The Masterpiece

by Francine Rivers

His life depended on God, not a woman.

Let go of her and walk with Me. One step at a time. One day at a time. Simple. Not easy. Let her go and put your hope in Me.

rousing memories from Grace’s childhood. She’d come into this house traumatized and grieving. As an adult, Grace could understand and forgive her aunt’s inability to show compassion to a traumatized child. Aunt Elizabeth had been grieving, too, and angry over the circumstances of her sister’s death. But as that child, Grace had lived in constant fear. Not just when she moved in with Aunt Elizabeth, but well before that, when she witnessed her father’s rage, and when her mother taught her to play hide-and-seek. She’d learned to hide from so many things. Was she hiding now?

with his favorite silky-edged blanket. Filled with an aching tenderness, she sat on the edge of the twin bed and watched her son sleep. He looked so peaceful, so content. Her little boy had nothing to worry about because he trusted his mother. Lord, I want to be that trusting of You.

“You’re safe in this room, Samuel. I had a friend who watched over me. God is watching over you, too.”

the biggest of all is not raising you with the love you so desperately needed. And deserved.”

Dad didn’t make her life easy. Everything that ever went wrong in his life was always someone else’s fault.”

Aunt Elizabeth’s expression wavered between shame and guilt, anger and regret. “Leanne became like our mother. I became like Dad.” She looked at Grace, her eyes growing moist. “I just didn’t use my fists.”

Relationships don’t always make sense. What happened was a tragedy. But when God offered me a gift, instead of receiving you in gratitude, I held on to my anger. I’m an architect when it comes to building walls.

“God nudges people.” Brian opened a cabinet. “Most people just don’t pay attention.”

“Jesus came to set you free, Roman, not remind you constantly of where you missed the mark. We’re saved by grace . . .”

“I worked with his father. Or I should say I watched how his father worked. He charmed others into carrying his load and took full credit for the work done. And then he got the accolades, promotions, and raises.”

“The nerds of yesterday are the CEOs and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. You studied hard. You went out looking for work as soon as you were old enough for a permit. You had goals and dreams. Those are admirable qualities, Grace. You never used people.”

“I share the blame. If I’d brought you up to know your worth, you might not have sold yourself short. Sometimes women love too much and lose themselves completely.”

“You needn’t worry, Grace.” Aunt Elizabeth gave her an understanding glance. “The only difference between most of the people inside these walls and the outside world is we know we’re

“The longer you stay away, the more excuses keep you away. There might be a few people who think they’re holier than thou, but the rest love you and wanted a chance to let you know.”

Free? This was just the first step out of the cage he’d built around himself. Right now, he wanted to get as far away as possible from the life he’d created and live the one God had planned for him.

He didn’t feel driven; he felt inspired. This was something new.

He studied the painting. It looked like someone else’s work, not his own. God was in this, and Roman felt exhilarated, excited, alive. Art had always been his means of expression, a way to pour out his wrath and frustration, but this work had a whole new dimension. He knew the One who had inspired him and why. This universal Christ triumphant hadn’t come out of his mind, but had been planted by the Lord.

How many years had he been searching for something to fill the void in his life? He’d tried everything—wandering, work, women. He’d fallen in love with Grace, but now he wondered what would have happened if they had gotten together. He’d still have been hungry for more.

Maybe Grace had to be out of his life in order for him to get right with God. As long as she’d been around, his thoughts focused on her. His desire had clouded his thinking, distracted him from heeding the call of God. She had already fully committed herself to living for the Lord. He hadn’t yet made that life- and soul-altering decision. Now, he understood.

Roman knew only too well that God had the power to stop and start a heart. The life of any man or woman rested in the palm of His scarred hand. It took a trip to hell to teach him Jesus was the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Prayer had become a constant, mindful conversation for Roman. Mostly one-sided. After so many years of silence, Roman couldn’t stop talking inaudibly to the One who truly listened, the One who heard beyond the words to the motivations deeper than Roman himself could analyze.

Change me, Lord. Put a new heart in me. Make me the man Y...

praying God would watch over her and Samuel, provide for their needs, protect her, guide her, bless her.

he tried to block out everything but the vision God had given him. He shook the can, pressed the button, and made the first wide curve. A fountain of energy welled up inside him and began to overflow to those waiting to do their part.

“This wall is a testimony to the power of Jesus Christ. It’s all about Him.

That thought sent a shudder of fear through him, but he shook it off. He needed to concentrate and finish this masterpiece. No use worrying about the consequences now. Whatever happens, I trust You, Lord.

she made priorities and set boundaries: God first, Samuel second, work third. She got up early every morning to read the Bible and spend time in prayer. That quiet time steadied her for the rest of her busy day.

“They’ve been warned. It’s all written in black-and-white. Most people like believing they can be good enough to get in the gate. Truth is, none of us are. Jesus holds the key.”

Roman watched, amazed at how easily Brian could get people to talk. Maybe it was the way he listened, full of compassion without judgment or condemnation.

Roman knew asking for three confirmations was pushing it, but he wanted to discern whether it was God nudging him or his own sinful heart leading him on.

“I guess I’m supposed to wait, Lord.” With so many questions and conflicting emotions, she didn’t want to plow ahead. All things in God’s perfect timing. Now didn’t seem to be it.

God, You should have left me in hell. It’s what I deserve. Saved by grace, Brian had told him more than once. Grace.

She’d been abandoned long before he came along. Whatever the circumstances, Roman knew something else. She hadn’t thrown him away. She kept him close. She loved him.

Roman met Jaime Lopez when everyone gathered for dinner. He recognized himself at fifteen: angry, broken, no family, no future, no hope. All that had changed on this ranch with these people, and would for this boy, too, if he cooperated.

“I love you, Mama. I forgive you.” When he finished, the tears came from down deep. “Forgive me.” He’d hated her, blamed her for dying and leaving him on his own. It had taken him all these years to see and confess it to her. He had carried that anger around like a heavy shield to protect himself against ever loving anyone again. It took dying before he could learn to live.

Brian had helped him see more clearly what Jasper had tried to get across for years. Just because one person let you down didn’t mean everyone would.

Roman had some sense of the depth of commitment it would take for a relationship to last for the long haul, through all the challenges life would throw at them, not to mention the issues and personality traits they would each bring along. He knew it wouldn’t be easy for either of them. God knew what childhood issues and adult issues they had. Even with all that, they had God’s promises to stand on. Nothing is impossible for God.

He’d been saved when she left, but he hadn’t been a Christ follower. And that made a fundamental difference in who he had been and who he was now.

He thanked God she hadn’t waited. Where would they be right now if she’d weakened? They’d be living together. She’d never have felt secure

he’d still be the same arrogant, self-centered jerk he’d been then. If Grace hadn’t fled, he might never have felt the need to examine his life and realize he had to let God change him from the inside out.

When I accepted Christ, I found my Father. But there’s still that flip side. I still wonder.” He was silent a moment, praying. Jesus, help her understand what I can’t explain to myself, let alone another human being.

The old, niggling fear rose that even the best things in life don’t last forever. “Until death parts us” meant one of them would go before the other. He and Brian had talked about that. Each day was a blessing from God, to be lived to the fullest, without fear.

still prayed World Changers would end up in a public place where many would see how the disciples might look in current times—an interracial group including an accountant, a college student, a gangbanger, a middle-aged fisherman; men who might be enemies if not for their shared faith in Jesus Christ.

he now spoke freely about God and how Christ had become the center and purpose of both his life and his art. Some invented other explanations about Roman’s near-death experience, but his transformed life testified to the truth of

God had been drawing them to Him from the time they were children, both desperately in need and longing for a father. Long before they knew Him, He’d been at work in their lives. The Lord had promised those who believe that He would take away the stony, stubborn heart; give them a tender, responsive heart; and put His Spirit in them so they could follow Him.

An overwhelming joy filled Grace. “But it’s just a shadow to the real one.” Roman would understand what she meant. “It isn’t what Roman’s done, Shanice. It’s what God has done in Roman.” She took her friend’s hand. “It’s

Tears filled her eyes as Grace felt the future open before her, like a door to life and hope and the never-ending life Jesus offered them. “We’re all God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ.” Shanice squeezed Grace’s hand. “For His good purpose.”

Can they have a normal life? Can two broken individuals find wholeness together? With Christ, all things are possible, but what if faith is lacking?