© copywrite 2009 by Sarah Baughman

Chapter 6

Liz was packing. She had her clothes and poncho, hiking boots and sleeping bag, but couldn’t seem to find her Bible. Stopping to think, she wondered why she was so nervous about this trip. Must be because I haven’t been camping in so long.

Finally, she found her Bible right where it always was, on her nightstand. On top of it was Pride and Prejudice. It almost seemed that Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy were beckoning to her from within, but she had to ignore them and finish packing. Zach had said he would pick her up in one hour.

As she stashed her Bible in the duffle carrying her clothes, she suddenly realized that the reason she couldn’t find it was that her novel had been on top. I’ve always gone to church, read my Bible, but lately, I’ve been letting that get in the way. Liz felt badly. She knew it was the stirrings of the Holy Spirit calling her to repent. Lord, I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I can’t seem to find love in my own life, so I’ve been living vicariously through this. Please help me to be satisfied with the Love you’ve already given me, in Christ. Help me to know that it is indeed enough. Give me peace and restore Your wandering lamb. Liz felt a stinging at her eyes, but quickly brushed the tears away.

On an impulse, she took the old, worn volume of Pride and Prejudice and threw it in the kitchen garbage can. Before she could pause to reconsider, she quickly tied up the kitchen garbage bag and ran it out to the dumpster, even though it was only half-full. As she tossed it into the monstrous bin, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

* * *

Zach pulled up to Liz’s apartment fifteen minutes early. He debated whether he should just wait in his car or go ring the bell and let her know he was early. Before he could decide, Liz herself came out the door, duffle bag in tow.

Feeling a doofy grin come across his face, he thought she looked adorable in her camp clothes. She wore jeans and an old t-shirt they’d gotten at one of the youth events in high school. Her long hair hung in two braids on either side of her face.

He hopped out of his truck. “You look ready.”

Her bright smile surprised him. “Sure am! I guess I forgot how much I loved camping. I’m really looking forward to this; thanks for asking me to come.”

Zach resisted an urge to haul her to himself for a hug and instead took her bag from her and threw it into the back of his pickup, next to his own bag. He then walked around and opened the passenger door for her. She looked slightly uncomfortable as he waited for her to climb in before closing the door behind her. He then jogged around to climb into the truck himself.

As he drove, Zach reviewed his plan in his mind. They would all be camping tonight, then hiking tomorrow and sleeping at the campsite again Saturday night. Sunday morning, they would get up early to make sure the kids were home with enough time to be ready for church. He wanted to talk to Liz Saturday evening. That way, if their conversation didn’t have the outcome he wanted, they wouldn’t have an entire day of awkward encounters on Saturday.

After driving in the church van to the campsite with ten youths and another adult, they enjoyed a supper of hotdogs roasted over the fire and potatoes baked in the embers. Liz also showed them how to make banana boats. She took a banana, cut it down the middle, crammed mini marshmallows and chocolate chips in the middle, then wrapped the whole thing, peel and all, in aluminum foil. After a little time in the fire, they were ready to eat with a fork – gooy goodness, almost as good as s’mores.

“We’ll have those tomorrow night,” promised Liz.

After eating, Zach led them in a devotion he had planned, as they sat around the campfire.

* * *

Liz sat, listening to Zach’s words. It seemed she was seeing a different side of him tonight.

“So we know that even though we are the young people of the congregation, we still are part of the congregation, part of the body of Christ. We can show his love, even if we’re not ‘grown-ups’ yet.”

Liz’s thoughts wandered. She pondered what she could read in place of the novel she had put in the trash earlier that evening. She would definitely start by reading her Bible more often, like she used to do. She could still read some fiction, but allow herself a set amount of time to indulge in it. Smiling to herself, she brought her mind back to the present.

Zach was saying, “So, instead of praying as a group, let’s each find a partner to pray with. Take a few moments to discuss your concerns, then pray together. Any questions?”

No one said anything, the kids just started finding partners. Liz hung back, waiting to make certain none of the youth were left without someone to pray with. The other adult, Josh Brown, was paired with the last youth and soon Zach sauntered over to her. Does he ever walk any other way?

“Will you be my partner, Eliza?” Zach asked. His voice, rather than teasing, was soft and strangely intense.

Liz felt nervous all of a sudden and answered, “Looks like we’re the only two left.”

“Yup,” answered Zach. “Here, let’s sit over there.”

He took her hand and led her to a log placed a short distance from the fire-ring. The flames from the fire cast light and shadows on their faces, making it difficult for Liz to see his very well.

“Any prayer concerns?” Zach asked, still holding her hand.

“Um, yeah. Thanks for God helping me to see something.”

“Oh yeah? That’s great.” His smile was genuine. “Wanna elaborate?”

“Uh, not really.” Liz felt her face heat up, even though they were far from the fire. “Just something that I needed to be shown, sort of have my eyes opened to. You?”

“For patience and guidance.”

“Again?” Liz remembered him asking for prayers for the same thing at Bible study. “Do you want to elaborate?”

“Nope.” Zach’s grin made her smile, in spite of herself.

“That’s fair,” she said.

They prayed together, hands clasped, for several minutes. When they finished and opened their eyes, it seemed the entire group was finished praying and now staring at them. Liz blushed and tried to pull her hands away, but Zach only released one of them as he led her back to the group for some campfire songs.


by Sarah Baughman (email: mailto:baughmanks@gmail.com)




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