Jamie, Lauren and God
In Part 1 the story tells how Jamie Button, after giving his life to Jesus in a coffee shop, reflects on what has just happened. He has a short but promising chat with Lauren, and then, rather boldly, decides to tell his parents what has happened. His short, rather unsuccessful, conversation with his father is closely followed by a rather more poignant one with his Mum. And then after that exciting morning, he falls asleep in the middle of the afternoon. The story continues…..
Part 2: “In a relationship”
I came to with a start. My mid afternoon sleep had ended abruptly in a dream that was short but mind-popping. Now I was wide awake, the dream still real in my mind. I never used to dream and when I rarely did I never remembered what they were about. But this was different!
In the dream I was sleeping when someone, who I knew could only be an angel, came to me. He gently woke me from my sleep saying: “Jamie Button! I have come with a message from God Himself! A message to encourage you and strengthen you as you set out on a new exciting journey!” were his very words. But that was not all! He said that as I travelled I would have a companion beside me. He said there would also be friends who would guide and explain all I needed to know. And finally, He told me not to worry about my Mum and Dad, but to pray for them and wait to be given the right words and time to share more with them. And then he disappeared!
Oh! To be honest I had never really had a companion before, nor friends who would share things with me! Fully awake, I was reflecting on all the angel had said and wondering what else the day had in store. And then I had a moment of panic! How long had I been asleep! Was I going to be late for my evening meal with my new friend Charlie and Becca, his wife?
I shouldn’t have worried. I was beginning to understand that allowing God into my life had repercussions at many levels. The dream I had was my new Lord and Saviour, Jesus Himself, stepping into my situation, preparing me for a new life and new relationships – and promising that old, broken ones would be restored. That is what His messenger had promised.I was so encouraged by that promise of restoration, a new peace in the relationship with my Mum and Dad.
I quickly checked the time on my phone . I had ust enough time to shower and change and then walk across town to the address Charlie had sent me earlier that morning.
I arrived at their house with moments to spare. Even from outside it had a feeling of peace about it, an air of specialness was the only way I could describe it.
I rang the doorbell. Charlie answered the door. “Come on in!” he said in a low voice, as if someone was asleep and not to be woken up. He was quickly joined by someone who could only be his wife, Becca. Just for a moment I felt a bit shy and ill at ease but she hurried forward to give me a huge hug. Then she almost whispered about how much she had been looking forward to meeting me. That was strange but her words and her smile were full of warmth and friendship.
““Come on through, Jamie!”, she said in a strangely hushed voice. “I hope you don’t mind but we have another guest tonight. Come and say hello!”. And she turned and, grabbing me by the hand, led me into their sitting room. A girl seated with her back to us heard us entering the room and stood up, turning to meet us. Never have two people looked so surprised as we must have done. We both cried out at the same time: “Jamie!” “Lauren!”.
Charlie and Beccacouldn’t help laughing as they explained what had happened. Charlie started: “It wasn’t until Becca and I met up at lunchtime and shared the two stories of our morning that we realised how our heavenly Father was orchestrating your two lives!”
Becca continued. “You see Laura and I had met in the Library this morning and after chatting for ages, we had arranged to meet up again this evening. And then Charlie told me his story and that he had invited you Jamie to supper – and then we suddenly realised that it was actually you two, who already knew each other and seemed about to get to know each other even better. It was definitely a “God thing” – so here we are! And here you are and we are excited because God so obviously has His hand on your two lives”.
Lauren and I looked at each other. I couldn’t stop smiling; Lauren burst into tears. Becca hugged her, Charlie put his hand on my shoulder. But not for long, because the front door bell rang. “That will be our food” Charlie pronounced. “We hope you like Chinese food? “ We both nodded enthusiastically.
“Do come through to the dining room”; Becca indicated the door in the corner. “It’s all laid up and ready to go, and here comes Charlie with the food!.” And at that moment Charlie arrived with a pile of insulated containers which emitted the wonderful aromas that could only be a Chinese takeaway.
“Here you two, can you sit yourselves over the far side of the table, so Charlie and I can be near the kitchen in case we need anything else.”
For the first time Lauren and I found ourselves sitting next to one another, just as if we were already an “item”! How my heart was beating! Lauren’s tears had turned to a beaming smile that melted my heart!
She looked at me, her eyes still a bit moist: “I’m sorry about my tears, Jamie – but they were tears of joy! I have so been waiting for this day!” I didn’t know what to say, this was all rather overwhelming!
Charlie handed out plates, opened all the dishes and Becca asked Lauren if she would say thank you for the food. She nodded happily – it was a good thing they didn’t ask me!
Rather breathlessly, she gave thanks for the food and for good company and Christian fellowship. And Ithought – that’s how God sees us – four of Jesus’ disciples enjoying food and time together. And I felt special, very special.
“So Jamie, you’ve been a Christian for about 9 hours now – how do you feel?” Charlie asked.
“It’s like every first day of all the summer holidays ever, all rolled into one. I feel as if a weight has been lifted off my life, and I’m excited by the promise of new experiences, new adventures stretching out before me in some sort of eternal summer break. I know that’s not how it will actually be, but that’s how it feels at this moment. And wonderful new friends to share it with!” And I shared with them the dream I had experienced only a short while earlier.
I glanced around the table to see everyone smiling – and then I felt a hand squeezing mine!
Becca placed a warm plate in front of each of us. “Come on, we need to tuck into this food before it gets cold. Then we can talk more about God’s plan for the futures of you two youngsters!”
I was suddenly aware that my last meal was a slice of millionaire shortbread In the coffee shop much earlier in the day, so I hardly needed any further encouragement. Luckily Charlie joined me – until he got a look from Becca that reminded him to help Lauren. So he said: “Are you hungry, Lauren? How much can I give you?” And he grabbed Lauren’s plate.
Lauren smiled. “I’m almost too excited to feel hungry!” she said, “But I can never resist stir fried beef and spicy sauce!”, she said. Charlie ladled her choice onto the plate, added some rice and handed it back to her. Soon all four of us were tucking in enthusiastically.
After a few minutes, Becca raised a question: “So what would you two like to talk about?” She looked across to me and Lauren inquisitively. “What about talking about relationships?” Lauren offered. At that moment my mind was blank.
Lauren continued: “Yes, as Christians, how do we do them?” My mind cleared. “What about the difference being a Christian makes?” I added.
Becca replied first. “Good questions! Well, I think we have two types of relationship to deal with!” She looked across at us both. “There is this new relationship between you two for consideration, and then there is Jamie’s new relationship as a disciple of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ – and with his heavenly Father, and with the Holy Spirit!
Lauren quickly added” Yes, and I need help with my relationship with God too! Seeing and hearing about your lives, Becca and Charlie, I realise something is missing. My relationship with God is quite shallow, just a token friendship. Something is missing for me! “
Becca nodded. “ I think that missing dimension in your life is actually a person, the Holy Spirit.”
Lauren looked thoughtful then said: “Yes! The Holy Spirit rarely gets mentioned in our church and never is a whole sermon preached about him! I think you are right Becca!”
I was feeling thoughtful but added: “Relationships! I don’t really do them! I’ve always had trouble relating to other people – parents, teachers, all my fellow students – well, until Lauren came into my world!”
Charlie reacted to that. “Me too, Jamie! I can relate to exactly what you have described! I had no close friends at school and when I got to University the one and only girl I had ever fancied rejected me.” I felt for Charlie and would have said so, but Lauren squeezed my hand again and I forgot what I was going to say.
Charlie continued: “And it all basically started with rejection by those who ought to have loved me, but didn’t want me, my parents.” I looked at Charlie and saw his face filled with emotion; that had been a big thing for him. He carried on: “Then to that was added my early struggles to fit in at school. It was pretty desperate! So it suited them, and me too I have to say, to be shipped off to a boarding school when I was 11. And that turned out to be a help, rather than making matters worse as you might think. It was a school for those with “learning difficulties”, but the teachers were special and did their best to prepare me for this complex world we now find ourselves living in!”
I was encouraged and needed to respond to what Charlie had said. “That’s so helpful Charlie. My relationship with my parents is almost nonexistent!. But there was another phrase that you used just now Becca that grabbed my attention – you talked about being a disciple of Jesus. How does that work – isn’t He back in heaven now? All this is just mind boggling!”
It seemed Becca was well prepared for my question! She launched in: “When we talk about Christian discipleship what we are talking about is a lifelong process that flows into us, through us and out of us, as we follow Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said: “I am the Way, the truth and the life. Nobody comes to the Father except through Me.” That was the goal of His life, death and resurrection. To restore us to God the Father Himself.”
She continued: “The foundation of this lifelong journey is the Bible – studying it, memorising it, calling upon its truths to guide every aspect of our lives as Christians.”
“But to do this you also need someone prepared to walk alongside you You might call this person your discipler. The two people are in a mentoring relationship, You need a mentor Jamie, to help you apply Biblical truths to your daily life and encourage you to enter into the purposes God has placed within you.”
I found myself nodding vigorously. That must be the way forward for me. And that was an odd thought for me, the Jamie who was famous for going it alone, refusing help whenever it was offered. Something had changed!
I was about to say something but Becca was already continuing: “And finally as Jesus’s disciple, you will have a practical response to God’s calling on your life, to minister to and serve those around you. You see when God created you, at the very moment of your conception, He placed His purpose inside you. You are made for a purpose, God’s purpose. So in that intimate relationship with Him, which has been restored by all Christ has done, and is now between you and Him alone you will find “shalom shalom”, which is translated as perfect peace. A perfect peace that shows itself in the abundant life provided by His grace though all Jesus accomplished by His life, death and resurrection. I love that phrase that Paul borrowed, that “In Him (God the Father) we live and move and have our being.”
Becca paused. Then:“Sorry, Jamie! I galloped on a bit there. I realise I’ve been saying a lot of things, using theological terms that will mean nothing to you at the moment! But that is why you need someone to explain. There will be a lot of this as you read the Bible and get to know God better!”
I nodded. “But I am so keen to learn. I definitely need someone to disciple me!”
Becca spoke: “Charlie?” she said. It was a question.
He nodded and turned to me: “Jamie, if you are willing I would love to be your mentor. I am more than willing for us to meet up as regularly as possible, especially in these early days. What do you think?”
I felt a warm glow all through me. “Yes please, Charlie, that would be fantastic. When can we we start?”
Becca spoke again. Another question: “What about you Lauren, would you accept me as your discipler?” I looked across at Lauren. Such a beautiful smile!
“Yes please!” she beamed.
At that everyone got up from the table hugged one another – and I found myself holding Lauren’s hand again. Both Charlie and Becca noticed. Becca was direct. “Is that the first time you’ve held hands?” We both blushed.
“Well in that case, I think we need to meet up regularly as a foursome too! Then Charlie and I can mentor you in your new relationship. It’s not necessarily straightforward, keeping on the straight and narrow as young Christians in a relationship!” Lauren and I both smiled and nodded in acceptance, still feeling a bit self-conscious.
“Well!”, said Charlie “after all that I think we need to celebrate. Dessert will be served. Is ice cream acceptable to everybody?” And he went off to the kitchen to fetch the celebration food.
It was in that moment of quiet I had a sudden thought: “I’m “in a relationship”! Wow!” Then a further thought: “Well actually more than one new relationship! God and Lauren and Charlie and Becca! Who would have thought it! And all in one day!”
And then I had a further thought: “But there’s one old relationship too! How can I sort out a new relationship with my parents? I must ask Charlie for advice!”
All references are from the NKJV unless specified otherwise.
John Partis
bearing-kingdom-fruit.com
Text copyright © John Partis 2026
John Partis asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
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