Chapter 22

            I explained my plan to Pastor Basil as we walked out of the church and into the parking lot.  “You see? It solves all or most of our problems!”
            “I’ll admit, your plan has some good points, but Mrs. Snapper-”
            “Can stick it in her ear!” My remark was met with a decidedly stern look from Pastor Basil.  I backed up, “ok, maybe not, but if anyone can persuade her to go along with it, it’s you.”
     As luck would have it Mrs. Snapper was still in the parking lot, sitting in her 2008 two door ford focus having a good cry, while re-watching a first season episode of American Idol on her smartphone.  This was far worse than I thought.
     “Maybe we should just let her be...”  I suggested.
    Pastor Basil sighed “No, I’ll talk to her, you hold Jealous Plant.”  Pastor Basil knocked on the passenger side window of Mrs. Snapper’s car and then opened the door and got in beside her.  I could pick up bits of their conversation, mostly Pastor Basil.
     “No, Eliza, no one thinks you’re a bigoted, old stick-“ Eliza?  Not only did Mrs. Snapper have a first name but it was Eliza?
     “Listen to me, we were all tired and frazzled, and all of us said things that were hurtful and really not all that true.”
     Mrs. Snapper sobbed something I couldn’t make out.
    “Yes, we all could do better, but Eliza, listen to me, you have so many gifts: you are organized, bold, creative, and honest no matter what.”
     More sobbing from Mrs. Snapper (I would never be able to think of her as Eliza).
     “We’re not in this mess because of you, far from it.  We need you.  No one’s perfect, but even with all of your imperfections, which you’ve just listed in detail, Eliza, God does such wonderful things with you. Can’t you let God give you one more try?”
     It sounded like Mrs. Snapper has ceased sobbing.  Pastor Basil was maybe making headway. So while they continued to talk, I tried to reassure Jealous Plant that my plan would work. 
     “It’s ok that you can’t talk, Jealous Plant.  You just need to be able to hold up a sign, can you do that?” Jealous Plant waved his leaves in agreement and, I hoped, excitement. “You really are perfect for the role-“
    HONK!  I looked up to see Pastor Basil sticking her head out of Mrs. Snapper’s car.  “Get in!” she yelled “We’re going to see a man about a snake!”
 
2 Corinthians 12:10
 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
 
What are Mrs. Snapper’s strengths and what are her weaknesses?  How might God work with Mrs. Snapper when she struggles with her weaknesses?  What is a weakness you have confronted?  How did acknowledging your weakness make you stronger?

A reading of Chapter 22 by Amelia Corbett