For ChristianBelievers Summer With God one-shot contest! I hope you enjoy it!♡

The sound of the waves were meant to calm me in the midst of all my turmoil. That was why I came here, right? A sweet slice of paradise provided by my peers, meant to help me relax.

"Now, now. None of that pouty face, missy!"

I was reprimanded by my only friend, Lanny. She was still bright-eyed at being invited into this exclusive getaway. She was a bright person in general, always staying positive and seeing the good in every situation.

How I envied that.

"Quit looking so sullen! You'll never attract a guy looking like queen of the dead!" She pulled at my cheeks, her heavy southern accent made me smile anyway.

"Sorry, sorry. I really appreciate being able to come to the beach with you; it was nice of them to let me take one other person." I told her, trying to appease her.

She stuck out her tongue before giving a cheeky grin. "I'm just blessed it was me you picked! God is so good!"

There it was. It was no secret that my dear friend was Christian, I didn't mind it. Here lately, though, anytime she says something Christian-related I felt a strange itch. It climbed into my heart and then went to my mind like hot liquid down the drain. How can she say she's blessed?

Her home situation wasn't a good one. For the past year she has been met with one bad thing after the other. Her mother was now a diabetic, and her father has been struggling with finding a new job to provide for them all. Her younger brother was in his teenage years, and unfortunately, has given in to peer pressure and started drinking.

But she keeps saying she's blessed. I didn't know if it was her way of trying to stay upbeat, but her situation certainly didn't seem so 'blessed.' She has been going to the little church down the road from my apartment for years. Why would God put her and her family through all this if they were serving him? It just didn't make sense to me.

"I'm gonna go get my feet wet," Lanny said, and stood up from her beach chair that was provided. Her long red curls bounced as she ran to the shoreline. I couldn't help but smile at her giggles. She deserved any slice of happiness she could get.

What about you, though?

I stopped at those thoughts. It had been happening more and more lately. Along with the itches, sometimes my thoughts were . . . more pronounced. More defined than my usual, and I wasn't sure why.

I focused on the way the clouds turned pink during the sunset. The beach was truly beautiful, and the air was clean and fresh. So much different from the smog of the city.

This is what I needed, I kept trying to convince myself. But was it really? I still had bills to pay when I got home, and a project to finish for school. There was no time to relax, not with the busy schedule that was my adult life now.

It felt like a heavy weight was placed on my chest, crunching my stomach together uncomfortably. It made me want to cry; it made me want to crawl in a hole and forget the world existed.

Why was life so hard?

"Nadia!"

I looked up at the sound of my name, and saw Lanny waving me over. I got up and walked to her, wondering what she could be excited about. She was able to smile so freely, yet life was so cruel. How can she be so carefree?

I wobbled through the thick sand, feeling the grainy texture sink between my toes. The sand here had softer patches if you were lucky enough in stepping. The rest had layers with broken seashells that were rough.

"What's up?" I asked when I made it to her.

She pointed to a sand crab burying itself in the sand. "They're popping up all over the place!"

I smiled as I looked around; the waves brought in smaller crabs and they quickly ran to find a new place to hide.

"I really want a hermit crab for a pet." Lanny said as she swung her long tanned arms back.

I laughed lightly, feeling curious. "How come?"

She threw her arms out and wore a blanched look, brown eyes wide. "Because you can paint on their shells, silly!"

That made me laugh more, and we started walking down the beach. The cool water rushed over my feet every few seconds. "Oh yes, how could I forget?" I shook my head as I played along.

"And crabs are pretty cool."

"That's your opinion, not mine."

"Hey! They are!" Lanny laughed and stuck out her tongue.

I was glad I brought Lanny along, she always managed to keep my spirits lifted.

It was a warm evening, just what I liked. There weren't too many people out because holidays were over and school was in session.

"We can go to the gift shop down the road tomorrow; it's pretty big." I mentioned in passing as we enjoyed the scenery.

"Sweet. I'll get shirts for everyone!" There was a skip in her step, and if someone could ooze happiness, it was Lanny.

"Are you sure you have enough money for that?" I couldn't help but ask her.

She bobbed her head, "Mhm, the Lord will provide."

I grimaced as if something else in me reacted to that. It was as if I were torn; one part of me wanted to run away from the light Lanny had, and the other part was drawn to her. It was curious.

Lanny was always inviting me to go to church with her. I would always give her the excuse of work or school, which she never questioned. She never pushed it. She even asked me if it was alright for her to talk about God around me. I didn't mind it because it felt . . . strangely good to hear, deep inside.

I didn't grow up in a religious household. My dad was nonexistent, and my mom always believed that you work for what you get. That if you're a good person and do kind acts, good things will come to you.

But as I've found out throughout my life, that wasn't true. Good people are wronged all the time. Good people are killed.

"We should head back in, maybe order a pizza for the night." Lanny spoke up, causing me to stop just as she did.

"Okay, sounds good." I agreed, and we started our walk back. The night air was chilly, and I shivered.

. * .

It was like there were thousands of bees buzzing inside my body. It wasn't the good kind of buzz, either. This was of a filthy kind. They hit against the walls of my stomach and mind, causing my body to rumble shakily. My thoughts were too much.

For some reason, Lanny's words of her God kept repeating in my head. Over and over and over.

I wasn't sick, it was something else.

I spent my morning downing coffee and watching the news. It was filled with hopelessness, so I turned it off and sighed.

Lanny had gone downstairs, maybe I should just join her and quit being such a loner . . .

I got up to get my things, hastily throwing my damp brown hair up so it would be out of the way. I looked around for my small purse and found it on the desk where Lanny left her Bible. She had been up a little later last night reading.

I glanced at the open page, my fingers brushing against the smooth faux fur of my purse.

31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

It was Matthew 6:31-34, my eyes were drawn to it because it was highlighted in bright pink. The text was red, and I wondered who the speaker was.

The last time I looked into a Bible I had been confused because I was young and couldn't comprehend the writing. I knew the major stories from it like Moses and Jesus, and so on. I just never directly read from it. I never had the desire to.

The text I just read made the itch worse, and I hurried out the door.

When I arrived in the main lobby area, I heard a piano playing.

"The more I see you, the more I love you~" That was Lanny's voice, singing in a sugar sweet tone.

"I want to sit at your feet, drink from the cup in your hand, lay back against you and breathe, feel your heart beat~" When I turned the corner, I saw a small crowd and could see the familiar mess of red curls. She was playing the piano and singing.

"This love is so deep, it's more than I can say, Jesus thank you for loving me!" Her final note had been said, but no one minded. Most people shouted in agreement, and others had their hands raised.

I gulped loudly, feeling so out of place, but what was this warmth? It was as if they made their own bubble of it that leaked out to me, an outsider looking in.

As Lanny kept singing, I felt my heart leap and feel . . . Good? Better than it ever has. I didn't understand.

Contemplating this took up all my time, and my body simply relaxed during it all. As if the music was a current that swept me into it.

When it stopped, I felt stuck on the fence and I could hear more heavy thoughts.

You must make a choice.

What choice? I was so confused by how I was feeling.

"Nadia!" Lanny called out to me. I hadn't realized she was done singing. She came over to me, beaming and looking so bright.

"Hey, nice singing." I complimented, smiling at her.

"Thanks! I just felt the urge to, ya know?" She said as we went out of the lobby. Everything was in walking distance, so fortunately we got to save on gas. "Oh, I was invited to come to a tent revival tonight. Do you want to come with me? It's just down the road."

My jaw tensed, and my fingers gripped the strap of my purse tighter. "A tent revival?"

"Yeah!" She nodded exuberantly and danced about. "They've been doing it for two weeks now, and one of the owners of the hotel told me about it - Lucinda was her name! It's basically like going to a church, only outside under a tent." She giggled.

"But what is revival?" I asked before I could think about the words.

"It's a reviving of the spirit - meant to stir people's walk and renew it. When you believe in God and praise Him, it sets a good fire in your soul and you become anointed by the Holy Ghost."

Some of that I was still a bit clueless about, but I got the gist. I knew my friend wasn't crazy. "I guess I'll go . . ."

"You will?!?" Lanny was in my face before I could blink, grinning from ear to ear.

I gulped again, feeling something inside me rise up. "Yeah, I, uh, wouldn't want you to go alone."

She cheered all the way to the gift shop.

The place we went to was big with a second floor. They were apparently running an end-of-summer sale so shirts were half off. I remembered the highlighted verses before and shook my head.

"This is so awesome!" Lanny was in high spirits as she shopped for her family.

Could it just be karma, or maybe a coincidence of Lanny being a good person?

God couldn't really be real, couldn't really be in control of these events . . .

"There's hermit crabs!" Lanny's excited shout had me reeling back to her. In a large aquarium were the crabs she wanted, each with a different design painted on their shells. "See? They're so cool!"

I laughed, "Yeah they are, I was wrong."

"Ha-ha!" Lanny declared dramatically with a point in my direction, it made us both giggle.

"So thinking about getting one when we leave?" I asked her when we went to checkout our things.

She nodded, "If it's the Lord's will, I'll get one."

Something in me snapped, "Why would it have to be up to him? If you want it, get it." Moments after saying that, I wished I'd not snapped at her like that.

But she just smiled patiently, not offended in the slightest. "Because I put God first, He's in control of my life. He knows what's best for me because He has everything planned out. I place my trust in Him, so if having something as small as a pet is in His plan, then I'll get it."

I was stumped, it felt like a lock had been placed on my lips.

The trip back to our room was a quiet one, but the beach helped us unwind.

Lanny always told me things like that. How God is in control, and he knows your every thought. It was strange to think about; a higher being that was able to be with each person at one time.

I watched as people walked on the beach, and how some laid out on towels to catch fleeting rays of the summer. Was each individual that important to God?

If you're real, I looked to the blue sky above as if that was where he was. Then show yourself to me! My thoughts were yelled, and I felt a bit silly, but I felt more open than I ever had.

Nothing happened, and I sighed and turned back to watch the rippling ocean.

Tonight was the tent revival.

. * . * .

Lanny pranced around fluffing her hair and smoothing her clothes out.

"Are you sure this is fine for me to wear?" I asked her as I looked at myself in the mirror. I liked to wear light makeup no matter the occasion, but I didn't really bring nice dress clothes with me. All I had to wear was a white short-sleeve button-up, and khakis. I wore my hair hair down, the brown waves resting against my back. I was borrowing a pair of Lanny's sandals because all I brought were flip-flops.

"You're fine, you look gorgeous!" She waved my worries off.

I smiled, the pretty young woman in the mirror may not look stressed, but it was an entirely different story on the inside. "Thanks."

"We should head over before it starts!" Lanny said as she grabbed her Bible, and I felt at a loss for not having anything.

We started our way there, the air wasn't too humid and hot with the sun going down. It was a great walk, but my throat felt too tight, my palms were too sweaty. Why did I have to be so nervous? I've faced worse than this before. I've been in multiple hellish interviews, I've embarrassed myself publicly, I've failed classes, but this felt like something else. I didn't know how to prepare for this.

"Oh wow, it's huge!" Lanny said in delight as the large white tent came into view. It had the perfect space to itself on the corner.

You can do this, Nadia. I tried to give myself a pep talk, but I don't think it was working too well.

There was music playing, and happy people all around were talking and getting to know each other. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb, or that these Christians just knew that I didn't belong.

As we dispersed into the crowd of people under the tent, I felt like I was going to get kicked out as an older man with grey hair approached us.

"New faces! Welcome, welcome! I'm Pastor Opek, but you can just call me George!" He was jolly, and shook our hands with a stern grip.

I was glad Lanny was the talker in these situations. "Hey, George! We were invited by Lucinda down at the Jackson Inn; my name is Lanny, and this is my best friend Nadia." Her smile was as bright as his.

"Great! Well I'm happy to meet you both, I believe Lucinda and Dave should be here soon, but sit wherever you like!"

"Thank you," We told him, and he went on to talk to more newcomers.

Lanny was positively giddy, and it was understandable; it was almost like the air was alive with a type of energy. Everyone was just so happy and nice. Wish the rest of the world was like this.

I sat down on a chair and watched as Lanny mingled with other Christians. She looked like she was totally in her element; then again, she was very outgoing. I wasn't much of an outgoing person, but I wasn't a complete introvert either. I liked to observe the crowd, and noticed that there were more people sitting down by themselves like me - guess I wasn't the only one.

A few happy smiling faces came to greet me, and once the tent was full, the sermon started.

I had never been in church, so I wasn't sure what the procedure was. I saw George walk on the stage and he talked for a bit before leading everyone in prayer.

I bowed my head, mimicking what everyone else did. All around me voices spoke, sending prayers up to God or thanking him. Even though Lanny was outspoken, she prayed silently.

A strange sort of calmness surrounded me, it was different.

After the prayer, it was time for singing.

"Are you going to sing?" I whispered to her, and she shook her head. Probably nerves getting to her.

We sat through worship songs that made the hairs on my arms stand up, the fellowship was really something else. Each song had a meaning, every line was sung with power that pop singers lacked. There was truth behind what these happy singers sung about.

The last old woman was singing with live music playing behind her. She sung about an old lighthouse, and how Jesus was that lighthouse for the lost souls.

The song spurred a preacher to start preaching, and all around there were shouts and praises being said to God.

It was loud, it was overwhelming, but it was peaceful. I was only observing, but there was a power here that I would never be able to describe.

"What do you say to the lost man?" The preacher was walking up and down the walkway between the chairs. "You want to tell'em the truth! That Jesus died for you and me so that you could have life. He loves us so much, and He doesn't want to see us die and go to hell. Hell wasn't made for you and me, it was made for the Devil and his angels!" His voice was loud and carried over everyone, and I couldn't help but watch the young man.

"Jesus has overcome death, so when we're born again through Him, we no longer have to fear it. I know where I'm going, and that's to be with the Father in Heaven!" Lanny clapped beside me, and I clenched my hand. "How do you get to where I'm going? That's by calling on Jesus Christ and asking him to forgive you with a humble heart. Because no man can get to the Father before first going through the Son."

"And Jesus WILL forgive you and you'll be a blood-bought child of the King of kings! You'll be a new creature in Christ, and you will find your identity in Him. Your name will be written in the Lamb's book of life, and you will be free from your bondage! The Devil will have to flee because you are covered!"

He looked out at everyone when he walked back on the stage, my heart pounded away in my chest. "He's a knockin' on your door to your heart tonight, will you let Him in? Let Him clean you up so that He can dwell in you? So that you can receive ALL the things He has promised you?" He grew teary-eyed, and I gulped as I felt its effect. "Let me tell you something, He won't ever leave you nor forsake you. When life gets rough, you better believe He will be right there with you. Let Him fight your battles; just give it all to Him, and watch the healing and the miracles take place. Because there is nothing that is too hard for God. He is the true light in the darkness, He is the great Almighty, and He loves each and every one of us. No matter what you've done, no matter what you're going through now, just come to the altar and give your life to Christ. Make Him the Lord of your life."

There was a resounding beating my heart had never beat before. It was as if there really was someone knocking there. I felt tense, I felt guarded. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I could not deny the presence I felt while sitting here, under a tent with people all around me.

I felt so significant, more so than I ever had. Tears came to my eyes and I looked down, trying to hide them from any prying eyes.

Why would someone I don't know love me so much more than anyone?

"I just want to say I love the Lord and thank Him for being with me through my trial."

I looked up when I heard Lanny's voice over the speaker and saw that she was on stage. When did she get up there?

"I felt led to play tonight, but I also just want to say something." She breathed in and then smiled. "You know, God loves you more than anyone ever could because He made you. You are His, and he treasures you more than all of his other creations."

I felt stunned. How did she know? It was exactly what I wanted to hear.

"As she sings tonight, won't you come talk to the Lord? Maybe you fell away, and now life is shifting back and forth like the uneven sands. He wants to free you, He wants to make you whole, and only God can do it! Do you feel His spirit? He's a moving, He is alive!"

Lanny started singing the same song she had done back at the hotel. I listened, feeling so shaky and not knowing if I could really go up there. So many were kneeling at the altar, and preachers and elders were praying over them.

I felt scared to show myself like that, to anyone.

But I also really wanted to answer the call, the knock at the door.

The altar call stretched on as so many were getting saved, and I still felt at a loss.

. * . * . * .

That night was the worse one of my life. When we got back to the room it was pretty late, so we sat around a little before going to bed.

I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. My stomach was twisting and turning, and all I could think about was the tent revival. How everything spoken there seemed so sacred and alive.

Finally, I got up and the room spun. I was dizzy, but I managed to feel my way to the bathroom. There was a small window in the space, so the moon illuminated it without having the light on.

I shut the door and gripped the counter. I knew I looked bad without looking at my reflection.

My heart started beating like before, like there was knocking, and I gasped.

I turned on the cold water and splashed some onto my face. It only made me shiver, and I slowly looked up.

This is so stupid, why am I acting like this? I stared at myself, at the familiar hazel eyes. It was the same eyes that my mom told me I got from my dad. The parent I never knew, because he didn't want me.

My breathing escalated, and I rubbed at my eyes as I felt the warm salty tears. I was never wanted, why would God want me? I don't have anything to offer, I'm so useless . . .

I want you.

I heard it as clear as if Lanny called out to me. These thoughts had a voice behind it, and it was so powerful it struck me into standing still.

Then like a broken dam, I remembered all that was preached to me come flooding in like a raging river.

I am made whole in Christ. Jesus loves me more than anyone, and will accept me no matter what I've done. He will forgive me, I can be close to Him . . .

I felt my stone cold heart break, and I fell to my knees, crying out.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry . . . I don't know how to pray, but I know you're there, you've always been there. I want to be yours. Jesus, I want to be saved!"

And just like that, my mind cleared up, and I felt a peace fill me. It was love that made me whole, stronger than the love my mother gave me. I felt it put the pieces together, and all I could do was cry in sheer joy.

It is done. Welcome home.

I choked on a sob, and covered my wailing mouth with a hand. I was so overcome by good things, and I just kept repeating thank you, thank you . . .

The bathroom door opened, and I saw Lanny standing there with a smile.

She didn't say anything, she just kneeled down and took me into her arms.

It made me cry more, I was such a mess, but it was perfectly okay. I never felt so good in my life. I was so happy I couldn't stop crying, but Lanny never let me go.

It was a while later before I could get it together enough to talk. "He did it, Lanny! He forgived me, I can't believe it."

Her smile was endearing as she looked at me. "I know. He'll save anyone who cries out to Him. How do you feel?"

"Really . . . unbelievable." I breathed, "Like a whole new person. I've never felt peace like this, or love that just made me whole. It's so powerful, I never knew it was like this! Is this what you feel?"

She nodded, "Yes, and as long as you keep in His spirit, you'll always feel like this. God dwells within us." She squeezed my hands and helped me stand. "First, let's go tomorrow and get you a Bible. Now we can start studying together!"

I grinned, feeling bright myself, "Okay, and maybe pick up a hermit crab when we leave?"

Her eyes lit up. "Yep!"

. * . * . * . * .

Thank you all for reading this to the end! This really inspired me as I wrote it, and it helped me get out of my slump. Now I will try and tackle Black Butterfly, I thank God for inspiring me so much!

Some things I want everyone to take away from this is: you can get saved anywhere, it doesn't necessarily have to be at the altar. He'll meet you in your midnight hour like with Nadia, and take you to the altar Himself. You don't have to be good with words, you don't even have to know how to pray. Just come before Jesus with a humble heart, and He'll know when you're seeking forgiveness. Be open to God, and let Him in. He is yours, and you are His.♡

Word Count: 4545

Update! Incredible news! This one-shot has won first place in the contest!! Praise the Lord for this blessing He has given me, and thank you all for the continued support.