We cannot always build the future for our youths, but we can build our youth for the future. -Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Come on, mom; let's go or we will be late. Service starts in forty-five minutes!" Tara yelled at her mom as she stepped out of her room, looking elegant in her simple navy blue dress and black belt on her waist.

"I'm coming, dear. This outfit is not fitting right. I want to change it." Dora yelled back.

"Oh no! Not again, Mom. This is the third time you are changing."

"Don't worry. I promise you this will be the last time. I want everything to be perfect."

Tara inwardly facepalmed and shook her head at her mother's want for perfection.

She faced the parlor mirror and donned her blue fascinator on her head. It completed her appearance.

She was ready to spend the first Sunday of the year in the presence of God. God had been faithful to her. A smile slipped on her face as she remembered the victory she got earlier the previous week.

True to her word and with the support of the Almighty God she dropped a spotless design on Martinez's table.

She chuckled as Martinez's disappointed expression crossed her mind. His plan to set her up for failure didn't work.

After that, he set many obstacles for her such as emergency meetings and asking for her presence for petty things, but she overcame all of them.

The squeaking sound of her mother's door drew her attention. She turned in the direction and a grin split on her face.

"Oh, my word! Mom, you look beautiful." Tara said as she admired her mother's white and gold George wrapper and blouse.

(Picture below courtesy Google)

(George wrapper and blouse are the traditional outfits of the Ibo tribe and some other tribes in Nigeria, Africa.)

"Thank you, dear." Dora smiled in contentment. "I knew it was the right one when I wore it. "

"Of course; it had to be the right one. Especially after you tried three other outfits." Tara swung her handbag over her shoulder.

Dora chuckled while she packed her sequined gold clutch bag.

"Anyway, let's be going. We have fifteen minutes before service starts." Tara added.

Dora nodded her head in agreement. And they strutted out of the house.

★★★★★

The Bullock women entered the huge white building that housed their church for five years. It had been a place of refuge for them.

The last note of the musical instruments signaled the end of the praise and worship session.

Tara glared at Dora. "Ugh! You made me miss my favorite part."

Dora produced a sheepish smile and patted her daughter's arm in apology. "The traffic added to the delay as well."

Tara couldn't deny that the heavy traffic in the city was unavoidable. For a journey of one hour, one could spend hours on end on the road.

Walking down the long aisle, they spotted Mrs. Ade and Alice sitting together on the pew on the left-hand side. They headed toward their friends and were both fortunate to get a seat next to their respective friends.

It wasn't a surprise that Mrs. Ade and her family, as well as Alice, attended the same church as them. Coincidentally, they lived in the same neighborhood as the Bullock women. In addition, the church was the most prominent in the area.

However, as Tara surveyed the area for familiar faces, she didn't expect to see the relaxed face of Mr. James Angelo. He looked like he didn't want to be anywhere else.

"Ah! I see you have noticed that the wolf is present." Alice said in a cynical tone. "He is probably here for reputation's sake." She shook her head.

"I doubt that's the reason. Look at his facial expressions; I haven't seen such peace on someone in a long time. The satisfaction shining through his eyes shows he is a true Christian."

"Well, I find it hard to believe that someone who is so monstrous at work is relaxed here." Alice's eyes clouded as she eyed Mr. Angelo.

"Well, that's the Lord's doing. We probably judged him wrong." Tara said with conviction.

Alice snorted and muttered, "Yeah, right!"

"Praise the Lord, church." The voice of Pastor Kitan ended their debate as he climbed the altar.

Tara faced the balding pastor clothed in a jet-black suit.

"Hallelujah," the audience chorused together.

"Let us bow our heads in prayer." After the brief prayer. He told the congregation, "Open your Bibles to the book of Psalm 119: 9."

The sound of flipping pages filled the room.

The pastor's voice rang out. "And it says: How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word."

"Today's sermon is titled: Keeping The Ways Of The Youth In The Lord."

He dived into the sermon by advising the youths to follow the ways of God. He also gave them steps they should take to remain steadfast in the ways of the Lord.

He paraded up and down the altar as he spoke.

Whenever he said an impactful word, the church shouted an "Amen" in agreement.

Tara and Dora nodded in agreement at every word of wisdom he uttered.

In conclusion, he told the parents ways they could help encourage their children to heed the voice of God.

"Let's pray," he said at the end of his sermon.

The congregation bowed their heads and closed their eyes.

"Father, please guide and protect our young people from the path of destruction and deliver them from the spirit of worldliness. We also ask that you give their parents and guardians the grace to encourage the youths to follow your path, in Jesus's name. Amen."

"Amen." chorused the 500 hundred members present in the auditorium.

The pastor resumed speaking. "Before we round up, I would like to call one of our brothers to give a brief announcement. Please, a round of applause for our dear brother Philip."

The congregation clapped as a figure clad in a sparkling white shirt and black trousers climbed up the six steps leading to the altar. He shook the pastor's hands as he reached the top.

He faced the congregation and placed his hands on the glass pulpit. He smiled and said, "Good morning, everyone. It is a pleasure to be here."

A sense of Déjà vu hit Tara; her eyes bulged open in surprise as she looked into the face of the stranger from the Christmas concert.

His ebony hair had a speck of silver as the overhead lights shone on it.

"Oh my word, Tara. Why are you looking at him like he has two heads?" Alice asked her with shock visible in her eyes.

Tara cleared her throat and looked down. "Oh no; nothing to worry about," she said and fiddled with her fingers.

Alice snorted. "Why are you telling lies right inside the church? "

Tara sighed and played with the binds of her Bible. "Okay, fine! I have kind of met him before," she said under her breath.

"You have what?" Alice asked in a high-pitched tone. She reduced her voice when she noticed some people send a glare her way.

Tara shook her head at her dramatic antics. She looked her mother's way to make sure she wasn't aware of what was going on. Fortunately, Dora's attention was focused on Philip.

"Ali, please just let it go." Tara sent her a pleading look.

"Fine. However, you have some talking to do but let's listen to him first." Alice turned away.

Tara sighed in relief that Alice didn't fish for more information.

She faced Philip and digested every word he said. He was announcing a seminar he and a few other entrepreneurs were hosting for youth empowerment.

He ended his speech with a quote. "To my fellow youths; be the generation that makes history. Thank you all for your time." He marched down the steps and sat down in his seat in the first row.

The auditorium sounded with a thunderous round of applause for him. Smiles were visible on the faces of the people.

"Oh, what a wonderful young man." Dora gushed. "He is acting as a major positive influence for the young ones."

"Oh, yes, he is. He plans on helping students get scholarships. That's wonderful!" Tara overhead Mrs. Ade say.

Tara agreed as well. He was affecting the lives of the youths positively. He deserved maximum respect from everyone.

The caring smile and care he gave the injured boy flashed through her mind. He was indeed a blessing to the world.

She vowed to herself that if she ever met him again and conversed with him; she would thank him for his good deeds.

★★★★★
Ayyy!

We met Philip again 😁

Are you looking forward to meeting him more often?

Moving on to our Question of the chapter: What are your favorite fruits?

Mine are mangoes, pineapple, grapes, pear, and bananas. XD.

If you liked this chapter, shower your love on it by pressing the star in the corner. Thank you 💓

Until next time. Keep eating fruits!