It became known all over Joppa…
Acts 9:42a
“It cannot possibly be true.”
“Ah, but it is!”
“She has been seen, walking to the well.”
“It was someone else who looks like her. Eyes play tricks.”
“Do ears and touch play tricks also?”
“You have seen? You have heard? You have touched?’
“No. But Grandmother has.”
“Egh. A grandmother! Old minds believe what they want to believe.”
“My grandmother does not lie.”
“I do not say she lies intentionally. I say only…”
“Come with me. See with your own eyes. Hear with your own ears.”
“I do not have time for such silliness. The market waits.”
“You are afraid it is true. That is why you will not come.”
“I am not afraid of a hoax! I simply do not…”
Abigail watched from the corner of her booth as young Rachel pulled a reluctant Hannah across the market and then turned down the alley leading to… She shuddered. It cannot be. It must not be.
“If it is true, then…” Her voiced apprehension trailed off.
“Then…” A gentle hand touched her arm. “…what?”
Abigail turned to see Chloe beaming at her. The wealth of questions she had rehearsed the night before flew from her memory, but it did not matter. One look at the woman standing before her spoke a thousand words and answered volumes of questions.
“She lives?” It was half a question and half a statement of fact.
“She does.” Two wrinkled hands enveloped hers. “Come and see.”
Abigail shook her head. An immediate disappointment shadowed the twinkling eyes staring up into hers.
“I do not need to see.”
“But, you must…”
The young girl put a tender finger to the old woman’s lips.
“I do not need to see because I believe you.” She smiled. “You would not lie to me.”
“Indeed, I would not.” The disappointment vanished. “You believe?”
“I believe she was dead and now she is alive.” Abigail shrugged. “I do not know yet if I believe a man can do this.”
“Ah!” Chloe clasped her friend’s hands in hers again. “A man cannot do this. Only God can do such a thing.”
“But it was your apostle…”
“No! Not a man, not even an apostle, but in the name of Jesus the Christ, the Son of Most High God!” Chloe stretched both their hands up toward the sky. “This you must now believe.”
She tugged for her young friend to follow her.
“But my booth!” Abigail hesitated. “Father will tan my hide.”
“The market and fathers can wait.” Chloe shouted. “Eternity will not!”
One Another Living 