Finding Lydia

Chapter 4: The Call to Faith

Biblical Verse: Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Lydia stepped off the bus, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and fear. The city stretched out before her, a maze of towering buildings, flashing lights, and bustling streets that seemed to hum with a life of their own. The air was cooler here, carrying a sharp breeze that tugged at her coat as she pulled her bag closer. She had made it. But now, standing at the threshold of this new world, the reality of her decision hit her all at once.

She was really doing this.

The bus station was loud and chaotic, so different from the quiet stillness of home. Lydia felt a knot form in her stomach, but she pressed on, following the signs toward the exit. Her mentor from the writing residency had arranged for someone to pick her up, and she kept an eye out for a sign with her name. Despite the unease, she felt a strange sense of calm too, as if the conversation with Jacob had settled something deep within her.

Sure enough, a woman stood near the exit holding a sign that read, "Lydia Matthews, Welcome!" The woman was in her early forties, with auburn hair pulled back into a loose bun and a warm smile that instantly put Lydia at ease.

"Lydia!" the woman called, waving as soon as their eyes met.

Lydia waved back and hurried over, her heart lifting slightly as she reached the woman.

"You must be Lydia. I'm Jenny, one of the coordinators for the residency program," the woman said, her tone friendly and welcoming. "We're so excited to have you here. How was the trip?"

Lydia smiled, grateful for the warm reception. "Long, but good. It's nice to finally be here."

Jenny nodded understandingly. "I remember that feeling. When I first moved to the city, it felt like stepping into a whole different world. Don't worry—you'll settle in soon enough."

Lydia couldn't help but hope she was right. As Jenny led her through the busy station toward the car parked outside, Lydia took in the sights and sounds of the city. Everything felt so big, so alive. It was exhilarating, but also overwhelming. Back home, she could walk down the street and know nearly everyone she passed. Here, she was just another face in the crowd.

Once they were in the car, Jenny gave Lydia a brief rundown of what to expect in the coming days. The residency program was housed in an old, refurbished building downtown, a few floors above a cozy café that the writers frequented. There would be an orientation the next morning, where she'd meet the other residents, as well as some established writers who would serve as mentors throughout the program.

As Jenny spoke, Lydia felt the weight of the residency settling on her shoulders. This wasn't just a weekend workshop or a writing retreat. This was six months—six months of immersion in a world she had only dreamed about, six months of working on her craft and figuring out what kind of writer she was meant to be. The thought thrilled her, but it also terrified her.

"Here we are," Jenny announced, pulling up in front of a brick building tucked between two high-rises. The building was charming, with ivy climbing up its walls and large windows that glowed warmly against the evening sky. It looked welcoming, like a hidden oasis in the middle of the city's chaos.

Jenny helped Lydia with her bag as they entered the building. Inside, the lobby was just as cozy as the exterior, with mismatched furniture, shelves filled with books, and a large bulletin board covered in flyers and announcements for local events. A few other writers were milling about, chatting in small groups or sitting in comfortable chairs with laptops open. The atmosphere was relaxed, creative, and full of potential.