His hands tightened on the steering wheel until his knuckles ached. Guilt nudged. He wasn’t really in a position to boss God around, was he? He stopped at the stop sign on Bayou Boulevard and tossed the truck into park. Rested his head on the steering wheel. “Please.”
Silence, save for the rain pelting the roof. Oh, what was the use? He was on his own. If God cared, He had a funny way of showing it. Maybe Linc had pushed Him away too. Like he’d done with Amelia. With Zoey.
Pastor Todd’s words echoed in his mind.Truth remains true whether we believe it or not.
Linc swallowed. He’d been in church enough times to know God never changed, and God couldn’t lie. If those facts were true—then, well, Godhadto care. The Bible said so.
Which meant there was still good being worked in all this, despite the evidence to the contrary. There was still something to hope for, fight toward.
Maybe even for his family.
Pray for God to help you believe it.
He squeezed his eyes shut. “Help me.” It was all he could utter. And yet somehow, in the deepest parts of his heart, a measure of that same peace washed over him. Cleansing. Like the rain streaking the windshield.
You did not choose me but I chose you…
Oh, how he wanted to believe that. Wanted to believe that not everyone walked away.
That someone picked him.
You did not choose me but I chose you…
The words seeped in, slow, deep. Taking root. His neck muscles slowly relaxed. Maybe he could believe it. After all, hadnotbelieving done anything besides shove away everyone he loved the most?
Okay, God. I believe.He swallowed.I believe what Your word says, even when I don’t feel it.
And then…he was feeling it. The peace spread. Along with it, a seed of hope, planted deep. He drew a clear breath, first one in a while. It was time for some changes, and that had to include being willing to believe all of these hard things. And being willing to tell the truth.
Then he tensed again. Wait.The truth.
He knew where Amelia was.
Linc shoved the truck into gear, peeled out. Nearly took out the bush on the corner, correcting just in time as his tires searched for purchase. He turned left and made the curve, back toward Village Green, but this time, the other end.
He parked in the lot, barely remembering to turn off his truck as he jumped back out into the rain. The trail was covered in wet leaves, downed branches as he jogged the path past the playground equipment and the gazebo.
To the lamppost.
Sure enough, a tiny figure sat hunched on the ground under the light, next to a backpack, arms wrapped around drawn-up legs. Linc’s chest nearly burst as he picked up the pace. “Amelia!”
She looked up but otherwise didn’t move.
He came to a stop next to her, lungs heaving.
She stared at him. “You sure are breathing hard for someone who works out so much.”
“I—oh.” All the things he planned to say when he found her fled. “Guess you’ll have to come with me to the gym, again. Motivate me.”
She looked away. “I doubt that.”
“Doubt you’ll come or doubt you’ll motivate me?”
She shrugged. “Both.”
He waited a beat, then dropped down beside her. Wanted to say something encouraging. Something hopeful.
Wanting desperately tonotput his foot in his mouth.
