Megan had her hand on the doorknob when a calm suddenly fell upon her. She felt the Spirit of the Lord fill her. The difference in her was like the difference between a summer day and a winter night. The pain in her heart healed and her weak knees strengthened. She was not alone in facing Trimble. She knew she’d never be all alone again.
And in that moment she experienced a clearer understanding of what had just happened. Not only that, she knew what God wanted her to do. And she would do it. She let go of the knob and walked back to Trimble’s desk.
Surprise twisted Trimble’s features as he looked up and saw her coming toward him.
“No,” Megan said defiantly. She wiped her tears. She no longer felt the need to cry. “You tried to make this all about me, Chaplain Trimble. You don’t even care about the other people I want to help. But I know why. And so does the God you profess to believe in. Your answer came from all the fear inside you.”
“How dare you!” Trimble exclaimed. “How dare you say that to me?”
“When you said other people would wonder why they were left behind,” Megan said, “you were referring to yourself. You want to know why you were left behind. You don’t want to admit that the Rapture has happened. You are the one in denial. I wasn’t taken, but I’m not alone in this room. You weren’t taken either. And you just can’t handle it.”
Trimble looked apoplectic. “Mrs. Gander—”
“Don’t speak,” Megan told him. “Don’t you dare interrupt me until I’m through, not after what you did to me just now. I failed God, yes. I could never let Him into my heart, not the way I should have. I was too proud, too sure of myself, too afraid. But I know I failed Him. And I know that the way back to Jesus is as simple as asking Him into my heart and life. And then listening to Him once I’ve asked Him to enter. I opened that door. Have you? ”
Trimble opened his mouth then closed it.
“You used my son’s loss against me,” Megan said. Once again words tumbled from her mouth like gifts from God. “You threatened me with the idea that I would never see him again. His name is Chris, Chaplain Trimble. Chris Gander. And I know I will meet him again.
He’s there in heaven now, waiting for me, and I will find out all I need to know to get my faith where it needs to be. I will find God’s plan for my soul. God keeps His promises. I’ve prayed for His grace to save me. I won’t be left behind again. Will you?”
Trimble stood, towering over her.
Megan leaned across the desk and invaded the chaplain’s personal space, making the man back into the bookcase behind him. “I have an older son. He’s no longer a baby. I watched him grow up, and I felt the loss of the small child that I held in my arms, that I fed and sang silly songs to, that I taught to brush his teeth and read and play basketball. Every day of his life, he changed. He’s no longer the baby that I can remember so easily. He’s a young man. And you know what?”
Trimble didn’t say anything, held at bay by the conviction in her words.
“He’s still my baby boy. No matter how much he’s changed, he will always be my child. I love my son,” Megan said. “I love both my sons, even though they’re not the babies I was first given. And I believe I will know them always. In this life briefly, and in the next forever.” She took a breath and stared him down. “You can make a difference, Chaplain Trimble. But it’s up to you to decide to act. I believe that I was put here today to convince you of that.”
“No,” Trimble said. “The only thing you’ve convinced me of is how desperately you need help.” He pressed the key on the intercom. “Margaret.”
“Yes, Chaplain?”
“Have a security detail come to my office and remove Mrs. Gander.”
“Of course, sir.”
“You’re making a mistake,” Megan said. “You need to let God into your heart. The very fact that you’re here proves it. And the way you’ve just treated me proves it even more. Remember Jesus saying, ‘If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown in the sea’? You’re tying that millstone around your neck right now. Please, think about what you’re doing. Don’t make another mistake.”
“The only mistake I made was in thinking I would be able to help you.”
“God help you then, Chaplain Trimble,” Megan said, still almost heady from being filled with the Spirit, “because I don’t think you can help yourself.” She turned and headed to the door.
By the time Megan had the door open, two MPs were in the waiting room. Margaret silently pointed an accusing finger at Megan.
“I’m going,” Megan told the two MPs.
“See that she leaves the building,” Trimble said from behind her. “And make certain that she isn’t allowed back in.”
Megan walked and kept her head up. The MPs fell in beside her. They escorted her to the main exit. The people standing in lines out in the hallway fell silent and gazed curiously after her.
Lieutenant Doug Benbow was coming through the front doors. Spotting her, he stopped and waited outside with his hat in
