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The Rev felt God put it on his heart to be here. He had made himself comfortable on a chair in the background and sat in the hospital ward as Joshua answered questions asked by the police. Joshua was wanted regarding some unpaid fines that accumulated while he lived in Melbourne. He must have thought that by leaving the state the fines wouldn’t follow him.
The police officer left.
Joshua stared over at the Rev. “Who are you?”
The Rev got up and walked over to the bedside. “I’m Peter Thomas, a pastor at a church in the city.” The Rev preferred to use the ‘Pastor’ title as it was less formal than his normal title. He put out his hand.
Joshua shook the Rev’s hand. “I’m Joshua. Nice to meet you.”
“Sounds like you’ve been through a bit.”
“Do you mean the fines or my recent adventures?”
“Both, I suppose. Do you have family in Brisbane?
“I think so. I came here to track down my brother, and boy, have I got myself into something.”
“Have you tracked down your brother?”
“No . . . we sort of drifted apart, a bit like our family . . . it drifted apart too.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. But you know he’s in Brisbane?”
“That’s the last I heard from him. He said he was going north to sunny Brisbane. It’s taken me a few years, but I got here.”
“You have, with bells and whistles. Sorry, that was my attempt at humour.” The Rev noted that brought a smile to his face.
“Maybe you can help me find him?”
“I will, Joshua, but first we need to make sure you’re okay with the events that you have been caught up in. How are you feeling?”
Joshua swallowed. “Do you believe in angels, demons, heaven and hell, and all those things?”
“Certainly do.”
“Well, I do now. The girl with me told me about Jesus and I need to get myself right there. Can you help me, because my eyes have been opened . . . in a big way.”
The God appointment became clear. “I certainly can.”
<°)))><
It was a private affair held on Wednesday at a funeral chapel. Just close friends and relatives.
Mackenzie came in earlier than the others. She stood beside Paul’s coffin. She closed her eyes to hold back her tears. She saw his face in her mind. He told her that all was okay. She sensed God’s peace.
Why was she brought back to life? Why not Paul? The Rev reminded Mackenzie that God’s plans are God’s plans. Paul was now home, and Mackenzie must still have something that needed to be done on the earthly plane.
<°)))><
The Rev sat at his desk reflecting on his meeting with Joshua. The Lord and events had obviously changed him. He was working on a strategy to help Joshua out with the fines and other issues. A knock on the door startled him. He looked at his mobile phone, checked the time, and realised he had an appointment. His diary said it was the Minister for Urban Movement.
The Rev got up and opened the door. He noticed the minister recording something on a small note pad. “Hi there, Minister.” The Rev put out his hand, “The Rev Peter Thomas, lovely to meet you.”
“You too, sir. My name is Grant Windsor.” Windsor handed the Rev a business card. The Rev had a quick glance at it.
They entered the Rev’s office. It was a small office with a lot squeezed in. Besides a visitor’s chair facing the desk, there were two small couches separated by a coffee table. The couches provided the more informal feel needed for counselling sessions. The Rev moved some newspapers from one of the couches and invited the minister to sit down.
“Do you have a business card?” Windsor asked.
The Rev walked over to his desk. He placed the business card the minister gave him on the desk and retrieved one of his own business cards. He came back and handed it to the minister and then sat on the other couch facing the minister. “People aren’t sure how to address me. Some know me as the Rev, others use my name, Peter. The choice is yours.”
“The Rev has a nice ring to it. I can imagine you’ve been a bit busy of late. I suppose it’s not every day that people are brought back from the dead.”
“You’re right there. And with that have come the crowds and the traffic. Hence your visit.”
“Well, yes and no. I have to admit I’ve been naughty and used my title to get in and see you.”
The Rev felt a little uncomfortable. “Go on.”
“I would like you to come and pray for someone for me.”
“I would be happy to do that. Tell me more about your prayer request.”
“Well, Rev, it’s my son, and he’s dead.”
<°)))><
