Page 76 of In This Moment
“Yes.” Ms. Jenkins looked bewildered. “I’m... I’m glad, too. I’ll have to check with my principal. But for now...”
“Ms. Jenkins.” Ashley smiled. “For now and for always... any child may read the Bible during reading time.” She nodded, her voice kind. “And no one can stop them. That’s the law.”
Ms. Jenkins nodded. “Thank you. I meant... no harm.”
“I know.” Ashley patted the woman’s hand. “Sorry about the interruption.”
“Right.” The teacher still looked bewildered. She returned to the front of the class. “Okay, boys and girls. We’ll resume reading now.” She turned her attention to Ashley’s daughter. “Janessa. You may read whatever part of the Bible you’d like.”
Janessa looked uncertain. She glanced at Ashley.
“It’s okay, honey.” Ashley whispered her encouragement. “Go ahead.”
For a second Janessa seemed unsure. Then she opened the cover of her pink Bible and turned to the Twenty-Third Psalm. In a shaky voice she began, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...”
Janessa’s voice grew stronger as she read. Ashley fought back tears as she listened. Did the other children understand the weight of what was happening? How Janessa’s sweet young voice was the voice of religious freedom? Ashley felt sick about what would’ve happened if she hadn’t been here today.
Janessa would’ve been told that her Bible was illegal. Prohibited from school grounds like drugs or guns. Ashley was devastated at the thought. This was how a nation was losing its freedoms. One teacher at a time, one classroom at a time.
Ashley leaned against the back wall and listened to Janessa finish the Twenty-Third Psalm.
“... and I will dwell in the house of the Lord... forever.”
Forever.Which was how long Ashley and the others in her family needed to stand up for religious freedom in the United States.
The whole ordeal reminded Ashley to pray for her brother. Luke’s case would wrap up in the next day or so. That night she told Landon what had happened at Janessa’s school. And how important it was to pray for Luke. Especially now.
Landon held her in his arms, and he prayed the most beautiful prayer. That Luke would be helped by God, Himself, in the days to come, and that America might continue to be a place where people could openly worship the Lord.
So that Janessa’s children wouldn’t grow up in a world where Bibles really would be illegal. So that the name of God never had to be whispered. But rather shouted from on high.
The way He deserved.
22
Luke’s surprise witness was Rosie Carter, mother of Rasha Carter.
Rasha had been a promising sophomore when she was gunned down a few years ago in the parking lot of Hamilton High. Caught in the crossfire of two rival gangs.
A week ago, Wendell had brought a video to his meeting with Luke. A video he had showed students when he first presented the idea of the Raise the Bar club.
That day in his office, Luke had watched the short film through teary eyes. Rasha had been everything right about youth today. And now she was gone. Still, Luke had figured the video wasn’t going to be any help in the trial. He told Wendell as much.
Luke had no permissible reason to show the emotional footage. Rasha had passed before Wendell’s Raise the Bar club was even founded. Therefore the video didn’t pertain to the case, and so Judge Wells would never allow it. But on the first day of testimony, God had given Luke a gift.
Something he’d held on to until now.
When court was in session, Luke stood and looked at Judge Wells. “I would like permission to show a brief video to the jury. It’s only a few minutes long.”
Landsford slid to the edge of his seat. Beside him, Andy Nelson hung his head. He still appeared so very troubled. But now there was hope around the edges of his soul. There had to be. He had cut his hair and his eyes were more alert. He looked presentable.
“What would this video contain, Mr. Baxter?” Judge Wells practically rolled her eyes.
“It’s footage of a female Hamilton student who was killed in the parking lot a few years ago. Caught in the crossfire of two rival gangs.”
Now Landsford couldn’t scramble to his feet fast enough. “Objection. Irrelevant. Mr. Baxter must only introduce evidence and witnesses that pertain directly to the defense in regards to the complaint.” He glared at Luke. “Counsel should know better.”
“It does pertain to the case, Your Honor. As we’ve said, what’s brought up in the direct is permissible in the cross. That goes for the introduction of evidence.” Luke kept his voice humble, free of any of Landsford’s disdain. Luke was merely stating facts here. Trying to keep things in order.
