Page 59 of Still Afraid

Her dad hugged her. “Let’s give praise where it’s due.”

They all nodded, and Troy led them in a prayer of thanksgiving for safety and a prayer of help for all the people affected by the storm.

They all recognized that while they were fortunate, maybe not everyone had been.

Chloe wandered around the remnants of her home, wondering how she could feel numb yet buzzing with so many different emotions all at once.

Josh and Poirot followed her around as if they would never let her out of their sight again. And she was fine with that because she felt the exact same way.

“I’m glad we moved as much as we did on Sunday.”

Josh smiled at her. “Agreed. Especially those pricey books.”

“You better believe it.” She swatted his arm playfully.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her close. “I know you well enough to know you were terrified down there.”

“You aren’t wrong. Who wouldn’t be though?”

“You have a great attitude about this.” One of his eyebrows quirked up funny.

“Let’s just say Jesus helped me through it, because you aren’t wrong that I panicked.”

“He’s pretty great at helping.”

“Especially when we cry out to Him. He reminded me He is my refuge, and I have to cling to Him. The hardest part is I seem to forget that every time I turn around. I don’t get it.”

Josh looked to the side as if contemplating his next words. “I think that’s part of the process. We continually have to put our trust in Him.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier if we kept our trust in Him?”

“Yet faith is active, isn’t it? If our trust in Him was constant—not saying it shouldn’t be—but if we are constantly choosing to trust, doesn’t that keep our faith active?”

“Hmm. I’m getting tired of having so many opportunities to do so.”

Josh chuckled. “Same. But God is drawing us closer to Him through it all.”

“And that makes it worth it. I’m ready to celebrate some joys instead of enduring hardship.”

“Ten days.”

“If we survive that long.” She went up on her toes and kissed Josh’s cheek before turning away.

“I’d laugh, but that’s feeling a little too close right now.”

She spun back to him and threw her arms around his neck. “Way too close. I think I’m going to not let go.”

“Same.”

“You have a fortnight, guys. You can make it.” Lance walked over to them.

Chloe released Josh, but he kept his arm around her waist. “We were just joking about whether we would make it with all that’s happened.”

Lance crossed his arms. “God has worked too hard getting the two of you together to let something silly like death separate you.”

Chloe snickered. “I hope you’re right.”

The three of them and Poirot wandered out of the rubble to the driveway where Dad and Gabe were talking to a few other people—both neighbors and first responders.