Free Leading the Way by Marsha Hubler

saying. What was going on?
    Thumpity thump. Thumpity thump. “It’s your turn.” Someone seemed to be speaking to Skye.
    Skye looked at Mr. Chambers, whose eyes had already found hers. Their message was loud and clear.
    Now, to make matters worse, busy Mrs. Chambers just happened to look toward Skye. “It’s your turn!” That same voice spoke through the woman’s beautiful blue eyes.
    But I can’t! More than ever, Skye wanted to crawl inside the crate on which she sat.
    Thumpity thump. Chick-en…Skye!
    Am not…am not…am not!
    “Anyone else before we close in prayer?” Mr. Chambers fired his question right at Skye.
    Skye’s glance swept the circle. Every pair of eyes, without exception, had found the same person.
    Dad means me! Gulp!
    Skye had been a Christian long enough to know that in times of crisis, the best thing to do was pray.
    And the crisis is now! God, I need you. Right this minute. I do have a lot to thank you for. So if it is my turn, I’ll do it!
    Finally, Skye’s chicken heart mustered a swell of new-found strength. Like an electric charge, courage coursed through every nerve in her body. In an instant, Skye the Coward became Skye the Brave!
    She could do this.
    She would do this—for her Lord.
    Slowly, Skye stood.

Chapter ten
    S kye, go right ahead!” A smile of victory beamed from Mr. Chambers’ face.
    A circle of eyes riveted on Skye.
    Mrs. Chambers strolled from her table and stood behind Joey. She folded her arms and gave Skye an assuring wink.
    “I—I—”
    “You can do this,” a Voice whispered deep in Skye’s soul.
    Skye took a deep breath, determined.
    Amazingly, words started flowing from her lips as fast as her heart was pounding. “I just wanna say that I used to be a pretty rotten kid. I blamed everybody else for all the trouble I caused. I ran away from everything and everybody, even God. But when Jesus came into my life, he gave me the guts to face my problems. I found out that it was him I was running away from all along. Now I know he’s with me through anything. He’s the best friend I have. That’s all!” Skye looked at her foster mother for approval, released a deep, long sigh, and sank back down onto her crate.
    Eyes watery, Mr. Chambers took a moment to find his voice. “Thank you, Skye. The Bible says that Christ wants to be as close as a brother to those who ask. If any of you would like to talk to me privately about your walk with God, see me afterward. Your testimonies were excellent. Let’s stand and we’ll close in prayer.”
    As Mr. Chambers started, Skye glanced at Morgan, who gave her a quick thumbs-up. Out of the corner of her eye, Skye watched Katie, who slowly stood with her head hung low. Her solemn face seemed set in stone.
    Now what’s goin’ on in that brain of hers?
    Skye just had to find out.
    Sunday and time to go to church!
    Katie surprised everyone. Dressed in her Sunday best, she arrived first at the breakfast table. She smiled all the way to church—and through it! It seemed to Skye that Katie actually listened to the video in teen class and to the pastor in the main service, as well. At dinner as at breakfast, Katie used her best manners, taking only one serving of every dish. Something was definitely different!
    Skye studied her new friend as though Katie had grown an extra head. Despite prodding from Mr. and Mrs. Chambers as to why she had decided to attend church, Katie simply said, “I just wanted to. That’s all.” Not until the afternoon when the girls were grooming their horses in the barn did Skye have the chance to find out what was really going on.
    “All right, Katie, let’s have it,” Skye said as she ran a metal comb through Champ’s long, flowing tail.
    “Have what? One of these brushes?” Katie’s tone was light, almost a giggle. With a brush in each hand, she worked hard on Boomer’s coat.
    “You know perfectly well what. What’s with you and church all of a sudden? And you usually inhale two plates of