit for a few minutes with Ruth and Lynette.

She instructed the boys to join their father across the hall. I’ll be there shortly, she said.

Goodbye boys, said Ruth. She gave the twins one last hug before they reluctantly left the room.

Do you need help with the children? asked Lynette.

No, we have older youth helping us tonight, said Cynthia.

David had watched from a distance while Lynette chatted with Cynthia and Ruth. Lynette seemed okay to him now. She was even smiling. Little did he know; Lynette was wearing her happy mask. On the inside, she was still secretly hurting. He wondered what had caused her so much pain.

As other members of the prayer group began filing in, Cynthia said goodbye and left to join Greg and the children.

After everyone was seated, Phillip asked David to stand. Before we begin tonight’s prayer session, I want to introduce a new prayer group member. I’d like for everyone to please welcome Mother Johnson’s godson, Colonel David Miller. He asked David to tell the group a little bit about himself.

When David stood, Lynette noticed for the first time how tall he was. He appeared to be about 6’3". He had a lean muscular build. His wavy black hair with just a hint of gray at the temples gave him a distinguished look. He had amber brown eyes and a deep rich baritone voice that boomed when he spoke. Even wearing civilian clothes, it was obvious from his stance and authoritative demeanor that he had a military background.

I recently moved back to Mississippi after retiring from the Army, said David. I’m originally from Crystal Springs. As I was telling Phillip, I was a member of Hillside when Pastor Kelly, Sr. was pastor. Your current pastor, Richard, Jr. and I were college roommates. The church membership was much smaller back then. I could never have imagined that Hillside would become the mega church that it is today. I am so happy to be back.

Welcome home, said Phillip. Now we’ll have a few minutes of silent prayer before we break off into smaller groups. The small prayer groups were very informal. Each group consisted of six to seven people. Anyone who wanted prayer would state their prayer request and then members of the group would take turns praying for each other.

After silent prayer, Lynette joined Ruth’s group and took a seat next to Ruth and David. Ruth started off with a prayer of gratitude. She was thankful that David had returned home safely after years of serving his country. When Lynette gave her prayer request, she asked that the group pray for her strength.

After Ruth prayed, she asked if anyone else felt led to pray. David being new to the group had planned to listen silently, but in his heart, he knew that he needed to pray for Lynette. I’d like to pray, he said.

Heavenly Father:

I ask that you bless every member in our prayer group tonight and please give Lynette strength to bear whatever it is she is going through. Help her to know that you love her and that she is not alone. The scriptures tell us that you are always with us and will never leave us. Help her to cast all of her cares upon you. In Jesus name