Page 30 of Still Afraid

He took a step closer to her and planted a kiss on her forehead. Warmth and peace washed over her.

She slid her arm around his waist and squeezed. “I’m going to help my mom get dinner on the table.”

He nodded and let her slip away.

When Chloe entered the kitchen, Mom was stirring a big pot of tricolor rotini.

“Is that for Italian pasta salad?”

“Of course. And it’s ready to come out, so grab the big colander.”

Chloe jumped in to assist, taking over the making of the pasta salad. While the noodles cooled in the refrigerator, Chloe chopped bell peppers.

In waves she didn’t seem able to jump over, anxiety bombarded her.

God, help me.

Why did it take such intense focus to keep it at bay?

She walked over to the sink to rinse another pepper, and her eye caught a bright pink sticky note on the window.

Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd …

Her mom had the entire Psalm written out on two sticky notes in her tiny teacher writing. But the part that caught Chloe’s attention more than anything was verse four.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

She turned off the faucet and stared out the window at the gathering clouds. Despite the sunshine they’d had while moving this afternoon, it looked ominous outside now.

I’ve walked through that valley of death too many times, Lord. Can’t we just be done, safe and happy from now on? Why does this sense of impending doom always hang over my head?

Mom came up beside Chloe and bumped her with her elbow. “Don’t look at the swirling clouds. Keep your eyes fixed on the One who not only created those clouds but has command over them still.”

“That seems easier said than done sometimes.”

“It is. But it’s something we have to continually be conscious of doing. Too many distractions demand our attention”—lightning illuminated the sky in the distance—“like that, to draw our eyes away. The key is refocusing on Him as soon as we realize our attention has been diverted.”

“I know.”

“I know you know, but I also know I have to be reminded of this truth constantly too. You aren’t alone in any of it. You aren’t alone in feeling anxiety. You aren’t alone in needing to be reminded of things you know. And you aren’t alone, period. God is with you all the time, and He’s given you a strong man who is anchored to the Lord and will help point you in the right direction.”

“And an awesome Mom who always helps clear the fog.”

“Just trying to be obedient to the calling He placed on my life.” Mom bumped her elbow into Chloe’s arm again before walking away to return to her task.

Chloe inhaled deeply and focused her heart into a posture of surrender and her attention on cutting the remaining bell pepper.

Josh leaned forward where he sat on the couch, resting his elbows on his knees. His eyes were fixed on Chloe’s dad’s computer screen. He probably should start calling him dad, but that still felt strange.

The line of storms gathering overhead was gaining intensity by the minute. A few spots looked like they could be building up rotation too.

Poirot jumped up from the spot he’d been relegated to on the floor and nuzzled his way under Josh’s legs, then lied down again.

Josh petted his head. “You aren’t getting scared, are you? I thought you were a brave dog?”

Gabe chuckled. “Only if Chloe is in the room. Otherwise, I swear he’s the biggest fraidy-cat there is.”

Poirot let out a low growl.