In the middle of the Bible study, Mrs. Gringle glanced back, then slipped out the side aisle. Trans didn't think much of it, but when she didn't return during the prayer time or the choir practice, Trans began to wonder what was going on.
Chapter six: Bad Turns to Good
A Character story about love.
That evening Trans explained the days events to his dad, and why he had to tell the 'secret' to his class. "You did the right thing, Son," his father said, nodding. "You can't leave them upset by an accident."
"But I waited for over an hour and Miss Sanders never came back. She still doesn't know and I think she might be really upset. She is the type that gets upset anyway. And after all, she actually saw me turn invisible."
"I'll try to get her by phone while you wash for supper. It will sure be a lot less headaches when this chemical wears off."
But Mr. Gringle was unable to get in touch with Trans' teacher all evening and the next day a substitute filled in. The class found it very hard to control their chatter and to keep Trans' ability a secret from her. Trans on the other hand was revelling in the attention, and found it very tempting not to scream and turn invisible just to keep the attention alive.
That Wednesday evening the Gringles made their way to prayer meeting at their church. The pastor was talking about the rapture, the catching away of believers mentioned in First Thessalonians chapter four, just before the future Tribulation period. As he talked, Trans began to scheme up ways to use his ability to turn invisible to make people believe in God. As his imagination expanded, and plans formulated, he could hardly wait to share them with Mike the next day.
In the middle of the Bible study, Mrs. Gringle glanced back, then slipped out the side aisle. Trans didn't think much of it, but when she didn't return during the prayer time or the choir practice, Trans began to wonder what was going on. "We'll just wait patiently," his dad said calmly. "She's talking with someone who has a special need I'm sure."
Most everyone was gone when Mrs. Gringle entered with her arm around the shoulder of another lady.
"Miss Sanders!" Trans gasped. "What are you doing here?"
"Trans!" his mother reprimanded.
"I-I didn't mean she wasn't welcome. I j-just meant, well, it seemed so strange- I mean, I'm not used to-"
"Maybe instead of putting your foot in your mouth any more, Son," Mr. Gringle inserted, "we should let Miss Sanders answer for herself."
She smiled and glanced at the floor. Trans could tell she had been crying and he just knew it was probably because he had upset her at school the day before.
"Well," Miss Sanders began, "when you disappeared yesterday, Trans, I was, of course, shocked. No, I was petrified. I went right home and locked the doors. After a while, I asked myself why I was so upset about something that was probably just a prank by a mischievous student." Trans blushed slightly. "I remember your telling me about the coming of the Lord some weeks ago now, and how the Christians are suddenly going to disappear. I realized that-that I wasn't ready to meet the Lord, but I didn't know how to get ready. I was pretty sure I would find some answers at your church so I came down this evening and found prayer meeting going on. What a shock it was to hear that your pastor was talking about the very same thing that was on my mind. Your mother saw me, and knew I needed help, so she took me into another room where- where I accepted the Lord Jesus as my Saviour."
Trans' eyes grew wide. "Wow! You got saved?! Cool! Wait 'til Mike hears this!"
The next morning Trans got up early enough to run three blocks to Mike's house. "Have I got news for you! I didn't call 'cause I wanted to see your face when I told you. Get this- Miss Sanders got saved at our church last night!"
"Radical, man! How'd that happen?"
"It was really because of us, or really me. She thought I got raptured- well sort of- and she wanted to be ready to meet the Lord!"
"That's cool. I did pray a few times for old Sanders but I didn't really think she'd ever get saved."
"And you know what else was neat? I was just sitting there last night, wondering what I could do for God. Suddenly I got this idea how we could scare people into heaven, little realizing I had already gotten started!"
"Scare people into heaven? What are you talking about?"
"It's simple. I turn invisible and walk next to you. You go meet someone on the sidewalk or somewhere and say something like, 'Did you know that the Lord may come back at any time? Are you ready to meet Him?' If they seem uninterested, then you tell them that suddenly all the Christians are going to disappear and right then I grab your shoulder, and presto! you'll turn invisible and they'll be so shocked that they'll get saved. Great or what! Come on, let's try it as soon as school is out!"