She had been avoiding this moment for over a year now but there was something about a party held in your honor that didn't lend itself to avoiding any particular guest. Sarah wasn't sure why he had come or even why he had been invited. Wasn't it taboo to invite an ex-boyfriend to a friend's party?
Graduating law school (and passing the bar!) was an accomplishment to be sure and it was true that she might not have made it through the first year without Grant's help and tutelage but they had broken up two years ago and she had been studiously avoiding him for a year so why was he here? It was terribly unfair that in a few weeks they would both move away from campus and her previous year's diligence would be worthwhile, yet here he was walking toward her and she had nothing to duck behind.
“Congratulations, Sarah.” Grant's dimples lit his typically serious face with sincerity as Sarah tried to recall every reason why she shouldn't still love this man. “I heard you're moving back to Owensville to practice.”
Sarah nodded, swallowing to find her voice. She could argue a case in front of the meanest judge but Grant still made her swoon. “My mom's all alone now,” she shrugged, “I'm all she's got left. What about you?”
“I will be working in Richmond for a non-profit, providing cheap or free legal counsel to those in need.”
“That's great, Grant. I didn't really expect you to do that but – it's great,” Sarah spluttered, trying to cover her shock. Grant was a really great guy but he had always been more ambitious than not. He had always wanted to land a prestigious job immediately after passing the bar to help him vault up the corporate ladder.
“Actually, there is something I wanted to talk to you about, Sarah. Something I wanted to explain,”Grant looked around the crowded party tent anxiously, “this isn't perhaps the best place for it but...”
The squealing microphone interrupted him. Sarah was relieved. Whatever Grant had to say she didn't want to hear it. A year ago she had given her life to Christ and had been working furiously to overcome her feelings for him since learning that she should not marry a non-Christian. She had found her best weapon to be avoidance and had used it profusely. She had just wanted to get through these last few weeks without seeing him and to move on with her life.
Sarah's best friend was at the microphone, asking her to come up and speak. Sarah gave Grant an apologetic, though slightly relieved, look and made her way to the front. On the way she tried to transition her mind from her overwrought thoughts of Grant to the little speech she had prepared to give. She didn't want to look like a complete idiot no matter what but certainly not with him in the crowd.
She smiled at everyone as she grabbed the microphone. “Thank you all for coming. I am very excited to be here celebrating the fact that I have passed the Virginia Bar Exam!” As Sarah grinned at the crowd her eyes met Grant's, he was grinning proudly back. She gave him a special smile. She really wouldn't be standing here today without his help.
“I have already secured a job in my hometown. I will be joining a general practice there and am looking forward to helping people with all the important moments in their lives.” Sarah paused for a breath of courage. She wasn't used to talking in public about what she was about to say and there would be quite a few people who might be put out. “I would ask that any of you who are of the Christian faith, like me, to keep me in their prayers. That the transition from student to full-fledged attorney won't be too painful and that I can really help people and be bold to talk about my new-found faith in Jesus Christ.”
As Sarah's eyes scanned the crowd she found Grant's face. He was gaping. She blushed – that wasn't a good sign. Grant probably just thought smart people didn't believe in Jesus. Oh well. She didn't care if he did think she was crazy, she would continue to pray for him and not think of him any more than that. At least she would try not to.
Sarah stepped away from the microphone and was met with a wave of handshakes and hugs. It was a few moments before Grant was standing before her once more.
“You're a Christian? Really?” he still didn't look much beyond his earlier shock.
Sarah nodded, hoping he wouldn't say anything demeaning.
Instead, Grant grabbed her in a hug. “I have been praying for that for a year and a half! I haven't been able stop caring for you, even since becoming a Christian.” He pulled back from her and gazed deeply into her eyes, his hands warm on her upper arms. “I thought, I had hoped, if you were to become a Christian that maybe we could...”
Sarah couldn't believe her ears. She felt shock start to take hold of her as well. She shook her head to clear it and quickly closed her mouth, which was beginning to gape on its own.
“What I mean to say is... Would you be interested in going to a concert with a group from my church this weekend? I would love to introduce you to some friends.”
Sarah found herself nodding, speechless. How could it be that the man she had tried so hard to resist feelings for was no longer forbidden? God was so very faithful. Her heart nearly burst with love.
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