CHAPTER VII
Stopping at the information desk, he learned she was in Room 305. As he rode up in the elevator, he had mixed emotions. How sick was she? Would she mind his coming to visit her? He promised himself he would stay only a few minutes, but, oh, how he did long to see her once more.
He knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in," a male voice answered his knock.
Pushing open the door, he walked in breathlessly. The blond-haired young man he had seen with her the day he started to go to church, was sitting in a chair by her bed. He stood up as Dave came in.
"Why, hello, Dave, this is quite a surprise," Jennie's voice sounded weak. "I'm so happy to see you." She extended her hand to shake his. "Dave, this is Sam Rayford, a friend who attends our church. He came by from work to check on me. Sam," she looked at the blond, "Meet Dave Maddox. You have heard me speak of him."
"Yes. Nice meeting you, Dave."
"Same to you, Sam." Dave dropped his eyes as he shook hands with Sam. Was this peculiar feeling on the inside jealousy? Nonsense! But why was he blushing and stammering like a school boy?
After a few words to Sam, Dave addressed Jennie. "I have only a minute or two, Jennie. But I have tried to contact you several times at home and, as you know, have been unable to. I wanted to see how you were feeling and also to tell you my good news first hand."
"It's wonderful, Dave. You can't know how happy your conversion has made me." She started to cough. For a minute or so, she coughed uncontrollably, while Dave and Sam looked on, helpless to assist her.
"I guess I'll run, Jennie. If I stay, you will try to talk and I see it makes you cough so I'll check with you later."
"Please don't go now, Dave. You just got here," she begged.
"Guess I had better, Jennie. Too much company isn't good for you." He looked meaningfully at Sam causing him to squirm and drop his eyes.
Sam stood up. "I've been here longer, Dave. I'll go and let you visit awhile," he offered graciously.
"Stay as long as you wish, Sam. I'm going. Hope you get to feeling better, Jennie." His statements were clipped and unnatural. He gave Sam an ugly look and hurried out.
"My, you would think he was jealous," Dave overheard Sam say as he hesitated outside her room.
"Not Dave, Sam. He would never be jealous over me. If you could have seen how devoted he was to his wife ....” She started coughing again.
"I see I must go, too, Jen. Take care of yourself and I will see you later."
"Let's pray before you leave, Sam," Jennie said between coughs. "I have such confidence in your prayers."
Dave's heart was pounding as he hurried to the elevator. He felt ashamed and confused. He could not understand the turmoil in his heart where before there had been such peace. What was wrong with him? Why had he acted so hatefully toward Sam? He was sure God was not pleased with his actions, but at the time it seemed to be beyond his control. "I just can't understand it," he thought. "I was so wonderfully happy on my way to the hospital but now I feel so defeated. Oh, God," he prayed, "show me what's wrong."
As soon as he reached his apartment he locked his door and dropped on his knees. He needed help.
"Oh, God," he prayed brokenly, "I just can't understand this struggle within--after such peace that's been in my heart. Please help me, Jesus. I'm sorry for feeling so bad toward Sam. I couldn't seem to help myself, Lord. Will you forgive me and help me to feel right inside?"
He felt better after confessing his need to God and was able to sleep peacefully that night.
Sunday morning found him up early, getting ready for church. He parked his car at 106 Washington a little before ten o'clock.
"Good morning, Dave, I'm so glad to see you out of the hospital and able to attend the service," Rev. Smith greeted him as Dave shyly entered the sanctuary.
"I'm glad to be here," he replied.
Walking down the center aisle, he sat about halfway from the front. Across from him, he caught a glimpse of Sam. A feeling of shame crept over him as he remembered the way he had acted toward him.
This was the first religious service Dave had ever attended. Though it was quite different from what he expected, the singing and message was blessed to his heart.
As Dave walked toward his car after the service was dismissed, Sam approached him.
"Hello, Dave. Sure good to see you out to church." He extended his hand toward Dave. Dave looked down at the ground as he shook Sam's hand.
"Thanks, Sam," he mumbled.
"We would like to have you worship with us regularly, Dave. "
Dave raised his head and looked Sam in the eye. He realized that Sam was sincere in wanting him to come back.
"Sam-uh," Dave stammered. "Sam, I'm sorry for speaking to you so coldly while visiting at the hospital. I have asked God to forgive me. Will you?"
"Of course, Dave. Think nothing of it, ole boy." He laid a hand on Dave's shoulder .
"I haven't been able to figure it out, Sam."
"Figure what out?"
"Why I acted the way I did. Ever since I was saved, I had such wonderful peace, but after that episode, I felt defeated, that is, until I prayed and asked God to forgive me. I've never seen Jennie act angry or ugly in any way. What's the matter with me, Sam?"
Sam shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "The old devil's after you, Dave," he finally answered. "He knows you mean business with God, but if you keep obeying God and walking in the light, God will see you through."
"But how do I know that I won't act up again? That awful feeling seemed to spring from my heart." Dave was sincere in trying to ascertain his trouble.
"Dave, you are a 'babe in Christ.' You have repented of sins and have been born again. But the Bible tells us there is another law in our members warring against the law of our mind, and attempting to bring us into captivity to the law of sin. There is a carnal nature within even after we are saved and this nature must be eradicated if we are to live victoriously. This eradication comes about through a second definite work of grace which we call 'sanctification.' "
"Oh yes, I remember hearing Jennie say she was sanctified. Then, that's what keeps her so kind and tender?"
"Yes, Dave. It is the Holy Spirit within her heart. He will come into your heart, too, if you'll invite Him. He wants you to live to glorify Him so He is anxious to rid you of the carnal nature and take up His abode in your heart."
''I'm beginning to understand, Sam. Thanks for your help."
"I'm glad to be of assistance, Dave. Say," he added as an afterthought, "have you heard from Jennie?"
"No, I haven't been back to the hospital. How about you?" He looked Sam in the eye.
"I haven't heard either. Well, I did call her mom and she told me she was much better and would probably be discharged tomorrow. Why don't you go back to see her this afternoon? It would probably do her lots of good. She has really carried a burden for you, ole boy."
"Yes, I know. No telling where I would be had it not been for her prayers." Dave glanced down at the ground again and kicked at a pebble. "Sam," he said warily, "what about you? Aren't you going to see her today?"
"I guess not. I'm thinking of going over to see Becky. See the young lady over there with the blond hair and pink dress?"
"But, Sam, I thought you and Jennie were .... "
"We're good friends, Dave. To be perfectly honest, I could think a great deal of Jennie, but she doesn't care for me, only as a friend, so it will be best if I don't see her much. Jennie's a wonderful girl, the most consistent Christian I've ever known. But. .. " he smiled at Dave, "she's not for me. Good luck, Dave."
"Thanks, Sam."
"See you later."
"So long, Sam."
After a sandwich and a glass of milk, Dave headed for the hospital. He felt relieved to hear that Jennie was better. Maybe she would be able to converse this afternoon without so much coughing.
As Dave tapped on her door a few minutes
later, he was glad to hear her voice sounding so much stronger as she called, "Come in."
"Hello, Jennie."
"Why, Dave, you can't imagine how glad I am to see you." Her face lit up with a glow. "I was just thinking of you and wondered if you attended church this morning."
"I sure did, Jennie." He shook the hand outstretched to him. "I certainly missed a certain black-haired young lady, though," he added with a smile.
"You can't imagine how I missed being there, Dave. This is the first Sunday morning I've missed church since I was saved three years ago."
"You've been saved three years? I guess you did not need to change much. I can't imagine your being any other way but the way you are."
She smiled, "I'm glad you didn't know me before I was saved, Dave, for you are very much mistaken. I had a lot of changing to do. The Lord had to make me over completely for I was just as worldly as I could be, stubborn, rebellious, and very sinful in many ways."
"I can't imagine it. Jennie. I'm glad I didn't know you then. I like you as you are."
Two hours passed quickly as Dave and Jennie chatted and fellowshipped together. Dave looked at his watch. "My, my! I had no idea it was so late. I'm ashamed for staying so long when you need your rest. Forgive me, Jennie."
"I've enjoyed every minute of it," she assured him. “The fellowship has been wonderful. I enjoy talking about the things of God. He has been very near to me since I have been laid up. I was quite restless at first thinking of the work that needed to be done for God, but He has helped me to rest in Him." She blinked back the tears. "I'm so glad to be a Christian, Dave, and to have good Christian friends. Let's have prayer together before you leave. You pray, Dave. "
As Dave attempted his first vocal prayer, the Holy Spirit settled down and melted their hearts together.
"Come again, Dave," she invited with tears in her eyes. "And, Dave, keep seeking God for a pure heart. I'm so glad you confided in me concerning your need and your talk with Sam. God will sanctify you when you meet His conditions."
"Pray for me, Jennie. I want to be like you."
"No, no, Dave, not like me but like Jesus. Strive to be like Him."
"When can I see you again?"
"I'll tell you what, Dave. Come over to my house Thursday night if you don't have other plans. I should be up and around by then and Mother and I will prepare a good meal for you. I suppose you get tired of eating your own cooking."
"You talk like my landlady," Dave laughed. "but I'll certainly be over. So long for now, Jen."
"Bye now. Pray for me."
He was lighthearted as he left the hospital--quite different from the last time he had left her. But now that he had humbled himself and made things right with Sam, it was surprising how good he felt.
The Sunday night service was a time of refreshing.
"I feel God would have us spend some time tonight in testifying," Rev. Smith was saying. "Sometimes a good testimony will do more good than a sermon. Perhaps there are those here tonight that have an unusual testimony that they feel will be a blessing to someone else."
Dave's heart began to beat faster. He felt he should tell what God had done for him but not knowing how to testify, he kept still. Sam rose to his feet and with tears, he began, "I don't think my testimony is unusual and I don't know how much of a blessing it will be, but I do want to testify for my Saviour." He continued by telling how faithful God had been to him and how He had kept His hand upon him all through life because of his mother's prayers. "I can never remember committing great sins, but yet I was a sinner and needed to repent." He related how God had saved him at the early age of twelve and sanctified him shortly afterward. "I want nothing but God's will in my life," he finished and sat down.
Again Dave felt as if he should testify but his testimony was not like Sam's. He was thoroughly ashamed of his past life so maybe he had better not say anything.
An elderly man stood to his feet. "I appreciate our good brother's testimony," he said. "It's wonderful when our young people are restrained from a life of sin by godly parents and the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit. But sad to say, I didn't have a Christian heritage such as Brother Sam's. My dear dad was a drunkard and though my mother was a good woman, she wasn't a Christian, so I never had the opportunity to attend church." He paused and looked over the congregation. "I thought I would just sit still tonight and enjoy all the other good testimonies, but the Holy Spirit prompted me to tell in detail of my conversion. Perhaps, there is someone here tonight that it will benefit."
Dave's heart was beating faster. The old gentleman's testimony thus far had already reminded him of his own life. “After all," he thought, "I am not the only one here who does not have a Christian heritage."
The man continued, "I went out into deep sin as a young lad and became an alcoholic like my dad. I was a gambler and sowed all manner of wild oats. There seemed no hope for one as wicked and ungodly as I, but thank God, the Bible savs that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief, and that included me."
Dave could hardly contain himself. He remembered having read that very verse in the Testament that Jennie had given him. He did not understand it then, but now its meaning was certainly made clear. He leaned forward in his pew so as not to miss a word of his good testimony which he felt God was prompting for his benefit.
"I'll never forget the night I was sitting at the bar with my drink already poured and about to guzzle it down," the man continued, "when the door of the tavern opened. We all turned to see what old friend was coming by for his nightly drink, but this fine-looking young fellow came in with a Bible in his hand. For about ten minutes, he held us all spellbound while he preached the best sermon I've ever heard. Then, before the bartender could throw him out, he was gone. I've never seen a man so mightily used of God. Those big strong men sitting all around that bar looked as if they had seen a ghost. They started setting their glasses down one by one and walking out. I was among them. As I stood outside that old tavern, I wept like a baby. I looked up to the sky and said, 'God, if there be a God, help me to find You.' I started walking, I knew not where, but there seemed to be an unseen power directing my steps. After walking about ten blocks I heard singing, and I looked up and saw the man who had come into the bar, standing on a street corner with a group of people who were singing. I crossed the street and joined the little band. Others passed on by, but there was something within me that compelled me to stop. After the singing, the young man opened his Bible and delivered another powerful message. I cried the whole time he preached, for God was sending the message directly to me. When the young preacher finished, he looked right at me and said. 'Sir, God is dealing with your heart. Won't you come to Him tonight and let Him have His way with you?' I didn't need any persuasion but fell on my knees and started to pray, confessing my sins as the young preacher instructed me to do. Thank God, the Lord saved me right there on the street corner. He cleaned me up, took the old filthy habits away and made me a new creature in Christ Jesus. Amen! I haven't drunk a drop of liquor, or smoked another cigarette. Thank God, this is a salvation that frees a man from sin and it is for whosoever will. God is no respecter of persons but can make the vilest sinner clean if he will come to Him in true repentance. Hallelujah!" Looking toward Rev. Smith he said, "Forgive me, Brother Smith, for taking so much time, but I felt impressed to give my testimony tonight."
"Always mind God, Brother Atkins," Brother Smith admonished him. "Your testimony was to encourage someone here tonight."
"It has certainly encouraged me," thought Dave. He had never heard anything like this before. His heart overflowed with joy and gladness.
"And now your testimony," an inner voice prompted.
Trembling, Dave rose to his feet and opened his mouth to speak, but he could only weep. The good brother's testimony had had an effect on him that would be lasting. It was hard for him to comprehend the depths God would reach to save a soul from hell. As Dave sh
ook with emotion, Brother Smith spoke, "God bless our new convert. It's wonderful what God has done for Dave."
"Yes, it is," Dave agreed as he regained his composure. “I was like this brother who just testified, I have lived a sinful life, but because of the prayers of one of your members and the great mercy of God, I stand before you a saved man." Amens were heard throughout the congregation as Dave continued brokenly. "When my wife passed away, I became as bitter as a person could possibly be, I was mad at God and the whole world for taking her from me. But thanks be to God for being so merciful and not punishing me according to what I deserved, He kept dealing with my heart even though I did my best to shut Him out. I would drink liquor until my mind was too foggy to think because I wasn't man enough to face reality. But I'm so glad God brought me down to a hospital bed so I could get still long enough to think seriously." He stopped as he was overcome with emotion once again.
"Amen!" shouted the elderly man who had testified, “Glory to God!" .
Waves of glory swept over the congregation as Dave continued, ''I'm thankful to you, Brother Smith, for your part in helping me to find God. Also, I'm deeply indebted to Jennie Taylor for her faithfulness in praying for me and dealing with my soul. I'm sure I would never have been saved had she not been faithful. Most of all, I'm thankful to God for His abundant mercy that has been extended to me, unworthy as I am. I need your prayers. I am weak in some areas but I know God can help me. I love Him with all my heart and want to spend the rest of my life serving Him."
"God bless you, Dave," Brother Smith encouraged him. “He will see you through if you will keep your little hand in His big one. Read your Bible and pray every day and continue to walk in all the light He gives you." Addressing the congregation, he added, "Let us be faithful to pray for Dave. The devil has many snares laid out for souls, and especially for a new convert, so let us pray for him daily. Also, let us continue to pray for Jennie. We surely do miss her, don't we? God is using this faithful servant of His to win souls and she needs much prayer.
God gave unction and liberty in the preaching of His word and when the altar call was given, two young girls responded.
Dave was in a state of ecstasy as he drove toward his apartment singing bits of the songs he had heard in the service. Never would he forget this memorable service. No wonder Jennie had said she could not quit talking about her religion, that it burned in her heart. He could understand that kind of language now.