"Oh.....that's nice. How do you like it here in the big city?"
"Oh, I like it, but I do miss our little town and especially everyone at our church."
'Church.....so that's her deal,' thought Christine. "So what kind of church was it?"
"Oh non-denominational......just a bunch of us folks who love Jesus."
"OH!" Christine replied. Then she told herself she'd asked enough questions for one day and that she didn't know what to say after Izzy's last comment anyway. That night Christine had trouble sleeping; she kept waking up full of questions about God and Jesus.
The next morning, while she was making her coffee, she began wondering more about this new mysterious co-worker. 'She seems so content! How can she be so happy without shopping for new clothes and all the fun accessories.....I just don't get it! She makes a good living.....it's not like she can't afford everything and anything she wants, but she doesn't seem to want anything! And I am baffled. She always smiling and she's a good worker too! I gotta find out more,' she thought. But as she inquired more, her questions kept taking Izzy back to God and church and Jesus. Christine continued having disturbing dreams that woke her up at night.
Then one morning, she arose from bed; feeling exhausted and decided to probe even more deeply into this girl's head. She just had to learn more, so she asked: "SO.....have you been to Hinkley's boutique yet?"
"No," Isabell replied. "Is that where you shop?"
"Yeah, among other places! But that's my favorite!"
"But don't we get an employee discount here?"
"Yeah and I love the clothes here, but it's so much fun checking out what the other stores have to offer! Hey I'm going on a big shopping spree this weekend......you wanna come with?"
"Well, I don't think I can make it......Dave and I, that's my husband, have plans," Isabell replied.
"
Oh, what's going on?"
"We're having our first Bible study with some of the neighbors Saturday afternoon and then Sunday, we're going to check out this new church," she replied.
"Well, not to be rude or anything, but don't you ever get that itch to shop?.....get yourself some new things?"
"Not really.....I pick up one or two pieces a month and around five or six new things when the season changes.....I've never gone on a shopping spree.....I just don't feel the need."
"Oh.....why do you think that is? IF you don't mind my asking?"
"No....it's okay.....I guess I'm just happy with what I have and I love to sew, so sometimes I alter the clothes I already have....like for example, when I put on a few pounds, I turned some of my pants into skirts and now they feel comfortable and I get to wear a new creation that no one else has.....I even get a complement now and then," Isabell replied, as she turned her attention back to her work.
That night Christine was more disturbed by Isabell's comments than ever. She went to her favorite boutique that weekend by herself, but somehow, it just wasn't the same and she knew it had nothing to do with the fact that Brooke wasn't able to go with her that day.
Then Monday morning, Christine had a new question that she couldn't resist asking Isabell. "So did you and your hubby enjoy the new church you were telling me about?"
"Yes it was very nice and we met a lot of nice people."
"Oh that's good and how did the Bible study go?" Christine asked; wondering why she cared.
"Oh it was wonderful! I think everyone got a lot out of it......so much joy in the Spirit!"
"Joy?" Christine asked; her eyes widening.
"Oh YES!"
"HEY.......could I join you guys for your next Bible study? Christine asked; shocking herself with her own words!
"OH OF COURSE!" Isabell replied, with a big, warm smile.
That weekend Christine learned some amazing new things that brought her a whole new and different kind of joy. And several weeks later, she joined Isabell's church and became a born again Christian!
Right after the service, Christine invited Isabell to her swank, modern apartment and took her new friend straight to her bedroom closet. "Look at all these brand new clothes! A few months ago, shopping was what I lived for, but now, I can't help but look at them and feel regret. So I got to thinking; there's this children's hospital not far from here, plus a homeless shelter where I here they have a lot of children staying and I have my own sewing machine......what do you think if I were to take some of these new clothes and turn them into some donations for those needy, poor kids? I could make stuffed toys, hats, scarfs.......what do you think?"
"I think that would be tremendous! There's no doubt you got that idea straight from Heaven! What a wonderful way to extend the love of the Lord!"
"It would bring me so much joy.......God has really changed my heart and my materialistic view of the world!"
"PRAISE GOD!" Isabella replied. "It's a wonderful idea to take the love you have for material and bless others, rather than just living superficially and materialistically."
"Well, I never would have changed in this way if it hadn't been for you leading me to the Lord Izzy."
"Amen. I'm so glad!" Isabell replied.
I have been writing for many years, mainly children's fiction, inspired mainly from my own three kids/motherhood
in general. I hope this exposure gets me started satisfactorily publishing if it be in God's will, if not I am happy just for the sharing; Christian writing requires sharing the most
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