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The Awakening of John - Episode 22

“Hello Bob, good to see you again – what can I get you today?” John was surprised at the familiarity – he’d often wondered whether Bob did things as ‘Bob’ when he was at work, this seemed to suggest that the coffee shop featured. He wondered about payment and was even more puzzled when the two coffees and doughnuts were presented to them without being charged. Bob saw the puzzled look and as they sat down said quietly, “I come here when you’re at work for a couple of hours most days – hang out with some of the other regulars, help clean up if they’re busy or short-staffed. Nice place, nice people. Anyway, they give me free coffee and cakes.” John shook his head in a combination of disbelief and growing acceptance. Of course, Bob would help and hang out. Stars in their courses and crockery on the right shelf… “I love singing. I know I’m not always in tune, but I love singing.” “That’s it? That’s the detailed analysis of the service and my angst?” “No, just saying. I love singing –...
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The Awakening of John - Episode 21

Introductions turned out to be even easier than he’d expected – as they walked from the carpark, others from housegroup had also just arrived and they shepherded Bob through the melee in the lobby, introducing him as they went. By the time they found some seats together, the service was about to begin, and John felt his cynicism rising – partly due to the anxiety he had around Bob’s potential responses but also because the disparity between what he was now starting to think about God and what the church had taught him. He found himself singing with gritted teeth, partly because some of the song words just didn’t ring true – ‘you are my one desire’ threw up a picture of Mubina in his mind, ‘wrath of God’ threw up scenes with Bob gently encouraging Trev – but also at the young worship leader’s crass attempts to stir up some enthusiasm in the sleepy congregation. It didn’t help that Bob seemed to be totally into it, singing loudly, if sometimes a little off-key, but with every sign of...
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The Awakening of John - Episode 20

“How’s Trev?” John asked Bob in the morning – partly to avoid any questions Bob might have for him. “He wants to share something in housegroup on Tuesday…” “Oh, oh… what did you say?” “Yeah, he’s determined… I said I’d talk with you about how to support him best...” This took John by surprise – of all the possible things he imagined God saying to Trevor, asking him for advice wasn’t one of them. “Oh, Bob, it’s going to be hideous for him – he’s seen as such an outlier anyway, there’s a real risk he gets badly hurt here… I honestly don’t know what I think, what I should think about the issue, but I know how I feel about Trev…” Bob smiled, “I know, that’s what qualifies you to advise.” Then slapping John on the back, “Maybe you can pray about it during the notices like you normally do.” This simply served to spike John’s anxiety about the morning service – it felt like housegroup writ large… he’d got his introduction to John down to a fine art now and he was much less worried t...
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The Awakening of John - Episode 19

Mubina arrived a few minutes early, whilst, predictably, John was still in the shower, having started to get ready later than he’d planned. Bob answered the door. “Hi Mubina, come in, I’m Bob – John’s in the shower.” “Oh, I didn’t think I was that early…” said Mubina, a little flustered. “You’re not” said Bob, smiling and guiding her into the living room. “John’s many gifts don’t often extend to good planning – especially when he’s nervous.” Mubina smiled at this disarming comment and instead of the seat she’d been offered, followed Bob into the kitchen. “Well, this looks and smells amazing, thanks Bob! How do you know John, he was pretty vague…” Bob smiled again, “We go back a long way, we met through church. How about you though, new job, new responsibilities, how’s it going?” “Oh, thanks for asking – it is a challenge, but I’m enjoying it.” She replied, desperate to know what John had said to Bob about the whole process. Bob seemed to guess at her anxiety, “He knows you we...
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The Awakening of John - Episode 18

“Aren’t you going to invite me round to yours sometime?” Mubina had asked over lunch in the park the following day. The thought of her meeting Bob was exciting and terrifying in equal measure, but his hesitancy earlier in the week hadn’t helped, and he had enthusiastically invited her to come over on the Saturday. He’d mentioned that he had a friend staying and she’d been intrigued by the little he had shared about him. Bob was delighted by the news and offered to cook. This was a relief to John as he knew that the meal would be safe for Mubina to eat – he didn’t have to worry about what food would be appropriate alongside all his other anxieties. He had agreed to help with the prep and he knew that would give them a chance to talk – and that was adding to his anxiety. He decided to start a conversation on safe ground: “I’ve noticed that you spend a lot of time doing stuff that you don’t exactly have to – I mean you don’t have to peel the veggies – you don’t even have to cook the f...
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The Awakening of John - Episode 17

John arrived five minutes early, bearing flowers and chocolates – he had no idea whether these would be a blessing or an offence, but he decided pleading ignorance and or insanity was better than turning up empty-handed. With anxiety at an all-time high, he rang the doorbell. The door was opened by a man – whether an older sibling or father, he had no idea. “John, welcome, come in” then shouting, “Mubina, your fella is here – he brought me flowers and chocolates.” The evening was memorable – filled with laughter, a great deal of affectionate teasing and incredible food. Mubina’s family were quickly disarming which made his early confession so much easier: “Look, I’m going to be honest up-front, I’m ashamed to say I know almost nothing about Islam other than what’s presented on the news...” “Or spoken about in your church?” Mubina’s father asked. “Yes...” John replied hesitantly. “And what will they think about you going out with a Muslim girl?” John nodded, accepting the ques...
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The Awakening of John - Episode 16

The diversion had gone the following morning, but he’d set off in plenty of time, just in case, which meant he arrived even earlier and parked in ‘his’ spot before Mubina arrived. He waited in his car hoping that she would be there at her normal time and his heart raced a little as he saw the car enter the car park. He got out of his just as she got out of hers and walked across to her, holding out a milkshake he’d got from the cafe. She looked surprised to see him and even more by the proffered gift. He took the opportunity to begin his prepared speech. “I’d be really honoured if people thought we liked each other...” she cut him off, “Really? I thought you were scared of being seen with me. I’m not interested in anyone who’s going to run away at the first sign of a roadblock.” “You’re right, but that isn’t why I reacted like I did – I am sorry for how it seemed and for hurting you – that’s the last thing I wanted. Could we maybe have lunch or meet after work so I can explain more?”...
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