Gen’s question seemed to startle him, as he glanced across at her.“I used to think that I had all the answers and was successful and could do all kinds of things and life seemed pretty awesome.But there was still this hollow feeling in my heart.So I got talking to some guys I knew who were Christians and they shared with me about a Bible study called Northwest Ice.I went along, heard what they shared, and found that all the stuff that I thought used to make sense like money or fame or success really is kind of hollow.It lasts for a minute then it’s gone like that.”He clicked his fingers.
Bella copied him.“Like that.”
“People die, and they can’t take their money with them.People chase fame, then someone more famous comes along.People want to look handsome or beautiful or young but sooner or later it all fades.All this striving and need for approval and success just makes people sick.”
Like she had been.Sick for approval.Sick to succeed.Yet the hunger inside had never been quenched.Not really.
Just like Kyle said.
“The Bible says that God has placed eternity in the hearts of all men,” Kyle continued softly.“That means that everyone is ultimately looking for that source of Life that truly gives meaning to our lives.And some people follow other religions, or distract themselves by making work or chasing money their religion, or chase success in other things, but it ultimately all fails, and that hollowness inside is still there.”
Kyle gestured to the sunset beyond them.“God, who created the universe, who made us, made you, wants to be your friend.And He wants to use us to be a blessing to others, to give our lives more meaning and purpose.Not with our jobs.”He smiled at Gen.“What you do to help people is amazing.But what if God isn’t that interested in what we do but is more interested in who we are?What if He wants to speak to us, use us for His purposes to encourage others to find hope and healing in Him, so people don’t need to spend their lives feeling broken and lie awake at night wondering if they should end it?”
Her skin prickled.She hadn’t feltthatdesperate, but those two days in bed recently had shown how easy it would be to succumb to that kind of pressure, to feel so completely overwhelmed and hopeless.Like there was no point to life at all.
Because if you lived for yourself and you were going to die anyway, then what actuallywasthe point?
To be seen as a nice person?To do good deeds?She’d tried to do both and kept failing.She could see what Kyle meant.Trying to win people’s approval and get things right all the time and prove herself good enough had only made her sick, and still hadn’t dealt with that hollow feeling in her heart.
But something seemed to have worked for Kyle.He possessed a contentment she’d never really known.But she’d like to know it now.
Bella’s head tilted.“So, are you saying that all I need to do is pray and ask God to forgive me for my sins and then He will?”
“Yep.And more than that, God wants to be your friend.He wants to talk to you, He wants to lead and guide you through each day.He wants to give you peace—”
Oh, sheyearnedto know real peace.
“—and be your rock when things are tough, and you feel like life is impossible.”
“But I’ve got Mom and you now,” Bella said.
“But we won’t always be around.And even when we’re adults, we need to know that there is somebody who is bigger than us who loves us and wants to work all things out for our good.That’s who God is.He loves you, and wants you to walk in His ways so you can have an amazing life.And just to be clear, tough times will still happen, but you can have peace knowing that God is there with you, every step of the way.”
There was that word again.Peace.
Bella nodded slowly.“And that’s what you did?You prayed that prayer?”
“I did.And that hollowness inside disappeared, as I felt God’s love inside me.And now I pray that God would lead and guide me every single day.”
“Huh.”Bella sat back, arms folded, then she nodded.“Well, I want that too.”
So do I.
Tears blinded her, and she almost missed the way Kyle’s face crumpled a little, before he hugged Bella tight.“You’ve got no idea how happy that makes me to hear that.”
“I’ve got some idea,” she squeaked.
“Oops.Sorry.I didn’t mean to squeeze so tight.”
“That’s okay.So, can we pray?”
“Right now?”
“Yep.”
“Okay then.”Kyle glanced across at Gen and she ducked her head.She couldn’t let him see how much his words had affected her.
“All right then.Bella, close your eyes.”
