And You Call Yourself A Christian Read Free

experience alone kept her far from the temptation of running the streets. It didn’t matter how hard Joelle begged her, Unique had not accepted Joelle’s invitations. But now the tables were turned as the two women talked on the phone. This time, it was Unique extending an invitation to Joelle, but not to go to the club.
    â€œAnyway,” Unique said, exasperation lacing her tone, “it’s Friends and Family Day this Sunday at my church. Girl, just come on.”
    â€œNo, thanks. Like I said, church costs too much. At the church my mother used to go to, we had to pay for everything. We had to pay on Sunday morning to get the Word. We had to pay at Bible Study. We had to pay at Vacation Bible School. That collection basket went around at every single church function. I mean, I understand about tithes and offerings, but do churches have to pass the collection plate around for every single function they have? Sometimes that’s why I never went. On days I was broke, I was scared they were going to pass that collection plate around and I wouldn’t have anything to put in it.
    â€œThem preachers always talking about the church doors are always open, but so are their pockets. I mean, on Sunday I expect to have to break the Lord off something, but I gotta pay for Bible Study too? I gotta pay for Vacation Bible School? Really? Come, on, ’Nique, you know you have to admit yourself that that becomes too much.”
    â€œI know that’s how it is at some churches, but not at New Day Temple of Faith, I promise you,” Unique assured her friend. “Pastor only passes the plate around once, and that’s on Sunday morning after you’ve been fed the Word. We don’t take up collection at Bible Study or anything like that. There is, though, a tithe and offering box in the back of the church that people can give to anytime they want. But usually just the saints who are more mature in Christ utilize that; those who know what giving truly is about.”
    â€œSo what you trying to say? That I’m not a giver?” Before Unique could answer, Joelle continued. “Because you know I have never had a problem paying your way into the club on the times we had to pay.”
    â€œYeah, that’s because you were the one who always made us run late so that we didn’t get there until after eleven when there was a five-dollar cover charge.”
    Joelle paused for a minute. “Oooh, I guess you are right about that,” she laughed.
    â€œYeah, I know I am,” Unique chuckled. “But anyway, I’m not going to keep pressuring you about going to church with me. Just know that the invitation is open for any Sunday; not just Family and Friend’s Day, okay?”
    â€œAll right, Momma. But let me get ready to get off this phone. I have to go get my ponytail sown in. DJ Dizzle My Nizzle is going to be on the turn tables tonight. You know all he play are rappers from the South, so it’s gonna be gettin’ crunked up in there. I can’t even think about wearing my short bob. I’ll sweat it out so bad and walk up out of that club looking like a Treasure Troll.”
    Both Unique and Joelle laughed so hard before Unique decided she needed to get off the phone too. “All right, girl, let me let you go. I told the boys I’d take them to see the twins today.”
    â€œAwww, y’all going to see Tiny and Toya,” Joelle joked, knowing darn well that wasn’t the babies’ names.
    â€œIt’s Victoria and Heaven,” Unique said.
    â€œI know, I know. I’m just messing with you, girl. Give them a kiss from their would-have-been godmother, okay?”
    â€œOkay, crazy woman. Be safe out there tonight.”
    â€œI will, Momma. Love you. Deuces.”
    Unique hung up the phone and shook her head with a smile on her face while staring at it. Talking with Joelle always reminded her how far God had brought her and where He’d