Chapter 13

That Sunday morning found Mark, Alyssa, and Dean headed to church for Sunday morning service. The church was painted white with a steeple and a cross at the tip of the steeple. The bell was chiming letting people in Westpoint Ridge know that church was about to begin. Dean was a little nervous and had explained to Mark, after Alyssa had invited him to church yesterday. She thought it would help him after the nightmare a couple of nights ago. Dean told her he wasn't sure someone like him was allowed in church. Mark, without hesitation, said that 'Everyone was welcome to God's house'. Dean donned the best dressed clothes he had, and accompanied Mark and Alyssa that morning to the place of Worship.

The congregation were standing and had just finished singing 'Amazing Grace'. Then the morning prayer was spoken, the congregation sat down in their pews, then the preacher, dressed in his Sunday best, Bible in hand, stepped up to the podium. Dean's eyes opened wider when he recognized the preacher. He nudged Mark, whom sat to his right. Mark looked at Dean before he asked in a whisper.

"The sheriff is the preacher too?" Dean queried quietly.

"Oops," Came Mark's reply. "Sorry. Alyssa didn't tell you?"

"No."

Sheriff Michaels, today, was Preacher Michaels. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"Good morning, everyone. It's so wonderful to see you all on this beautiful Sunday morning. For those who are a regular atendee here, welcome. For those whom are visiting, welcome just the same. I would like to talk to you all today for a while about 'forgiveness'. Could someone give me and example of showing forgiveness?"

A little blonde-haired girl spoke up. "Like...when my little brother took one of my toys without asking?"

"Did he say he was sorry?"

"Yes."

"Did you forgive him?"

"Uh...yep."

"Good girl. Wise child. Anybody else?"

A male's voice spoke up then. "When your daughter disobeys you when you tell her not to run in the house cause she could break something."

"Did she break something, Mark?"

"The lamp."

The congregation erupted in laughter.

"What happened then?"

"I sent her to her room for a 15-minute time-out. I went to her room later on and explained what she had done wrong. She told me she was sorry and I forgave her."

"I was a kid," Alyssa said. "I didn't know better."

Preacher Michaels shrugged his shoulders before saying, "Kids."

The congregation laughed once more.

"The Bible says that we are to forgive somebody 70 times 7. Jesus died on the cross so our sins could be forgiven. No matter how big or small the sin, we can be forgiven for it if we ask for it. 'For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." However, there is some good news, ladies and gentlemen. The Bible also says that 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness."

Preacher Michaels continued preaching about the topic of forgiveness and repenting. Dean found himself hanging on to every word the preacher spoke. It got close to the end of the preaching when Preacher Michaels asked if anyone feels they have done something to where they want to ask God for forgiveness that the alters were open and anybody was welcome to come and pray.

Dean thought for a few seconds, then without a second thought, rose from his seat in the pew, and walked up towards the alters. Dean knelt on his knees, bowed his head, folded his hands and prayer, and wept. He prayed, asking God to forgive him of his sins, especially for the bank robbery just a few short weeks ago. He continued to pray until he felt a hand on his upper back. He looked to his left to see Alyssa kneeling beside him, tears in her eyes.

"It's okay, Dean." she said reassuringly.

Dean saw Mark walked towards him. Mark knelt to Dean's right, placing a hand over his daughters. Dean looked into Mark's misty green eyes.

"We're here for you, son."

Dean looked up at the preacher, whom knelt in front of Dean. "Are you alright?" he asked.

Dean simply nodded. "I just want to be forgiven."

"Then let's make it happen. Everyone bow your heads in prayer."

Everyone prayed for forgiveness for their sins, and they prayed for this young man at the alter. The longer Dean prayed, the better he felt. He felt relieved. He felt redeemed. He felt the burdens of sin being lifted off of his shoulders. Above all, he felt forgiven at last. Everyone said 'Amen' and Dean was aided to his ffet by Alyssa and Mark. The preacher just looked at Dean, smiling. He reached out and took hold of Dean's face in his hands.

"Congratulations, my dear boy," Preacher Michaels said. "You are forgiven."

Dean turned his eyes towards the croos behind the preacher, and the man upon the cross, and simply whispered. "Thank you."