Sarah's Story

Pondering

Josiah drives home in a fog. His mind is still with the girl who had given up so much out of fear. He can't completely emphasize. He can understand only so much. But, she is his sister-in-Christ and maybe more. Would that make sense in the light of all she is going through? Would it be seen as pity by her instead of growing love? Must important, was it God's will?

He can't deny the attraction that he feels for her, had felt for a long time, and now, with his eyes open, he sees she returns. He pulls into his driveway, still pondering these questions, still without answers. He knows that he needs to keep praying on it. To wait on God's answer. But knowing and having the patience to wait, to be stil, are two different things.

"Josiah," his mom greets him as he walks into the living room."How is Sarah?" He sits down and tells her and his dad, all that happened. His mom gasps and his dad slowly shakes his head.

"That poor child," says his mom," how is her dad?"

"Staying strong for her but, you can tell how haunted he is."

"Is there anything we can do, besides pray, of course?"

"Well, Beth's mom is organizing meals for him. You could help with that?"

"I will call her right now." She says as she hurries towards the phone in the kitchen. He and his dad sit in silence for a moment. He looks closely at his son and asks,

"How are you son? Really?"

"Well," Josiah responds with a sigh," not good. She is a good friend and we are closely bonded by our prayer group. And, seriously dad, I don't know how to emphasize. I don't know how to deal with this and," a deep breath," I think I love her."

He sits still for a moment, thinking. He then turns to his son, takes his hand and says,"Do you think or do you know son? How would you think of her if this hadn't happened? I want you to think and pray on that. As for emphasizing with her, you won't be able to the way your mom, Beth, and her mom does.  But, empathy is carrying and showing it and you can and are doing that. If you realise this is real love you feel for her, your mom and I will support you. You are a strong, loving, Christian man. I trust that you will not trust your heart to anyone that God hasn't made just for you. So, pray and we will pray with you and along side you. It will all be made clear. In the meantime, you do what you have been doing, be her friend and her father's."

"I love you dad. Thank you."

"I love you too son and am so proud of you. Your mom put your supper in the microwave. Go on and eat."

He eats and then heads upstairs to shower and head to bed. It has been a very long day. As he settles down to sleep, he prays for a peaceful nights sleep for Sarah and all who love her.