Free Angels of Humility: A Novel by Jackie Macgirvin Page B

your Sunday school class appreciated what you had to say?”
    “Who are you to think that you hear better than all these people? No one in this room except you—the brand new Christian—believes that this jail is from the Lord. Don’t you think you’re being a little arrogant? And we all know that arrogance is a sin,” added Intimidation.
    Confusion broke over her like waves; she felt like she was going crazy. Malta suggested she open her Bible to Matthew chapter 25. She half expected it not to be there. When she read verse 36,
“I was naked and You clothed Me; I was sick and You visited Me; I was in prison and You came to Me….”
she started to cry again. Malta gently whispered, “Yes Sarah, you heard from the Lord. See how the Holy Spirit rests on you when you read this verse? Do you feel how your heart grieves when you hear plans that go against Father’s heart?”
    “Intercede for Father’s will, not the will of the people, to come to this town,” said Joel. “Never stop standing for God’s will, even if you
feel
like you’re standing alone. You’re never alone when you’re standing for Father.”
    Malta was incensed from listening to 45 minutes of prayers that were addressed to God, but were contrary to His will, all begging Him to do something He had no intention of doing.
    “Get up Sarah,” encouraged Malta. “You’re the only one here tonight who can pray God’s will about the jail—the only one!”
    With great physical and emotional effort, Sarah shuffled toward the microphone. Joel and Malta were providing invisible yet necessary support on her right and left. She was trembling as she bowed her head and closed her eyes.
    “Lord,” she began, her voice wavering, “I believe You’ve shown me that this jail is Your will. I know that’s not a popular thing to say. I also believe that You showed me that I and other church members have the responsibility to visit the inmates and tell them about Your love for them. So I would just ask that You bring about Your will in our town on this matter.” When she opened her eyes and looked up, the whole congregation was staring at her. She had planned to read Matthew 25, but realized she would break down sobbing if she tried. She felt far too vulnerable to cry in front ofthis group. She closed her Bible and with her two unseen helpers imparting strength to her fragile frame, she shuffled back to her seat. As she passed each pew, heads turned to watch her go by. The silence was loud.
    I should have expected this from her
, thought Paul.
Why am I not surprised? Now how do I close this meeting? Lord, how do I wrap this up nice and neat?
    “Why do you want things nice and neat Paul? Jesus stirred controversy everywhere He went,” said Saldu. “Desire the truth, not the path of least resistance. You don’t need a wish bone, you need a back bone.” 4
    He walked slowly to the microphone. “Lord, thank You for the people who came out tonight to pray; bless them. Thank You that You see what lies ahead for our church and community. Bring Your will to pass. Amen.”
    Sarah didn’t understand the impact that her prayers would have in Heaven, but she was pretty sure that between Paul and the church members, she’d just signed her social death warrant.
    Lying immediately criticized Respectability and Intimidation for their failure at keeping Sarah from praying.
    “Don’t worry,” said Respectability, “this is just round one. There’ll be lots of other opportunities.”

     
    Driving home, Paul vented to Kathy.
    “I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it,” He gestured wildly with his hand. “But yeah, I really can. If I’d expected anyone to stand in opposition, I’d pick Sarah.”
    “Be nice. She has a right to pray her conscience. Last I checked this was still America, you know.”
    “Very funny. You obviously don’t understand the seriousness of the situation. Her actions are just going to cause division and strife. She’s going to