As the song came to an end, everyone began clapping before Lexie cleared her throat.
"We've all made mistakes in our life. No one's perfect. But this next song is one of my favorites, lemme just share a lil' bit about it. Y'know, most of you know my story, why I'm in the church. And uh..this song was one of the few that really spoke to me. I remember first hearing it with Pastor John and tears immediately began streaming down my face and he told me "Lexie, let me paint a picture for you."
She took a deep breath before continuing.
"He explained how in John 8 when Jesus was writing in the sand, the prophecies bought in this adulterous woman. And they were telling him "Jesus, are you gonna stone her? You gotta stone her!" And according to the law, that's what He was supposed to do. But what Jesus did next was the most shocking thing ever...He extended grace to her. And I-I just recognized a place when I deserved the worst..and God just completely ransomed me. With my dirty hands, He just washed me white." her voice started to crack.
"In my sin and in my shame, He fought for me. He plead my cause..and um...it just really humbled me as I listened to this song. So, I hope you enjoy it."
Mark was blown away by her speech and listened as the song came on and she started to sing. The whole church erupted in cheers and stood up, beginning to worship along.
I am guilty
Ashamed of what I've done, what I've become
These hands are dirty
I dare not lift them up to the Holy One
You plead my cause, You right my wrongs
You break my chains, You overcome
You gave your life, to give me mine
You say that I am free
How can it be?
How can it be?
He saw the hurt and all the emtion in her face when singing, and even from the very back he seen her eyes start to glisten.
I've been hiding
Afraid I've let You down
Inside I doubt, that You still love me
But in Your eyes, there's only grace now
Her tone began to pick up.
You plead my cause, You right my wrongs
You break my chains, You overcome
You gave your life, to give me mine
You say that I am free
How can it be?
How can it be?
Lexie was now singing with tears rolling down her face, with her free hand extending up to the sky and singing more powerful than ever.
Though I fall, You can make me new
From this death, I will rise with You
Oh, the grace reaching out for me
How can it be, how can it be?
You plead my cause, You right my wrongs
You break my chains, You overcome
You gave your life, to give me mine
You say that I am free
You plead my cause, You right my wrongs
You break my chains, You overcome
You gave your life, to give me mine
You say that I am free
How can it be?
How can it be?
As the song ended, Mark looked over to Meredith to see she was crying..for her sister. Whatever happened with Lexie had to be serious, because Derek was tearing too...
And so was everyone else in that church.
Maybe everyone was just hurting.
Her voice was perfect when she sang and he couldn't help but want to hear her again.
He looked back up to the front and saw that she was hunched over sobbing. Then, she started praying.
"Lord, I pray that you comfort the hurting people in this room right now. Some of us are hurting physically, some of us are hurting emotionally. I lift up my brothers and sisters surrounding this room, Father God and I just ask that you let them feel your unconditional love. Pour your love over them Father, for they need it. Forgive us for our horrible choices, for we all made mistakes we can't erase. You said in 1 John 1:9 that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us for our sins amd purify us from all unrighteouness." God, you are faithful to pick up where we fall short. You fill in the blanks, so to speak and when we surrender completely to you, we realize that there are a lot of blanks. You also said in Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." May you wrap your loving arms and those who need it and comfort them. May your Holy Spirit annoint them. Reveal to them their worth and remind them of their purpose. Mend their brokeness and be glorified through their hurt. In Jesus name, AMEN."
An "Amen" was heard all across the room and Mark felt like the breath had been knocked out right from under him.
Lexie then excused herself and a short service was held about forgiveness..but all Mark wanted to do was see her again.
Maybe an hour later after the service was over, Meredith mentioned that she was going to look for her sister.
"So, how was it?" Derek asked as his girlfriend stepped away.
He was somewhat religious but exactly as Mark, he believed in his own way.
He shrugged. "It was alright. Mer's sister can sing though."
And it was true, she definitely could.
"She's been through alot y'know.." Derek trailed off.
"What do you mean?"
He sighed and then picked up where he left off.
"Meredith and Lexie have the same father, Thatcher. He left Ellis, Meredith's mom, for Lexie's, Susan. When Thatcher started a family with Susan, he also started using drugs. Soon he was a drug addict. Lexie wasn't a drug baby though...it all started after she was born. As the years went on, it got worst. When Lexie was 12, Thatcher started abusing them and Susan became a victim of a domestic-violence relationship. Of course, they always tried to leave..they even stayed at a few shelters. But Susan felt so sorry for Thatcher so she stayed with him. Until one night, he started touching Lexie inappropriately. She never said anything because he threatened to kill Susan if she did. Anyway, when Lexie was 15 she got pregnant with his baby. That's when she told her mom and everything blew up. Lexie got an abortion, Susan officially left Thatcher and they moved. I don't know how, but Thatcher found them and shot Susan. She died right in front of Lexie. Of course Thatcher went to prison, but Lexie was bounced around from foster homes until she reached 18. She enrolled herself into med school with her trust fund and Susans' leftover financials. Couple years after that, she started hanging around the wrong people and got heavy into drugs, too. It got so bad, she almost overdosed and killed herself. Her and Meredith eventually got into contact with one another, and we've been helping her stay clean ever since. She lived in California for a few years, then came out to Washington. She was supposed to start her intern year at Seattle Grace last year, but instead she's part of the upcoming group this year. She's been through a lot that girl..and that's why my heart goes out to her."
Mark was shocked. He had never heard such a heartbreaking story before..and with her own dad touching her? That must've been horrible. He couldn't possibly imagine what she went through.
When he was snapped back to reality, he noticed Meredith had came back with Lexie.
"Guys, this is my sister Lexie." she presented.
"Hey!" she smiled as she hugged Derek.
She held out her hand for Mark. "And you are...?"
"Mark." he stated. "Mark Sloan."
"Lexie." she smiled. "Lexie Grey."
He took this time to get a good look at her since she was so close. She had big doe brown eyes and a few hardly noticeable freckles at the top of her cheeks. Her teeth were straight and her hair looked silky. Even her ass was nice.
She was all around perfect.
"So, I invited Lexie to come have dinner with us..." Meredith quipped, interrupting Marks' thoughts.
"That okay?" Lexie questioned when she saw the unreadable look his face.
"Oh yeah! No problem" he replied quickly, even adding in a smirk.
Ever since Carolyn passed, Mark had been staying with Derek and Meredith in their home. Derek had built the perfect dream house for both of them. They didn't mind one bit, though. Mark was family and family to the meant "noone gets left behind or forgotten."
She nodded and smiled at him.
God, she was so beautiful.
But she was also too good for him.
Mark Sloan was a manwhore..that's all he'd ever been. And he believed that was all he'd ever be.
A/N: Like I said, this story will get a very religious. Thank you for you kind reviews:) I hope you like this update...until next time!
BTW- song is How Can It Be by Lauren Daigle.