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This story was written for Samantha H.'s "Whatever Goes" contest.
Our whole town consisted of nothing but church-goers at one time, all 72 of us. They started to stray, but that changed about 30 years ago. Some people say it was just the change in times, but most of us know better. It was that new preacher, Nathan James. He changed us all, and mostly for the better. Sure, we all have our own versions of how he changed things, but we at least agree on the fact that it was him that changed the town.
It all started when old Deacon Smith passed away. We were sitting outside the General Store, talking about who was the best candidate to take over Deacon Smith's job. I turned just then, and saw him walking towards us.
"Why, it's good old reliable Nathan! We were just about to start talking about you. I'll bet your ears were starting to ring." I said.
"Ah, it comes and goes, comes and goes. I never pay it no never-mind. Something is always being said about somebody." Nathan said as he sat down on the last available chair. "So what were you about to say, anyway?"
"We were just saying how someone has got to take over for Deacon Smith. He passed on Monday, and today's Wednesday. We've got to get someone in there before Sunday. And just like a sign from God Himself, you walk right up. It sure looks like we've got our man!"
"No! You all need a seasoned preacher. My fellow townsmen, you are way too hard on a man. I don't have myself a death wish! Look what you did to poor old Smith there!" Nathan laughed, but was only half joking. These people expected a lot from their preacher, and he wasn't sure he could deliver.
Just then, Harry, the town mayor, stood up. Everyone fell silent to hear him speak.
"Nate, I've known you for most of your life," Harry started. "You are the best man for the job. We need a God-fearing man to preach His word to us. We can't put a sinner up there!"
"Ah, you don't believe I'm a sinner, is that it? Well, don't let any man pull the wool over your eyes, Mayor. There ain't a man among us that hasn't sinned against God. We all know things about each other that we wouldn't dream of saying out loud, except maybe in our little gossip circles. And if I was preaching to you, that would have to stop dead! Anything that can be said out loud for God to hear, should be acceptable to anyone standing around. Like I said, we are all sinners, and if we want to be able to pass through those Pearly Gates, we better just start acting like God is in the room with us, because that's just where he is! Why, Mayor, he's standing right there behind you with his hand on your shoulder. And Tom, don't look now, but he's holding your hand. And Butch, you know how your foot always feels better when you sit down? Well, dang, don't you know it's because God's massaging it as you sit there? No, if I'm going to be preaching, you are all going to be non-sinners!"
Suddenly, Harry's face lit up with the biggest grin. He walked over to Nathan and placed an arm around his shoulder. "I told you, you are the best man for the job, and that speech you just gave made a believer out of me and every man here! If anyone can put an end to all the sinning going on in this town, it's you." Harry reached into his jacket pocket, took out a small stack of papers, and handed them to Nathan, who slowly reached out to take them.
"I took the liberty of getting those from St. Peter's Church when I went up to the big city yesterday. I just figured reading these pamphlets will help, whether it was you or somebody else. But truth be told, I was sure hoping it would be you," Harry said, still grinning.
"Now you just wait one cotton-pickin' minute, Mayor." Nathan was feeling backed into a corner. "I never said I was taking the job."
That was the precise moment that Justine stepped out of the General Store. Justine was the woman that most single men in town wished they had a chance at marrying. And those that were already married, wished it was to her. She ran the store ever since her daddy passed away three years ago. She was a beauty that could stop a conversation whenever she entered the room, and that's what happened just now. All heads turned toward Justine.
Justine took a few steps toward the men and said, "Pardon me for butting in, fellas, but I was thinking..."
"Well here's an oxymoron if I ever heard one: a thinking blond. You slay me." Ricky slapped his knee and started to laugh, but stopped short when Nathan rapped him on the back of his head. Ricky was the one man who had had enough courage to ask Justine for her hand in marriage. Although she turned him down politely, he took it hard and never forgave her.
Justine was quite embarrassed over what Ricky had said in front of everyone. But Nathan quickly put her at ease with his harsh words to Ricky.
"You see what I'm saying, Ricky? You got no right to talk to Justine that way, disrespecting her like that. Don't you know God just heard what came out of your mouth? And then you go and eat with that same mouth! Didn't your mama teach you anything about respecting women?"
Ricky was visibly embarrassed himself, and quickly apologized to Justine. "I'm awfully sorry, Justine. Please forgive me?" He lowered his eyes to the ground, but looked up quickly with a sparkle in his eyes when Justine forgave him.
"Why, of course you're forgiven, Ricky." Justine was used to Ricky's remarks. He didn't make them often and not usually in front of anyone else, but she had heard enough of them since she had turned him down. She probably would have married him if he had asked her before her father died, instead of right after. She just had too much to do at that point in her life, and she didn't think she stood a chance with Nathan, who had never shown any interest in her.
Nathan wasn't quite through with Ricky yet. "Maybe Justine here forgives you, Ricky, but it's not just her forgiveness you need to worry about. God heard what you said, and he isn't as quick to forgive. You need to say a few prayers and beg for his forgiveness!"
Embarrassed again, Ricky knew Nathan was right, and was quick to say so. "You're right Nathan, I am a sinner, and I will pray for forgiveness, I will." He bowed his head in silent prayer as the conversation continued.
"Go on, Justine, tell us what you've been thinking," Nathan said.
"Well, forgive me for eavesdropping, but I was listening to what everyone was saying, and I believe you are the best choice to take over the Sunday sermons. People listen to you, Nathan. And you really do know what God expects of people. You're smart, kind, and you truly care about the people in this town. Your way with words and with people can turn this town and everyone in it around to the Lord's way. You have to at least consider trying it. I think most of us in this town love you, Nathan."
Justine took Nathan's hand in hers and looked in his eyes . "Please, Nathan, just try it out. I think it's a perfect fit."
'Just like our hands,' he thought. No one ever knew this, but Nathan had always had a thing for Justine. As good as he was with people, he didn't know what to do or say when it came to showing his love for a woman. Everyone thought that he just never found anyone who caught his eye. But actually, he just never let on that Justine had caught it long ago.
He realized that if he were to take this position, it would be a lot easier with a woman by his side, and the only one he had ever wanted was Justine. If he was going to take on this job, he might as well go for broke, right in front of everyone.
"Justine, I realize that this might come as a shock to you, and everyone else here right now, but if I'm going to make such a big change in my life, I might as well make it big." Nathan dropped to one knee before continuing. "Justine, I know I've never let you know this, but I've been in love with you for a really long time. I hope you'll say yes when I ask you, will you..."
Ricky couldn't believe what he was hearing! He jumped up and started, "Now you stop right there, Nath..." He was stopped by a large firm hand over his mouth, and looked up to see Butch staring at him with one eyebrow cocked.
"Shut up and sit down. You're rocking the boat." Butch didn't give Ricky a choice when he pushed him back into his chair. He stood over him to make sure he stayed down.
Nathan had never taken his eyes from Justine's. When it was quiet again, he continued, "Justine, will you do me the honor of being my wife? I promise you that I will make you as happy as God permits me to. Please, Justine, please say yes?" he begged.
Justine couldn't believe her ears. She never would have guessed that she would someday be married to the only man she had ever fallen in love with. "I'd being lying to myself if I said I wasn't interested, Nathan. And I've never been a good liar, so I guess I had better say yes!"
Nathan rose to his feet and picked her up all in one sweeping motion. They hugged tightly as all of the men standing around were smiling and patting each other on the back, except Ricky. He just sat in his chair, shaking his head in disbelief. Finally, he got up and walked away. Within a few days, he had left town without saying goodbye to anyone. No one ever heard from him again.
So, we had a new preacher that Sunday, who got himself a new wife the following month. Within a year, the whole town was almost sin-free. I'm not saying we were angels or even close. But that Nathan James, he almost put the sheriff out of a job!
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