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If not for the Midtown Village, Maggie might not have known Levi that well. If she had only worked at the women’s ministry office at Midtown Chapel in downtown Atlanta, she wouldn’t have spent so much time at the Midtown Village, especially in the Christmas season, and wouldn’t have needed supplies from the church warehouse where Levi worked.
In the twenty-two months since Levi’s breakup with Soline, Maggie had not once disclosed to Levi that she had begun to likehim more than as just a friend. She was afraid Levi would run and that’d ruin their friendship.
She’d rather love him secretly and quietly in her own way. It would be best if he never knew that she’d somehow fallen in love with him.
It was her fault that she had. It was all one-sided and it couldn’t last. She’d get over it once Levi started dating Forsythia as he so wanted. She’d leave town and forget about him.
Maggie washed her face and brushed her teeth. She usually read her Bible before she showered, and so she did. Being able to keep that routine meant that she was on the mend.
She thanked God as she continued reading through her Bible. She was in1 Peter 3:8-9 today and felt that God was speaking to her.
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
A blessing.
Yes, Maggie wanted to be a blessing to Levi. Perhaps that included helping Levi find a good Christian girlfriend, who could eventually become his wife.
As long as Levi was in God’s perfect will, Maggie would be happy to let him go. Levi might not be for her after all.
Most importantly, Maggie wanted God’s best for Levi.
Maggie prayed for God’s will to be done in Levi’s life and also in her life and her new job in Florida. At this moment, she felt that she was doing the right thing leaving Atlanta. That way, she wouldn’t interfere in Levi’s life.
He seemed sure that he was meant to have Forsythia, even though at this point, she was still ignoring him. The ice-breaker had come Saturday night and Maggie had ruined it by falling sick and getting Levi all concerned for her.
“I’ll make up for it.” Maggie reminded herself to text Alden sometime today to remind him that they were setting up a blind date for Forsythia. “That needs to be soon, maybe in the next few days.”
She made her way back to the living room, happy that her stomach ache was subsiding. She was grateful that Levi had insisted on taking her to urgent care, and thankful to God that the clinic was open at all on a Sunday morning.
Sitting on the couch with the Bible on her lap, Maggie accessed the Midtown Chapel website where the livestream was happening. She could have connected the laptop to the big screen television via an HDMI cable, but she didn’t feel up to it.
The church service started with on-screen announcements and reminders to tithe and sign up for believer’s baptism. As usual, Mrs. Smith was at the piano, playing a medley as people took their seats.
The giant screens on two ends of the stage displayed announcements.
“Don’t miss the Christmas play this weekend. Three evenings only. Invite your friends. Friday night is sold out, but Sunday matinee tickets are still available. Skip your nap, bring a neighbor. Find these announcements and more on your church app and website. Sign up for them at either place. Or scan the QR code on this screen.”
The music director and his worship ensemble took the stage.
Ping!
Maggie picked up her phone from the coffee table. It was a message from Levi. She had forgotten to text him when she wokeup. Well, did that mean she was really letting him go—since she hadn’t thought of him since he dropped her off this morning?
Maggie
I’m awake and fine. Thank you for taking me to urgent care. I’m livestreaming the service on my laptop. Maybe I’ll see you in the audience.
Levi
You need proof that I’m in church?
Maggie
Haha.
Levi
Thank God you’re getting better. I prayed for you this morning. I went home to change. I didn’t make it to Sunday school but I’m in church now and will take notes for you.
