Something had shifted.Something was new.And she knew that she was changed.
CHAPTER25
The flames in the firepit snapped and popped, releasing long tongues of fire up to heaven.
Kyle glanced across at the woman who sat opposite, her expression holding a sweet contentment he had never seen before.Maybe it was just his hopes, but he’d really thought that she had made a commitment to God earlier.
And the fact that both Bella and Gen might’ve prayed that prayer made his heart almost sore from pure delight.
He’d texted the Northwest Ice chat with news of Bella’s salvation.
Been met with a dozen excited messages, filled with multiple comments involvinghallelujahandpraise the Lord.
Ryan had texted separately.
How are things going with Gen?
He’d messaged back.
A million times better.Keep praying for her.
Will do.
But he didn’t want to assume she’d made that commitment, even though he’d peeked up before to see she’d been just as intent as Bella, eyes closed, head bowed, as he’d fumbled his way through praying what he thought was the sinner’s prayer.
He hadn’t had time to ask Gen either, as his mom and dad had surprised them with a visit, and Bella had been so busy telling them about what she’d just done that he needed to hold his questions for Gen until now.Of course, it didn’t hurt to have a young child tell his parents about how to get saved.They had listened politely even while glancing at Kyle occasionally as if wondering if this was true.
He’d nodded, and prayed silently for them, as he had a thousand times before.That they would know the healing power of Jesus, and find hope in God, rather than chase success that ultimately would fail.They were inside, having read Bella a bedtime story, before announcing they were ready for sleep.
“It’s been a big day, huh?”
Gen nodded, her gaze on the fire.Shadows flickered across her face.
Lord, if she is a Christian, does that mean we can be together?
Wait.
Wait?He felt like he’d been waiting forever for this second shot at love.But okay, God.Your will, not mine.Have Your way.
He exhaled, and maybe it was a little loud because she glanced across at him.“Are you okay?”
“Really okay.I’m still trying to come to terms with what happened earlier.”
“You mean with Bella?”
And you?he longed to ask, but didn’t say.He didn’t want her to feel any sense of pressure.He didn’t want her to make a commitment to God because she thought that’s what Kyle needed to hear.
Ah, so maybe that was why God wanted him to wait.
Okay, that makes sense, God.Help me to be patient.
The evening held a deep, still kind of warmth.Like the earth had finally relaxed.Stars twinkled above.The soft low splash of water against the sand held a kind of lullaby.
He closed his eyes, his heart marveling still, at all that had occurred.
God was good.So very, very good.And Kyle knew he did not deserve it, but this was what grace felt like.Favor from heaven, merciful blessing.Like God Himself was smiling on them.
His eyes burned with dumb tears.Oh, seeing his family saved made him such a wuss.But he was so glad, so glad, glad, gladto know that Bella had prayed that prayer, and that Gen might’ve prayed it too, and that even his mom and dad had finally deigned to hear the truth about Jesus.Out of the mouths of babes—well, Bella—but still.He was sitting in a miracle.He blinked hard.Had to rub his eyes to deal with more stupid tears.
