The Smiths and Samantha were on the way to her trailer after their delicious meal at the Tasty Freeze!
Dan started, "What part of the sermon spoke to you?"
Alice asked, "Who are you talking to, Honey?"
"Each of you."
JoJo started, "God doesn't want me to waste my life. Not even one day. Not even one moment. I want to learn from every moment. I don't want anything to brush by like the wind."
Alice proudly said, "Thanks, JoJo! That was beautiful!"
JoJo once again used his Rocky voice, "You talking to me?"
Alice fired back as she laughed, "I'm talking to you."
By now everyone was laughing.
JoJo had one more Rocky imitation. "Thank you very much."
Dan spoke up, "I have been worrying about the future."
Alice asked, "How so, Dear?"
"I plan for my business. I want to control the numbers, but I can't! Sometimes, they scare me. I think, 'What if we lose our house?' or 'What if we can't pay for Remi and JoJo's college expenses?'"
Alice pushed, "Anything else, Dan?"
After a few seconds of silence. Dan admitted, "I worry that in the end I have not done enough to please God."
This was heavy. Samantha took it all in. She spoke up.
"Mr. Smith, I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I know Jesus forgives All our sin! Past, Present, and Future. Sure, faith without works is dead. But, I believe God wants us to follow Him. To allow His Spirit to flow through us to help others. I believe each of us has a specific ministry."
Dan paused, "That is so true Samantha. But, am I allowing God His rightful place in my life? Am I being used by Him in His perfect plan?"
Samantha actually counseled Dan. "Maybe you need to take some time to get alone with God and ask Him."
Those words allowed Dan to relax. "That's exactly what I need to do. Thanks, Samantha."
"I don't have any Rocky voices, so...you're welcome."
Everyone quietly laughed, because God had just used Samantha to speak such a powerful word.
There was quiet, except for the Pat Terry 8-Track playing in the background, for several minutes.
Finally, Samantha broke the silence. "I have been a prisoner to my past. I would rather not talk about specifics, but I have been ashamed of my clothes, my home, and my family. I have had some rough things happen to me. The devil has used these against me. But, I am going to claim God's Word every time I am reminded of my past. I AM A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST!"
All said, "AMEN!"
Alice exclaimed, "Oh, Samantha! We love you so much! Please know we are here for you."
Samantha surprised the Smith men when she said, "I appreciate everything y'all done for me, and I would really like to talk to you sometime, Mrs. Smith."
Alice was honored. "It's a date, my dear!"
JoJo asked his mom, "What did God say to you this morning, Mom?"
She simply said, "Others."
Samantha asked, "What do you mean?"
"I need to help others more."
Dan fired back, "Honey, you help others more than anyone I know."
Alice simply stated, "I can do more."
About that time, the Smithmobile pulled up to Samantha's trailer.
Samantha thanked the Smiths, then said, "Call me later, JoJo."
"I will, bye."
God smiled.
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