Free Imagine That by Kristin Wallace Page A

enough, eventually I’ll get to the right one.”
    â€œEmily, have you ever considered your car breaking down in Covington Falls was no accident?” Rachel asked. “Perhaps you’re here now for a purpose.”
    â€œI’m not sure I believe in fate. I’ll make my own destiny.”
    â€œRely on yourself, you mean?”
    â€œExactly. People only let you down anyway.”
    She shook her head, and Emily had the feeling Rachel now felt sorry for her . “You’re quite young to be so cynical.”
    Pride made her stiffen. “Not so much cynical as realistic.”
    â€œI gather you don’t believe in a higher power.”
    â€œYou mean God? I took a couple religion courses in college, and the theories are interesting, but I can’t say I bought any of them.”
    â€œI’m not talking about religions ,” Rachel said, her tongue clicking as she waved a hand in dismissal. “I mean a God who loves and wants the best for you. A God who has a plan for your life.”
    â€œNot the way my life has gone. What about you? Is God in control when you’re sick and—” Emily gasped and clapped a hand over her mouth. “I am so sorry! What a horrible thing to say.”
    Rachel didn’t respond with outrage. Instead, her gray eyes turned serious. “I suppose I could lose myself in bitterness. Blame God for my illness.”
    â€œI think you’d have a right to be angry. If your God is so in control, how do you explain why terrible things happen in the world? Why is there cancer? Why do children die? Why do we have wars and evil people who want to wipe out entire races?”
    â€œWhat you intended for evil, God intended for good.”
    â€œWhat?” she asked in bemusement.
    â€œIt’s one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Have you ever heard of Joseph?”
    Emily shook her head.
    â€œYour professor didn’t cover his story in your religions class?” Rachel asked. “Joseph was the son of Jacob, who later became Israel. He had twelve sons.”
    Emily sat straighter. “Oh, right. The tribes of Israel descended from them. I remember now.”
    â€œYes. In any case, Joseph was the favorite son, and his brothers resented him. They hated him so much they sold him into slavery.”
    Who knew soap operas started in the Old Testament? “Wow, talk about sibling rivalry. I thought I had it bad with my family. What happened to Joseph?”
    â€œHe ended up in Egypt, and eventually found favor with the Pharaoh because of his gift for interpreting dreams. One of those dreams predicted a great famine. Joseph ended up being put in charge of making sure Egypt would have enough food stored up for the people to survive. Once the famine hit, people came from all over the land in search of food. Including Joseph’s brothers.”
    Emily snapped her fingers. “Oh, sweet. Justice.”
    Rachel gave a look Emily recognized from disappointed college professors lamenting over brainless students who just did not get it. “Not justice. God’s plan. Joseph was sent exactly where he needed to be in order to protect his family, and the future of Israel. Which is what he told his brothers. What you meant for evil, God meant for good.”
    â€œDo you think your cancer is going to stop a famine?”
    A weak chuckle rumbled through Rachel’s chest. “I doubt I hold so much importance. I do know God’s plan is perfect, but we don’t always understand His ways. Perhaps I’ll only know when I’m back with Him again in heaven. We’re all here for such a short time, but I have an eternity to look forward to with my Heavenly Father.”
    â€œHave they made you a saint yet?” Emily asked.
    Again, Rachel responded with warmth rather than offense. “No, dear. Don’t think I’m perfect. I have struggled. I still do.”
    â€œBut you have faith.”
    â€œI do.