BEAUTIFUL YESTERDAYS

Rose sat on her favourite chair, staring into space and feeling lost. It had been two months since the most unforgettable day of her life, where a vigil she attended had sparked a hunger in her to know God more. She had felt so fired up, so enthusiastic about the things of God, that prayer had become her habit and the Bible sweeter than sugar cookies. She remembered feeling as if fire lived in her bones, because anytime she prayed, it felt like God Himself was in the room with her.

Nostalgia blanketed her. Things were no longer the same. Her story was different now. She had changed.

As the table clock beside her ticked steadily, she closed her eyes and walked down memory lane. What had caused her fire to die out? How come she had not read her Bible in a long time now, and prayer had become so big of a burden? Where was the desire she had felt so strongly two months ago?

As she pondered, pictures of yesterday began to waltz through her mind. She remembered how two weeks after the vigil, her friends had invited her for an event a popular musician was hosting. She remembered not having any interest in it, but because she had not wanted to disappoint her friends, she had obliged them. She had come back from that event feeling esctatic, but drained. 

Her friends had come over many times after that to gist, play and watch movies; activities that were not bad in themselves, but had slowly sucked out the desire she had to know God more. Before long, she had no time for prayers anymore, or Bible study. Her friends always had something to talk about, a movie to see, a party to go, a course to take... Everything happened so fast and by the time she realized she had lost something, she did not know where to start. 

"God," She prayed softly, as tears formed in her eyes. She had missed the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit so much."I don't know exactly where I missed it, but I need your help."

The prayer felt odd and it reminded her of how far she had strayed. She saw her Bible on her bed and remembered a quote by Carl Bard, "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending."

So what if her relationship with God had suffered a little strain because of wrong influences? She did not have to stay in the same spot, beating herself up, when God expected her to shake herself and stand up as if nothing had happened.

She grabbed her Bible and lowered herself to her knees, the way she used to before. As she began to pray, a call entered her phone. Without checking to see who it was, she switched off the device.

"Not today, Satan." She said and closed her eyes again. It was time to talk to her Father. Alone.