Page 95 of Sing with Me

and claim the crown through Christ my own.

Skye thanked God she made it through the last verse without her voice cracking, even though she hadn’t warmed up her vocal cords this morning. She had sung this hymn countless of times.

“I’ve lost everything,” Diehl muttered.

“No, you haven’t lost God.”

“You? Have I lost you too?”

Skye moved. She sat down at the edge of the couch where Diehl was, and put a palm on his chest. “I’m here.”

He placed his palm over her hand. “Stay with me.”

“Better yet, God stays with us,” Skye said. “Once you belong to God, He does not leave you nor forsake you. ‘

“I need God.”

“We all need God. He can solve all our problems.”

“Isn’t that simplistic?”

“Our problems are nothing to God. He has already solved the biggest problem of all: sin.”

“I suppose.”

“You think he didn’t know about your DNA? He made your DNA.”

“You’re right.”

“God is right,” Skye corrected him. “Line up with God and He’ll solve your most difficult problems. Nothing is impossible for God.”

“I’ve heard that before. Grandpa Brooks…”

The phone rang.

Skye handed it to him. “Your son needs you.”

He shook his head. “I can’t. You talk to him.”

So Skye answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Skye?” Ethan’s voice was peppered with breathing. “Are you cooking for Dad today?”

“My chef is helping me. You’re up early on a Saturday.”

“Where’s Dad?”

“He’s… How are you?”

“We can’t find Elisa.”

“What?” Skye nearly fell off the couch. “Since when?”

“This morning… She wasn’t in her room.”

Skye stood up. “Did you call 911?”

“Grandma Rose did. We all tried to call Dad forever.”

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