Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: MATCH (08/26/21)
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TITLE: If It’s the Last Thing I Do | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jennifer Warren
09/02/21 -
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As Bex leafed through wedding pictures, she couldn’t help but chuckle.
She heard Simon walk in. He leaned over her shoulder. “Tell me, Rebekah: How did you meeting your amazing husband?”
Bex looked at him. She kissed him and winked. “Our aunts introduced us.”
He winked back.
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Bex reflected on her relationship with Aunt Sylvia. She had grown close to Sylvia after Bex’s dad, Sylvia’s brother, died unexpectedly. Bex’s mom had predeceased her dad by four years, and Bex’s sister was a missionary in Uzbekistan. Although Bex was a graduate student, Aunt Sylvia stepped in to provide continuity.
Bex cherished the deep conversations she and Aunt Sylvia had. Bex chuckled at their lively banter over marriage.
Their last visit was no different. Bex stayed with Aunt Sylvia the last week of September 2003 like every month.
“Bex, you need a good husband,” Aunt Sylvia said. “You’re a Proverbs 31
young lady. A godly man, would be blessed to have you as his wife.”
“Aunt Sylvia, I’m not ready yet.”
“All right, Miss Rebekah, if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll find you a husband.”
“Okay, Auntie.” Bex playfully rolled her eyes and kissed her forehead.
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On October 13, 2003, Bex sat in the front row of chairs of South Street Community Church, head bowed as the pastor prayed. She heard someone sit beside her. When the pastor finished praying, Bex glanced to her right to see a young fellow.
The young fellow smiled nervously and whispered, “Sorry, I’m late. I drove from out of town.” He paused. “And got lost.”
Bex smiled politely and returned her attention to the pastor.
“This day is full of happiness and sorrow. When someone goes to be with our Lord, like Miss Sylvia has, we’re grateful for her life and happy for her to be with Him, but we’re saddened because of our loss.”
Bex wiped tears from her eyes and swallowed hard.
“Miss Sylvia was spunky and lived a life of integrity and steadfastness that reflected her love for Jesus and others,” the pastor continued.
Bex felt the young man lean close to her. “Why does he keep calling her Sylvia?” he whispered.
Bex furrowed her brow and whispered to the young man. “Because that’s her name.”
The young man’s face flushed. “This isn’t the Maria Hagopian service? South Street Presbyterian?”
Bex almost snorted. She slightly shook her head. “No, they’re across the street.”
The young man smiled. He nodded his head. And didn’t move.
“You aren’t going?” Bex asked.
“And embarrass myself again?”
Bex wasn’t sure what to think and turned her attention back to the service.
Bex started to chuckle. Although containing her laughter, she started shaking in her chair. The young man laughed silently and shook in his chair too. The good thing was that – from behind – it looked as though they were crying … hard.
“I’ll close with this,” the pastor said, “where we spend eternity depends on what we do with Jesus on this side of eternity: do we accept Him as our Savior and live our lives serving Him? Or do we say, ‘No, thank you.’?”
“True,” Bex heard the young man say. “Only Jesus gets us out alive.”
Bex liked the way he framed that. She smiled.
“This service has been to celebrate Miss Sylvia’s life, but I promised that I would ask if anyone wants to give their life to Jesus. Or if you have questions about what that means, talk to me after the service. Let’s pray.”
When the pastor finished praying, Bex turned to the young man. “I’m Bex Novak.”
“Bex?” the young man asked.
“Rebekah.”
“Ah.”
“That’s Aunt Sylvia,” Bex said pointing over her shoulder.
“I figured.” The young man smiled. “I think I would’ve liked her.”
Bex agreed. “Probably.”
“My name’s Simon Hagopian.”
“Maria’s …?” Bex probed.
“Ttardy great-nephew.” Simon pointed over his shoulder. “I should go see my family.”
Bex smiled and nodded.
Simon turned to leave but turned around. “This will probably sound strange.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Bex grinned.
“Do you want to go get coffee or something later?”
That WAS strange.
Bex was certain the day couldn't get stranger. “Why not?”
And so it was. Bex and Simon met that afternoon for tea and pie at Liger’s Bakery – the afternoon that Aunt Sylvia and Aunt Maria “introduced” them.
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Thanks.
I echo all of the previous commentators, what a precious uplifting entry.
Thank you for the warm fuzzy.