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Perhaps in the future Maggie might still move to Florida. But right now, for such a time as this, Maggie knew she was needed at Midtown Chapel to help with the women’s ministry. There was much kingdom work to be accomplished yet, and there was a seat in the house of the Lord for her.
Church dismissed and people walked out or stopped to chat with their friends as “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” filled the sanctuary.
Maggie got up and Levi helped her put her down coat on. Truly she didn’t need any help—where was Levi when she had worn the same coat all those years?—but she didn’t want to turn him down. It felt nice to have a companion who cared.
It was definitely more interesting to walk through life with someone she loved and who loved her.
As they made their way toward the doors at the back of the sanctuary, they wished friends and strangers a hearty “Merry Christmas!”
In the lobby, people milled about, taking pictures in front of various Christmas decorations.
“Shall we get a selfie?” Levi pointed to the two-story Christmas tree in the atrium.
“Why not?” Maggie followed him through the crowd.
Volunteers were taking photos for people in a queue. Levi and Maggie had to line up and wait a bit. When it was their turn, Levi handed his phone to an available volunteer, and they stepped toward a spot in front of the Christmas tree.
Levi put his arm around Maggie’s shoulders and leaned toward her ear.
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart,” he whispered. “Let’s serve God together.”
Let’s serve God together.
Then why did God allow Maggie to resign from church work and then to get a job at Lakeside Resort? Why didn’t God send anyone to stop her? Tally could have. Malachi could have. Her parents could have. Even Mrs. Kim could have.
Yet no one did.
Slowly, the reason dawned on her.
It was a test.
Lakeside was a test.
The test would make Maggie answer two questions.
If God calls you to go, would you go?
If God calls you to stay, would you stay?
“Yes, Lord,” Maggie whispered softly enough that she was sure nobody heard her but God. “Yes, Lord.”
Chapter Seventeen
On Christmas morning, Maggie was sitting at the breakfast counter, drinking hot cocoa with marshmallows on top, and talking to her brother on her tablet. The tablet was sideways on a kickstand on the counter. It was easier that way since there was no coffee table in the living room to hold the tablet. Besides, it had a bigger screen than her phone.
Maggie could see Malachi’s face on the gallery view of the video app. One panel showed Maggie and the other panel showed Malachi’s live video. His hair was askew, like he had just come out of the shower. But he had shaved nicely and put on a red-and-black buffalo check flannel shirt, as if he was going somewhere.
“You got a better offer,” Malachi stated on the video call. His words made it sound like Maggie’s employment choice was self-serving.
“Well, the better offer came from God Himself.” Maggie wasn’t upset with Malachi’s response, but her brother was sometimes blunt as blunt can be.
“Have you called Colette?” Malachi leaned back on the couch he was sitting on.
“Tomorrow. I don’t know if she’s at the office since it’s the day after Christmas—even though it should be a workday at the resort—but I’m going to try to reach her,” Maggie said. “I hope she understands my situation.”
“I’m sure she will. She’s more spiritually mature than you think.”
Wait. What?
