It was late when Nicholas finally came home, the sound of the front door clicking shut pulling you from your thoughts. You looked up from the book you'd been reading and saw him standing there, his shoulders slumped, his face a mix of exhaustion and something heavier—something you couldn't quite place.
"Hey baby." he finally says tired eyed.
"Hey," you said softly, setting the book aside. "Rough day?"
He nodded, running a hand through his hair as he walked into the living room. "You could say that."
You patted the spot beside you on the couch, and he didn't hesitate, sinking down with a sigh. For a moment, he didn't say anything, just stared at the floor. Finally, he spoke.
"They want me to do a scene," he said, his voice low. "A... a scene I'm not comfortable with. It's intimate. It feels... wrong."
Your heart ached as you saw the conflict in his eyes. You knew how much acting meant to Nicholas—it wasn't just a job to him, it was his passion, his calling. But you also knew how deeply he valued his faith and your marriage.
"What did you tell them?" you asked gently.
He shook his head, his jaw tightening. "I didn't give them an answer. They're pressuring me, saying it's part of the character's story, part of the art. But... I can't shake the feeling that it's crossing a line. It feels like I'd be betraying you. And God."
Tears welled in your eyes at the raw honesty in his voice. You reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. "Nick, I know how much you love acting, and I know how hard you've worked to get where you are. But your faith—our faith—has always been the foundation of everything. You don't have to compromise that for anyone."
He nodded, but the doubt lingered in his expression. "What if they think I'm difficult to work with? What if this ruins my career? I love acting, but I don't want to lose who I am because of it. I don't want to lose Him."
You cupped his face in your hands, forcing him to look at you. "Nick, God didn't bring you this far just to abandon you. If this role isn't aligned with who you are and what you stand for, then it's not the right role for you. And that's okay. Trust that He has something better."
Nicholas closed his eyes, leaning into your touch. "It's so hard, though," he whispered. "I feel like I'm being torn in two."
You smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "That's why we're going to pray about it. Together."
He opened his eyes, and you could see the glimmer of hope returning. "You really think that'll help?"
"I know it will," you said firmly. "God's word says in James 1:5, 'If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.' Let's ask Him for guidance, Nick."
The two of you knelt together in the living room, hands clasped tightly. You led the prayer, asking God to give Nicholas clarity and courage, to guide him in his decisions, and to remind him of His plan. Nicholas's voice joined yours, shaky at first but growing stronger as he poured out his fears and doubts to the Lord.
When the prayer ended, Nicholas stayed quiet for a moment, his eyes closed. Finally, he looked at you, his expression more peaceful than before. "I think I know what I need to do," he said.
You smiled. "What's that?"
"I'm going to tell them I can't do the scene," he said firmly. "And if they don't understand, then it's not the right project for me. I can't let my career pull me away from my faith or from you. God has always provided, and I have to trust that He'll keep doing that."
Pride swelled in your chest as you saw the conviction in his eyes. "I'm so proud of you, Nick. And I'll be right here, no matter what happens."
He pulled you into his arms, holding you tightly. "Thank you," he whispered. "For always reminding me of what matters most. For being my anchor."
The days that followed weren't easy, but Nicholas stayed true to his decision. When he explained his boundaries to the producers, some pushed back, but others respected his stance. Ultimately, the role didn't work out—but it wasn't long before a new opportunity came along, one that aligned perfectly with his values and his talent.
One night, as the two of you sat on the porch, Nicholas turned to you with a smile. "You were right," he said. "God had something better all along."
You smiled back, resting your head on his shoulder. "He always does, Nick. We just have to trust Him—even when it's hard."
And in that moment, with the stars shining above and Nicholas's hand in yours, you both knew that faith was the foundation of everything—and as long as you kept it at the center, there was nothing you couldn't face together.
