Boxed & Broken

After a barrage of emails over two or three weeks, Grace felt comfortable enough to give Jay her telephone number. It took Jay a couple of days to get the nerve to call. He thought things were too perfect. Everything they discussed on email fit like a glove. It was almost like there was a con going on. He loved her humor, her intelligence, her intensity and her love for God, but he simply didn’t think this could be real. He finally got the nerve to call. “Hey Grace, this is Jay.” “Well it certainly took you a long time to call. Did you lose the number, lose your phone or just have cold feet?” “None of the above. And what does having cold feet have to do with anything?” “You tell me. I gave you my number three days ago. We’d been chatting on email every day for the past three weeks. But when you get my number, a chance to call and actually talk to me, you don’t call or email. That equals cold feet to me or maybe getting my number was your conquest.” Jay admired her spunk. “I just wanted to see how anxious you would be to hear my voice. And I see you must have been very anxious.” “I don’t know if anxious is the correct word,” she said. “In reality, I just wanted to see if you had the guts to call. But since you finally got the nerve to dial my number, are you going to pray?” she asked. “Pray?” Jay asked, a little confused. “Yes, pray. You said you are a man of God. We are getting ready to have our first live conversation and I’d think you’d want God to be in this.” “Maybe I prayed before I dialed your number.” “Maybe, maybe not. But now that I have you on the line, I would like for you to pray for this conversation and that God’s will to be done. That is if you can pray.” Jay could tell immediately that he was going to have to be on the top of his game. “Oh, I can pray. But before I start, are there any additional prayer requests that you have at this time?” “No, that’s it for me. But it would be good if you prayed for your son and the welfare of his mother, too. Don’t you think?” “Those prayers are lifted up daily. Why don’t we do this? I will pray and allow the Holy Spirit to lead. That way, it won’t be about me or you, but about God’s will.” “Well go on with your bad self….” Her request for prayer simply blew Jay’s mind. He had talked to hundreds of women on the phone; many claimed that they were Christians, but never in all his days had any women ever asked to pray that God be involved in their conversation. In fact, most of the conversations he had, even with women he knew had a relationship with Christ, had little or nothing to do with their faith. His mind was swirling. He didn’t know what to think. But he unleashed a prayer so powerful, so poetic and poignant that it even shocked him. He felt something special was happening. “Amen,” he said at the conclusion of the prayer. There was a long silence. “Grace, are you still there?” “Well Mr. Jairus Jamison, I guess you can pray,” she said with emphasis, impressed by Jay’s power-packed conversation with God. Sonja Jenkins came home after a spirited church service and knew what she needed to do. The next step in her life, which had been clearly defined by what God had been telling her in prayer, was reinforced by the sermon. What the Lord had placed in her spirit during the awesome praise and worship celebration had life-changing potential. She could not wipe the smile off her face nor could she wait to tell her friends how her life was about to change. She knew that this time she had heard from the Lord and all was good. As Sonja approached the door of the apartment she shared with her boyfriend Justin, she could hear the yelling and screaming. She had completely forgotten that the opening round of the NFL playoffs were being played today. Right now, football didn’t matter. She had her marching orders and her beloved Raiders were not a central part of the deal. She could not believe the overwhelming feeling of purpose and relief she felt as she placed her keys in the door. She entered with a smile so big it lit up the room. “Girl, what you so happy about? You just missed the whole first quarter. And we’re ahead,” Justin said, who quickly glanced at Sonja between plays. “You musta been listening to the game on the radio.” “I really didn’t miss anything,” she said. “In fact I got everything I need.” Justin turned slowly, giving Sonja a serious glare. “Whatcha you talkin’ bout girl? This is the playoffs and you missed the first quarter,” he said slowly and seriously. “You haven’t missed a first quarter of a Raiders’ game in five years.” “Yeah, girl, what’s got into you?” asked her best friend Margie. “Jesus,” she said as she put her purse down and walked slowly to the kitchen. Margie got up in shock and walked into the kitchen. Almost whispering she asked, “Did you say, Jesus, as in Jesus Christ?” Sonja smiled brightly. “Yes, that Jesus. I found him today. Or should I say He found me.” Margie looked at her. “It’s real this time, ain’t it? O, my God, I can see it in your eyes. Wow, what’s it like?” A robust scream rose from the living room, “Run, run, yeah boy run to the house.” Margie sprinted back to the living room and started screaming, joining the chorus of Justin and her friend Scott. “Touchdown!!” they all screamed in unison, stood up and did their patented Raiders’ touchdown dance. Sonja could hear the slapping of hands and the tapping of dancing feet. She just smiled, thanking God for all He had done in her life that she could celebrate. As she reached in the refrigerator to get a glass of orange juice, Justin came sprinting into the kitchen. “Baby, the Raiders scored. They’re up by 10 points,” he reached into the fridge and grabbed a beer. “What you doing back here? You need to change into your Raiders’ outfit and watch the game.” She smiled and looked at him. “Damn, girl. What in the heck happened to you? Did you drink too much of the communion wine?” “What I got today was better than any wine,” she replied. “You didn’t believe the hype, did you? he asked. “Tell me you did not believe the hype.” Justin looked in her eyes. “I know a smart and fine young lady like yourself did not bite the apple and believe all that Jesus mumbo jumbo.” “It’s not mumbo jumbo, Justin. It’s real. Jesus is real. He spoke to me.” “He spoke to you?” “Yes, He did.” “He spoke to you this morning?” “Yes,” she said with confidence. “Did He tell you if the Raiders were going to win the game today,” he smiled and looked at her, obviously trying to shock her back into his reality. “He didn’t mention football at all.” Josh stared at his clock as the time slowly came into focus. He fought to find himself as his eyes pulled together the digital display on his clock radio that told him it was 3:45 a.m. Then his mind had to grasp the reality that his cell phone was vibrating and even though it went to voicemail, it was ringing again. “Hello,” he said in a hoarse whisper. “Yo, Josh man. I didn’t think you’d be sleep. Not you,” the voice rang out. “You should be partying like us.” “Who the heck is this? Do you know that it is almost four in the morning? I’m outta here.” “Don’t go Josh,” the voice screamed. “I’m outside your door. I need some, you know? And if you hang up, I’m gonna start ringing your doorbell.” “Carl, is this Carl? “You know it’s me, man. Come on and open the door.” “I have told you over and over that this ain’t no 24-hour shop,” Josh said, still trying to get his bearings. “I got business hours brother, and I dang sure do not work at four in the morning.” “Come on, Josh. How long is it gonna take you to measure me out a gram? You probably got it prepackaged like Burger King,” Carl, said, obviously a little drunk. He was talking so loud Josh could hear him through his bedroom window, which faced the front of the house. “I got these two fine girls, man, and if I just got a little bit I’m good. Get up man, I’m at your door.”