Several people are in the sanctuary. Sister Burney is sitting in the front row, lovingly holding her daughter who is resting her head on her mothers lap. They are both smiling and listening to what the man of God is saying. Because the ‘Believers’ have touched their lives so dramatically, several people that have been healed, witnessed a healing or heard God’s real plan for their life, have followed everyone back to the church. When the man that is speaking finishes he hands the microphone to Sister Kelly. A calming enters the room. Everything is set but no one moves. The peace of God is stirring everyone into a quiet and soothing stillness, filling the room with a serene atmosphere. Sister Kelly prays a short prayer then begins speaking.
“Everyone needs to listen to the next thing I say with open ears. I know that many of you have seen unbelievable things today. Now you are here to get a better understanding. Therefore, to start, we are all here representing God, in the name of Jesus. Today we represented our Father God and loving Jesus to all of you. None of us would have been able to do anything, and I mean anything, if it wasn’t for our creator God and the absolute love that he has for all of you.” Sister Kelly stops to allow the words she has just said to sink in.
“Now I ask you, how can people judge God and the love of Jesus from baby saints? Making a decision regarding God or Jesus from a baby Christian is like going to a pee-wee league ball game. Then after watching the very young kids consistently fumbling and making obvious mistakes, you then make up in your mind your complete and total views regarding the entire sport and in some cases all sports in general. Deciding never to go to another game because ‘you saw how people who love or at least think they love the sport play’ Then you run around talking bad about people who love the sport and pay over $5 to watch and harshly criticizing or mocking anyone paying over $50 to see a professional game!”
Sister Kelly slowly looks around the packed room, continuing to speak but this time she greatly emphasizes certain words. “Most Christians repeat words they hear and become born again. If they want to be good they go to church (most Sundays), give a few dollars (when they come), change a couple of (obvious) bad habits, talk to church members (usually the members that talk to them), read the bible (during church), and (a lot of times mis)quote scriptures (that they think they have heard someone like a preacher say).” Sister Kelly begins slowly walking to each side of the room, captivating everyone as she continues.
“Now this type of person misleads people (sometimes on purpose and sometimes by accident or unknowingly) and the entire faith regarding God and Jesus is put into question by non Christians because of it. Most people judge Jesus’s believers from Christians that have only taken baby steps toward what Jesus taught. Judge not! Instead you become a mature ‘Believer’ in Jesus and allow him to do mighty works through you!” Sister Kelly stops back in the middle and looks around the room.
“You are here now ready to believe, participate or at least learn more. Do not think that this is going to be your chance to become rich, famous, popular or have everyone of your desires catered to….Instead this is your opportunity to be a part of Gods greater good and do greater things. You now have the opportunity to follow Jesus as he directs us to the one true God, and allow Him to reign in your life. This choice is up to you! It does not matter your background or history, you have a decision to make. Knowing that this decision can and will greatly affect your family, friends, career, lifestyle, and the rest of your decisions forever. Everyday determines the story you will tell your children, grandchildren and ultimately Jesus. Decide your legacy!” Sister Kelly pauses as she makes eye contact around the room. The church can seat over 450 people and still there are many people standing.
“Please come up all those that are our prayer warriors to the back of me, only twenty seven prayer warriors were in the room. They stand up and go up to stand behind her immediately praying intercessions. All those led to give the plan of salvation please come over here.” As more than 50 people who are hearkening to the calling by God get into place, Sister Kelly says a prayer as she looks toward the heavens. When she finishes she looks back around the room again. Several people are crying and still praying. “Today may not be your only opportunity, but at this moment your opportunity to serve Jesus is open for everyone to come.” Enthusiastically people come to the front, ready and willing to give their hearts to God. Some for the first time but many who have already accepted Jesus, wanted to really get to know the Jesus they have been claiming for so long. After twenty minutes the room is vibrating with all of the praise, worship, and talk about Jesus.
Sister Kelly picks the microphone up after two hours and declares, “If you need healing please come over here.” Healing begins again as Sister Kelly starts by closing her eyes and calling upon God’s divine healing. After looking at a man who is limping toward her, she waits on him. He is the first in line even though he has a horrible limp. It is obvious that this man has not groomed himself for sometime. He has overgrown stubble throughout his face, which looks like uncontrollable weeds. His clothes has stains that do not look recent. Although he has brand name clothes on, it is obvious that he has been wearing these same clothes for a couple of days now.
Even though it is obvious what he is in need of Sister Kelly asks “What are you asking of me?” Shyly he puts his hands together as he pleads with her for compassion. He states that he needs a healing for his daughter. He has taken a new higher paying job here, but his wife and daughter are staying there because they have an excellent children’s hospital there. His daughter is in the hospital with a brain tumor. He told God that he would do anything in order to get her well. Blurry from his tears he just kept walking and ended up here. Sister Kelly keeps her eyes closed. She speaks to the Lord and waits, before speaking again. “Do you believe?” She asks softly. He nods yes, bowing his head, “I believe,” he says choking up. After another pause, Sister Kelly prays then smiles and opens her eyes. “You do believe and she has been healed.” Trembling he hugs her and begins to limp away.
Sister Kelly calls back out to the man. “David, why did you not ask for healing for your leg as well, it is obviously causing you pain? You do realize that you can ask God for multiple things and not just one at a time.” Sheepishly a grin creeps over his bearded face. “Actually I would have asked, but close to an hour ago the doctor said that the prior tests were correct. I was on the phone while they told my wife that my daughter will die and before she did she will probably become brain dead. I told them that I can find a way to pay for this to be fixed. They said that it is not about the money, it is just the facts. My daughter has no other chances just a small window of time.
When my wife began crying uncontrollably, a man, who was also waiting to hear news about, told my wife that I should get a priest to pray over her dead body. He was trying to be kind, but the thought of everyone already pronouncing her dead made me so angry that I said ‘Why does it have to be her? Why can’t it be me?’ then through the phone and said ‘the hell with priests and God’ and I kicked the chair I was sitting on. I kicked it so hard I could hear my bones crack louder than the broken chair.
I left my apartment despite my pain in my leg. I have been walking and walking debating with myself. Finally, I told God that I will do anything for her to be healed. I told him that I will sacrifice my own life for her if he will just make my only little girl alright. That is when I heard you speaking and saying the name Jesus. I walked straight up here to you. So you see I can’t ask for anything to be fixed on me, because I have given everything up for her.” His demeanor and tone is serious.
Compassion is expressed throughout Sister Kelly’s face. “Beloved, that is not how God works. Your daughter’s healing is because of Gods mercy and grace, not because of a bargain that you are able to strike with God. Please do not leave here thinking that the God of healing, whom I am representing, barters bodies for souls.” Intrigued he starts to come back. Immediately all of the adrenaline that has been flowing through him, calms, and the pain in his legs suddenly becomes unbearable as he falls to the floor in pain. He yells in pain as his body hits the floor and a crack sounds from his leg, indicating that it is completely broken.
The two closest workers run over to him. One pulling out her cell phone dials 911, when Sister Kelly touches her on the shoulder. “Use your faith to heal his leg.” The man does not stop yelling in pain as he holds onto his broken leg. Sister Kelly says again, “Your daughter is alive and well because of your faith. Use that same faith for your leg.” Eventually David stop yelling curse words as he tries to compose himself. Tears run down his face showing that the pain is still present. Moaning he closes his eyes because the pain is still so excruciating. He tries to pray but his lips are quivering making him stutter.
Sister Kelly sits down and softly says, “I can believe with you for your healing if you would like?” He nods in agreeance. Sister Kelly closes her eyes and speaks to Jesus. She pauses for an answer, then opens her eyes and asked him if he wants help to get up. He stammers ‘yes.’ Then she stands up and gives him her hand, which he uses to assist himself up. He hugs her and walks away quickly so that he can go back to home to see his daughter. Not completely sure what has happened, the crowed cheers anyway as the man happily begins to run off. The worker tells the police that they are not needed and promptly closes the phone.
Immediately Sister Kelly reminds everyone that everything that they have seen is God’s doing and that every person here is just allowing themselves to be used by God to bring more people to Himself and Jesus. More people keep coming and learning more about God, Jesus and his grace, mercy and love. The atmosphere is full of love as people from all walks of life speak and get to know each other. Even when the police show up to make sure that the call was really a false alarm, one of the officers decides to come back to the church when his shift ends.
In the twilight hours of the AM, when the sensation of the night finally calms down, people are still mingling and going to the back for food that has been prepared. It is perfect! Everyone is talking and getting to know each other. Before people leave they take cards from the church vowing that will come back. The Pastor is excited. He opened up his church for this new age revelation, which meant that he had to give up one of the most important calendar days of the year. He closed his church on Easter Sunday and did not have any services. Of course the absence of this important church service upset several members. The Pastor invited them to make food for those in need. Some regular members did, but most did not. Some regular members said they would attended another church just to attend a local service.
The last couple of weeks this situation stirred up a lot of commotion. At first, the pastor was nervous when he started hearing countless complaints. Some members even politely questioned his ability to hear God’s voice. Although they loved Sister Kelly, her faith was even questioned when the members were not able to change ‘The Coming’ event from the Easter date. Looking deeply concerned Sister Kelly politely told the disgruntle members that she was absolutely willing to change the date and anything else if God is.
Then Sister Kelly asked them for a volunteer to bring all of the complaints together. Waiting for a reply, she looked at everyone. Then she told them that, they can decide amongst themselves which person they wanted to formally complain to the creator of the universe about what he wanted to do in his house on his day of celebration. Stunned by her words, no one volunteered. Sister Kelly ended by saying they all can pray about it, until they decide who will do it.
Needless to say, all of the verbal complaints to the Pastor ended. Even though some members are still not happy, not one person said anything else to the Pastor or to Sister Kelly again about this matter. The Pastor obeyed and listened to what God had put on his heart, and his membership roster nearly tripled. He is thrilled, as he talks to Sister Kelly and greets the new members.
After everything that happened Teri stands near the front door amazed! Most people are gone as the sun is beginning its awaken, adding various bright colors to the sky as it is slowly rising. Not in all of her wildest dreams can she have imagined the events that she has actually witnessed that day. Nothing can have prepared her for all of the people experiencing the love of a God that really does love them. Knowing that everyone is almost gone, Teri quickly tries to get Sister Kelly before she leaves. With Christopher sleeping in her arms she runs as fast as she can toward Sister Kelly’s moving car, calling out for Sister Kelly to stop.
There is something that Teri knows she has to ask, before she goes to bed. Sister Kelly slows down after seeing Teri coming after her and rolls down the window asking, “What’s wrong?” Teri is panting so hard it is difficult to get the question out. Sister Kelly cuts off the car and is about to get out, when Teri motions that she does not have to. Teri sits on the pavement to get herself together, while Sister Kelly patiently waits. Then Sister Kelly slowly opens her car door making sure not to hit Teri. Taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Teri finally asks, “How was all of this stuff done by Christians and non Christians?” Sister Kelly slightly laughs and smiles compassionately.
“Beloved, I can understand your confusion. We will have to talk to tomorrow-- God be willing. I will not be able to stay long. I have a very urgent matter that I must attend to--someone is waiting. However, I will say that there are laws that we have to abide by and being apart of a religion is not apart of any of the laws. Religions and traditions make people act a certain way. Many believe you have to do several traditional things in order to be a Christian. Sometimes those traditions get in the way of God’s will being done.
Now, to briefly answer your question--you have to believe in God and Jesus. Jesus is the key that unlocks all of the secret and not so secret doors. That is why we are called ‘Believers.’ Are common element is that we all believe in God and Jesus. Many Christians do not really believe in Jesus, and some people in other religions really do believe in Jesus. Therefore, Christians and non Christians can all do the Lords work. As you continue to ask God these right questions you will soon have the answers that you need. I am proud of you, keep asking and seeking and you will find what you are looking for.” With that, Sister Kelly closes the door and drives away. Sister Kelly sticks her hand out the window and waves goodbye.
Still amazed Teri realizes for the first time that everything in her life is perfect. Although things might not seem perfect, they are indeed perfect because of Gods balance. Her husband might have hurt and abandoned her, but the love and affection she misses from him, is balanced out by God. Her job might not always be there for her, but God will always balance out her financial needs. Her son might go through various growing pains, but God will balance that out as well. As a praying woman, Teri is destined for greatness—Gods divine greatness! Teri smiles as she gets into her car, and starts it. She knows that as a hard working praying woman the balance will be slightly tilted. The perfect balance will be shifted in her favor with each prayer she speaks. Teri smiles knowing that she is going to mature into the spirit being she is destined to be. Despite everything she will be okay—better yet highly blessed!