Page 121 of To Believe In You
She turned to the last place she’d found any semblance of comfort—Psalm 23. If the passage had worked while facing Shane, it would help now.
To force herself to focus on the text and not her worries, with the King James to prompt her, she muttered the modern-day translation she’d memorized aloud. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
For you are with me.
She hadn’t remembered that part during the standoff with Shane, but it smoothed the waves of anxiety now, almost as though Jesus Himself had told the storm in her to be still.
The psalm didn’t end at not fearing. Instead of blind optimism or rose-colored glasses, faith grounded the psalmist’s confidence.
“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
She smoothed her finger under the words on the thin page, the paper rustling.
She didn’t have to protect herself, though dangers lurked on every side. God was with her, and He would lead and protect her. Her part was to draw close to Him, ask for guidance, and wait for leading.
She’d beaten herself up for decisions she’d made, like not running from Shane. Who better than she knew how poorly she could discern another’s character? But perhaps God had allowed her to discern what was true—or at least true enough—of Shane when it counted.
Maybe the reason she hadn’t run was because God hadn’t told her she had to. If His plan for her life had required her to run, He would’ve ensured she did.
The assurance left her aching heart hungry for more. She read on, eyes next lingering on the verse that promised God would prepare a table for her in the presence of her enemies.
If she’d known her enemy was in the house two days before, she wouldn’t even have been thawing chicken for dinner. And yet God promised a sense of safety so complete, she could enjoy a banquet, regardless of present dangers. The picture illustrated the epitome of feeling secure.
A gift to her as a believer.
The God who’d protected her from Shane would also prove trustworthy in whatever she faced in the future—threats to the inheritance, issues with her parents, even the risk of loving again.
She lifted her eyes to the ocean, but the view blurred with memories.
Matt’s heart had pounded against her ear when he’d pulled her into that protective hold as Shane ran. Had he been afraid after all? Regardless, in his arms, she’d felt secure.
The words of his text came back to her as clearly as the Bible verses she’d just read.
I was at your house because I need you, and I didn’t run because I love you. You asked and I never answered, so there it is.
She hadn’t replied, and after such a message, a day constituted a significant delay. Had he managed to put it out of his mind, or was he feeling as tortured as she would’ve felt, were the situation reversed?
The poor guy deserved reassurance, but a conversation that involved declaring one’s love ought to happen in person. Should she go back immediately?
As a seagull swooped over the beach, she pulled the blanket tighter. She’d only just run from Lakeshore to find shelter here, yet she’d found the safety she was looking for in God, not in a location.
She was physically secure right now. Spiritually, forever.
She might have to remind herself of that a million times before she recovered from the scare with Shane, but that was okay. Truth wouldn’t wear out with use.
* * *
Why did you need me?
Matt looked from Lina’s texted question to the control room. Headphones dwarfed Axel’s little noggin, and they must’ve lifted his chair as high as it would go, or his shoulders wouldn’t have been visible through the window. They’d given their guests a tour of the studio suite, and the plan now was to run through some songs for the upcoming tour.
Gannon was still adjusting his tuning, so Matt typed a response to Lina. His injury meant he still wouldn’t be singing. This nervous, he wasn’t sure he could play, either, but he did manage to hit the tiny letters on his phone screen. Maybe he had some hope of not embarrassing himself.
Advice about Axel. I wish I’d let you brainstorm with me. Now, Tim brought him and his parents here, and it’s …
Behind the control room glass, Tim pointed out something on the soundboard. Both Axel and Zach, Nadia’s husband, focused on that, while Nadia seemed lost in thought as she bounced her daughter on her knee.
Matt finished typing his text. …wonderful, terrifying, and awkward.
