Story
Ava sat in the front seat next to Preston and his friends. His broad smile widened as he moved his backpack from the spot he’d saved for her.
“Hey Ava, I’m glad you could make it,” Preston grinned, his friends looking at her with matching smiles.
She smiled shyly, wondering why her elation was at war with an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t understand her apprehension. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down.
Preston was the pastor’s son and youth leader. Ava was lucky he had even given her the time of day when she had first started going to church. She wasn’t exactly a good girl and had made plenty of mistakes.
The noise in the room increased. Ava turned and was surprised to see the church hall was almost filled to capacity, with most of their youth group plus others from different churches.
“Great turnout, huh?” Ava said to Preston, starting to feel her nerves subside.
“Better than I expected,” Preston answered, his eyes gleaming.
Ava guessed that planning a youth programme and having it be successful was something to be proud and excited about.
Her thoughts were interrupted when the guest speaker she’d seen on the pamphlet made his way to the front.
Preston stood abruptly and made his way to the mic to begin.
Ava’s nerves returned when two of Preston’s friends came to sit on either side of her. She turned to look at them, wondering why they were sneering. Feeling uncomfortable, Ava hugged her backpack tighter. Why on earth had she ever sat at the front? She liked being invisible. Ava squirmed in her seat, subtly looking around and feeling uneasy.
Hearing Preston speak; Ava snapped to attention.
What had Preston just said?
“So, if you could all please look under your seats and open the envelope,” Preston directed.
Ava frowned, slowly mimicking the people around her.
She heard gasps, laughter, and shrieks.
Opening the paper in her hand, Ava felt the blood drain from her face. Her hand began to shake. She was going to be sick. This was not happening. This was not happening. This had to be a nightmare. Dropping the paper, she was ready to run off, but the two apes on either side stopped her, one of their large hands pressing down on each of her arms, pinning her in her seat.
Ava trembled with anger, but it was quickly replaced with hurt and utter humiliation. She wished she were dead.
Tears streamed down her face and her body shook. Through the blurry haze she saw Preston’s distorted face leering down at her in triumph.
Oh, why had she been so stupid? Why did she think church guys would be different from all the others who had used her in the past? She knew Preston could be a righteous snob, but she had naïvely thought he cared about her. Why had she ever made the mistake of sending Preston those sexy photos of herself? It wasn’t a demonstration of love, as he had called it. It was so he could destroy her in front of everyone and make sure she never came back.
Closing her eyes tightly, Ava tried to wake up from the nightmare.
The sudden quiet that fell over the crowd was deafening, and the pressure on her arms was suddenly gone. Ava opened her eyes, hoping maybe she’d woken up and was in the stillness of her bedroom.
Through watery eyes, she made out the form of the guest speaker standing at the front, looking at everyone. He didn’t look happy.
Keeping eye contact with the crowd, he slowly and purposefully made his way down and stood right in front of her, bringing the microphone to his lips.
Ava felt paralysed—she couldn’t move even if she wanted to.
His firm voice pierced the room, shattering the silence. Ava closed her eyes again, waiting for the final blow of humiliation.
“What brave young men we have, humiliating a visitor in front of so many young people. It’s a good thing everyone here is perfect and without any mistakes, that they can point their fingers at another’s errors.”
Ava felt her breathing quicken. Wait—what was happening?
Opening her eyes, she timidly looked up at the preacher in front of her.
His eyes stared down the crowd, and then he continued to speak.
“Am I right? No one here has ever been trapped—or is trapped—in drugs, pornography, smoking, drinking, fornication, witchcraft, stealing, self-harm, gossip, or lying. Are they?”
Ava heard the clearing of throats, soft sniffling, and some footsteps, but she didn’t dare turn around.
“Rip up those papers. And when you ALL live perfect lives like Jesus, then you can come and judge another. Now go home.”
His voice, piercing the silence, was full of authority, disappointment, and regret.
Ava sat in her chair, feeling numb.
Then she saw a face come into view—the preacher had crouched down in front of her.
“Ava, I’m truly sorry for what happened here tonight. But please, don’t judge God because of them. He loves and cares for you, and your mistakes don’t matter to Him. You matter, and you’re here for a reason. Start over—and don’t give up.”
Ava swallowed. Was he right?
“Turn around, Ava,” the preacher said.
Turning around, Ava was stunned to see the hall completely empty.
“They cannot judge, because they are also human and have made—and are making—their own mistakes. Let God lead you, and don’t let others make you feel unworthy.”
Ava wiped the tears from her eyes.
Walking to her car, the cool breeze felt wonderful on her heated face. It felt like a hug from her heavenly Father, who was looking down and didn’t condemn her.
Walking past the wheelie bin outside, she smiled at the ripped and scrunched-up papers peeking from underneath the lid.
Just like those papers, her past was ripped away from her—and God would help her start again, clean and new.
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THOUGHTS
Maybe today’s story reminded you of a time you felt humiliated, judged, or ashamed. Maybe you’ve made mistakes and thought, “God couldn’t possibly love someone like me.”
But here’s the truth: you are never too far for God’s grace to reach you.
He doesn’t throw stones—He opens arms.
He doesn’t cancel you—He covers you with love.
So whatever’s under your chair—whatever past, secret, or struggle you’re hiding—rip it up. Let it go. Because God isn’t done with you. He’s just getting started.
You’re loved. You’re chosen. And you’re not alone.
Picture Credit – Pexels
