"Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that
the Spirit of God lives in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16
Sarita Santos felt like she'd been drop-kicked into a 2020 remake of The Twilight Zone. What was this wilderness she was wandering through?
Yet everyone everywhere, especially in the media, and now even her exercise instructor touted, "we're all in this together."
"If you call 'together' seeing each other on a screen." She slammed her laptop shut. The sound echoed through her empty house. "I want to go shopping with my friends, go out for dinner with my husband, and worship in church." She pushed the laptop aside. "Not through this thing."
Business meetings, Bible study, client counseling, and even her zumba classes had gone online. She rolled up her exercise mat and went into the kitchen to make a calming cup of tea.
Isolation grated against her nature. She was Latin, loving, and loud. For someone accustomed to hugging, dancing, and laughing with loved ones, social distancing assaulted like cruel and unusual punishment.
Her husband was working - albeit with strange restrictions. Although college classes were online, her daughter opted to stay in her near-campus apartment where she could study and focus.
Away from her loud, loving, Latin mama.
This morning, it was Sarita and the Lord. That was all.
She loved the Bible app on her phone, but today she was tired of technology. She grabbed her leather and paper Bible and walked out to the porch with her tea.
As she opened the Bible across her lap, a breeze lifted her long, dark hair from the ponytail on her shoulder. She felt Jesus' presence in that wind. Almost heard Him whisper His love for her.
Quiet calm settled her spirit.
Turning to the concordance, she looked for a verse about 'together', knowing the current social climate wasn't it.
"Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God,
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:6
Then. Then when, Lord?
"Then." The whisper in her soul stirred overdue peace. Another passage came to her from memory. "No one knows the day or hour when these things will happen.... only the Father knows." (Matthew 24:36)
Only the Father knows. And He is the only One who needs to know. Her heavenly Father knew the whys and wherefores, the big picture, every piece of the puzzle.
No pieces were missing, and nothing was wasted. Not troubles or trials or tribulations.
Every problem had a purpose. Every struggle made her stronger.
And drew her closer to her Lord. He knew the best way to fit every piece together.
Together. She glanced back down at the concordance and found another encouraging passage, beginning with the elusive 'then'.
"Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.
The Lord has spoken!" Isaiah 40:5
*****
Sarita Santos is one of my favorite characters in the Crystal Falls Series. Read more about this feisty Latin heroine in Sunflowers for Sarita. Her story begins in small town Crystal Falls, Ohio and takes her to the beaches of Isle of Palms, South Carolina. With intrigue, mystery, and plenty of suspense, you'll keep turning pages as Sarita finds love at last... and a happy ending!
