‘God always gives us a chance to put things right.’
Mrs Carter looked up. ‘Are you one of them too? They're full of advice about what God wants. But they don't follow it... Look at Janet... And what she's up to with that woman at the garage. I suppose you're her new playmate.’
‘Janet's my friend. And no, I'm not into anything like I think you be meaning. Neither is she. Not anymore. And this wouldn't have happened if you'd showed her the love she longed for.’
‘It's not my fault she's a lesbian. And there's none of my blood in her.’
‘That shouldn't have stopped you from loving her. Her friend provided the love you didn't. And then it went a bit further because sometimes, the need for the physical stuff gets the better of us. With Janet, it was another girl. With you, a man.’
‘How dare you! What does a little kid like you know about that anyway?’
‘More than you might be thinking. A few months ago, I was a prostitute. So, I know what sex can drive people into and where it leads.’
‘You were what?’ Harriet's forehead wrinkled. ‘And you come here to lecture me on what God teaches. I wonder if you've thought what he's going to do with you someday.’
‘He still loves me, as he always has. Even when I was selling myself. But now Jesus is part of every moment of my life, and I know I'm forgiven.’
‘Ha! Where do you get that from?’
‘The Bible,’ Charlene continued as she pulled the book from her bag and turned the pages. ‘I've got a little girl. She's nearly a year old now, but I couldn't keep her. My sister's looking after Betsy. She's a bonnie lass.’
‘I suppose your Jesus has forgiven you for that too?’ Harriet sneered.
‘Yes, he be forgiving me, certainly.’ Charlene moved her chair closer to Harriet and read. ‘God so loved the world that he gave his ….’
‘That stuff's for the good people,’ Harriet interrupted.
‘I'm alive today because God loves me, not because I'm good. Peter saved my life. And Janet saved me from eternal death by leading me to Jesus.’
Charlene smiled. How she loved telling this story. ‘You know, I saw one of his angels. I was standing on a bridge. About to jump. And there he was... on the water, clear as anything. I knew he wanted to save me, but I didn't understand how. Or why. So, Janet explained, and that night I gave my life to Jesus in return for what he'd already done for me. Things that I didn't deserve.’
There was silence as Harriet stared at Charlene.
‘Mrs Carter, God will forgive you everything if you ask. Simply saying sorry and believing what Jesus did for you on the Cross is enough to get his help to begin changing your life around.’
Harriet reached over and pulled the Bible towards her. Charlene pointed to the passage she had just read.
Shaking her head, Harriet pushed the book away. ‘Not after what I've done.’
‘Nothing ever puts God's forgiveness out of reach. Provided we really want to change. But often, that can be tough... And maybe that's where you be standing now. Trying to find the courage to admit what you are doing is wrong and begin to put it right.’