Finding Lydia

Chapter 3: A Stranger's Kindness

Biblical Verse: Isaiah 43:19
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

The sun was beginning to set as Lydia sat at the small town bus station, clutching her worn leather bag tightly in her lap. The sound of cars passing by and the murmur of other passengers waiting for their own journeys filled the air, but Lydia felt strangely detached from it all. Her heart was racing, and her mind was spinning with thoughts about the uncertainty ahead.

This was it—the beginning of her new life. She was leaving the only home she'd ever known, the family that had shaped her, and the small community that had been her constant. The residency awaited her in the city, and while she was filled with excitement, the fear of the unknown loomed large. Was she making a mistake? Had she misunderstood God's calling, or worse, was she following her own desires instead of His plan?

The bus rolled into the station, its tires screeching softly as it came to a stop. Lydia hesitated for a moment, staring at the open door, before taking a deep breath and stepping forward. She handed her ticket to the driver, who gave her a tired nod, and found an empty seat by the window. The bus was modest, and the seats were worn from years of use, but Lydia barely noticed. She sat down and gazed out at the fading landscape of her hometown, trying to steady her nerves as the bus pulled away from the station.

The motion of the bus was rhythmic, almost soothing, but Lydia's mind was too full to let the calmness settle in. She fumbled with the strap of her bag, pulled out her Bible, and opened it to the Psalms. It had always been her go-to in times of uncertainty, a balm for her restless spirit.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding," she whispered to herself, reading from Proverbs. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."

But no matter how many times she read those words, they didn't quite silence the small voice of doubt that kept creeping in. Was this really the path God had chosen for her? She had prayed, she had sought His will, and yet she still felt like she was stepping into darkness, unsure of what lay ahead.

As the bus continued on its way, making stops in small towns along the route, the seat beside her remained empty for most of the trip. Lydia didn't mind. The solitude gave her time to think, even if thinking wasn't bringing her the peace she so desperately needed. But at the next stop, a man stepped onto the bus. He was tall, with sandy brown hair and a kind face that looked vaguely familiar, though Lydia couldn't place where she might have seen him before. He glanced around the bus before settling into the seat beside her, offering a polite smile as he sat down.

Lydia nodded in acknowledgment but quickly returned her gaze to the window. She wasn't in the mood for conversation, especially not with a stranger. The weight of her decision and the uncertainty of the future were enough to keep her thoughts occupied.

Several minutes passed in silence before the man spoke.

"Heading into the city?" he asked, his voice calm and friendly.

Lydia glanced at him, surprised by the question. She hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. You?"

He smiled and leaned back in his seat. "Yeah. Business, mostly. But I try to enjoy the journey when I can."

Lydia nodded, unsure of how to respond. She wasn't one to strike up conversations with strangers, especially not on a bus. But there was something about the man's easy demeanor that made her feel a little more comfortable. He wasn't intrusive, just friendly.