The Mark

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Anna sat quietly for a while, and Henry prayed that she would un derstand what he was trying to say. He ate a couple more bites to give her time to process her thoughts.

"Isn't it arrogant to think we are the only ones who really know God, when most other religions are far more committed than many Christians? What's the harm in thinking your good deeds earn His favor?"

"Anna, it's misleading. They need the truth." Henry wiped his mouth again and leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. "We know truth because we know the Creator. His view on any subject is always truth, and our source is the Bible. Why God would give me the gift of salvation when my sin has earned me the same fate as the rest of the world is a mystery to me, but I am so grateful and humbled that I'll do whatever He wants me to do. Since we have the truth, don't you think it's loving to share it with others?"

Anna sighed and leaned back in her seat, her shoulders slumping a bit.

"So, in general, you weren't impressed with my church?"

"I am sure there are great things going on there and good people attend. I just worry about a church that doesn't hold to the supreme authority of Scripture and one which places idol worship on the same platform as Christ."

"Idol worship?"

Henry sensed a turn by the alarm in her voice. He knew the con versation was heading south, and he tried to apply the brakes and explain himself.

"Most other religions worship idols or personalities. Saying other religions bring you to God in the same way Jesus does places those religions on the stage with Christ. You do know what the Ten Com mandments say about that?"

Anna paused, and her eyes flared. "Questions like this are unlov ing and judgmental."

"Like what?"

"Like You do know what the Ten Commandments say about that?" Of course I know and in the religion I have chosen, I don't worship idols. But you need to quit trying to apply Christianity to everyone else! Don't you get it?"

"No, Anna. I don't get it, but I also don't want to argue about it ei ther. I'm sorry if I sounded unloving. You asked my opinion on the message, and I tried to point out my concerns, comparing what your pastor said with scripture. Within Christianity, I am allowed to do that, aren't I?"

Anna wiped her mouth and stood. Henry sighed. He'd seen her do this before. Once again he ended a lunch "meeting" on a bad note.

"This is useless, Henry. We just don't look at Christianity the same way. I don't see the need for continuing this type of banter. It cer tainly doesn't make my day any better, and I can't imagine you enjoying yourself either. I think we're done for today."Henry picked are up the bill and followed Anna to the door. He paid, and they headed back toward the church where they had left their cars. Henry looked at Anna as she walked beside him and wondered if she was mad or just indifferent at this point.

"Thanks for lunch," she said.

"No problem, Anna. Do you think we could have lunch next week sometime if I promise not to talk about church or religion?" He looked at Anna, who fumbled with an answer, clearly uninterested in another lunch.

"I've got a busy week-some... um... deadlines on some proj ects... um... that are overdue... and... oh, dear!"

Anna's Bible slipped from her hand and fell onto the sidewalk. The pages fell open and the bulletin flew out. All the extra inserts be gan to blow along the sidewalk and into the street. Henry responded quickly and stepped on a couple of sheets. As he bent over to pick up the runaway paper, he heard Anna yell.

"Henry!"

He first looked over at Anna, who was focused on something be yond him and then instinctively turned his head to his right just in time to see the grill of a black Dodge Ram pickup coming directly at him. There wasn't much time to react, but then he felt a hard shove on his shoulder, and he lurched back toward the sidewalk. The push was strong enough to save his life, and Henry watched as the driver of the truck swerved to the left, missing Henry by a few feet. He hit his brakes and looked back. Henry was lying on the sidewalk, papers in his hand, unharmed but a bit stunned.

"Are you all right?" Anna ran to Henry, bent down and reached for him as he rolled over, sitting on the sidewalk. Without thinking, he handed her papers back to her and she asked, "Do you want to sit a bit?"

Henry blinked a few times and cleared his mind. His heart was racing, but he knew he wasn't hurt.

"No, I'm all right. He didn't hit me, but who pushed me out of the way?"

"What are you talking about? No one was near you."

Henry thought for a moment and replayed the scene over in his mind. "When you yelled, I didn't have time to react. Someone shoved me."

Anna put her hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze. It was the first time she'd ever showed any affection to him, and Henry appreciated the gesture.

"Henry, no one was near you. I saw the whole thing."

By this time some bystanders were gathering around to see what all the commotion was about, and the truck pulled away. Henry knew someone had pushed him. He could still feel exactly where the hand had been on his shoulder. Anna helped him up, and as Henry scanned the crowd, he pointed at people and asked them, "Did you push me? Did you? Did you see anyone near me?" One by one they shook their heads and eventually walked away as the real excitement was over.

"Henry, I think you are just shook up. No one pushed you. You just jumped away quickly when I called to you."

"No, Anna. I'm not kidding. Someone pushed me." "Then it must have been your guardian angel," Anna said with a smile.

Henry thought for a moment. He knew he hadn't imagined it, but

an angel ...?

"Are you sure you're all right?" Anna put her hand on his shoulder and patted it tenderly.