Faithful Horizons

Chapter 23: Grace's Prayer

Grace's journal lay open on her desk, the edges of its pages curling slightly from wear. She stared at the blank lines, the pen hovering in her hand, but no words came.

Her room was quiet except for the soft beat of the rain outside. Normally, this kind of stillness brought her peace, but tonight it felt heavy like the air itself carried Ethan's pain.

She set the pen down and rested her chin in her hands, her thoughts circling back to the text he hadn't responded to. She knew he was hurting. She knew he needed space. But that didn't stop the ache in her chest, the constant worry that he was pushing everyone away - including her.

God, what am I supposed to do?

The thought lingered as she flipped to a page in her Bible she'd marked earlier. The verse was one she'd read a dozen times, but tonight it felt different, sharper somehow:

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2

She sighed, running her fingers along the edge of the page. She wanted to carry Ethan's burdens, to help him shoulder the weight of his mom's illness and his doubts. But he wasn't letting her in, and she wasn't sure how much more she could do without pushing him further away.

Later that evening, Grace found herself sitting on the porch swing outside, a blanket draped over her lap. The rain had stopped, leaving the air damp and cool, the scent of wet earth hanging in the breeze.

"God," she whispered, closing her eyes. "I care about Ethan so much, but I'm scared. Scared that I'm not enough, that I'll say or do the wrong thing and drive him away. Scared that he'll never find what he's looking for."

She paused, her fingers tightening around the edge of the blanket.

"I know you're working in his heart. I see it, even if he doesn't. But I don't know where I fit into that. Am I supposed to keep trying? Or am I supposed to step back and let you take over?"

Tears slipped down her cheeks as she took a shaky breath. "Please, God. Please show me what to do. Give me the strength to love him the way you want me to, even when it's hard. And please, don't let him give up. Don't let him walk away."

Her words faded into the night, and she sat there for a long time, listening to the gentle rustle of the trees in the breeze.

The next morning, Grace sat across from her youth pastor, Sarah, in their favorite café. The hum of conversation around them felt distant as Grace poured out everything she'd been feeling.

"He's shutting me out," she said, stirring her coffee absently. "I don't blame him - he's going through so much. But I don't know how to help him when he won't let me in."

Sarah nodded, her expression thoughtful. "It sounds like he's carrying a lot of pain right now. And sometimes, when are hurting that deeply, they don't know how to ask for help - or even accept it when it's offered."

Grace sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I just feel so... powerless. Like no matter what I say or do, it's not enough."

"Grace," Sarah said gently, her eyes meeting hers. "It's not your job to fix Ethan."

Grace frowned, her hands tightening around her mug. "I know that. But if I care about him, shouldn't I try to help?"

"Of course," Sarah said. "But there's a difference between helping someone and trying to carry their burdens for them. You can't make Ethan believe in God, trust Him, or even accept your support. All you can do is love him and pray for him."

Grace's shoulders sagged as she let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "That's what I'm scared of - that loving him and praying for him isn't enough."

"It is," Sarah said firmly. "Even if it doesn't feel like it right now. God's working in Ethan's heart, Grace. You just have to trust that He knows what He's doing, even when you can't see it."

Grace nodded slowly, Sarah's words sinking in like a balm over her raw emotions. "You're right. I know you're right. It's just... hard."

Sarah smiled softly. "Faith usually is. But that's why it's so powerful."

That evening, Grace sat at her desk, her journal open once again. This time, the words came easily, her pen moving steadily across the page:

"God, I know you're working in Ethan's life, even if he can't see it yet. Please give him the strength to keep going, even when it feels like too much. And please give me the patience to love him the way he needs me to, not just the way I want to. Help me trust you with him, Lord because I know he's in your hands."

She closed the journal, her heart a little lighter than it had been the night before.

For now, she would wait.

A/N:

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