Page 125 of Protector
Like God would want her to do—showing love to others.
“Next, we have Samantha Williams.”
The preacher looked to her and held out his hand.
Sam stepped out from behind the partition and took his hand.
Warmth started at her toes and worked its way up until she was waist-deep in the baptismal.
“Sam and I have had quite a few long discussions in the last couple of weeks. Haven’t we?”
She nodded.
“You told me you had something you wanted to share with the congregation?”
She nodded again.
The preacher handed her the mic.
“Um.” Her neck warmed. “I had a rough childhood and a past I’d rather not talk about. Although I became a Christian when I was younger, because of everything I’ve been through, I came to the conclusion that God didn’t care about me. That maybe He wasn’t as good as people said he was. Then I met a man who told me about the God he knew.” She looked at Liam. “He said that God was always with me and that He would work everything out. I have seen how God has worked in my life in the last several weeks, and now I know that God is good. I know that I am a sinner and don’t deserve His grace, but He’s freely given it to me through His son Jesus Christ.” She handed the mic back to the preacher as the congregation clapped.
“Because of your profession of faith to make Jesus Christ Lord of your life, and in accordance with the walk of a disciple, I baptize you, my sister, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
The preacher lowered her into the water and raised her back up.
She emerged from the water with tears flowing from her eyes. She was new. All the old life, Madison and Samantha, had been washed away, and she was a new creation.
The congregation clapped.
She stepped from the water and into the arms of Barbara, who had been meeting with her twice a week since the fire. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you. For everything.” Sam gave her a hug.
Sam had been studying Barbara’s Bible, and the notes had intrigued her enough that she’d asked Barbara if she’d be willing to meet with her and help her grow in her understanding.
Sam dried off and changed clothes before joining Liam and the girls in the sanctuary.
Liam immediately grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. “I’m so proud of you.” He smiled the smile that melted her heart a little more every time, then slid his arm around her waist. This was home.
Sam knew that Liam was the man God had made just for her, and she would be spending the rest of her life with him. She just had to wait for him to catch up.
“Ready?” He squeezed her hand.
She turned to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “For anything.”
His arms slid around her waist. “Anything?”
“Anything.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.
THE END
