Mia sat at the edge of the small desk in her apartment, the edges of the brand-new Bible catching the golden light streaming through the window. The leather cover was smooth under her fingertips, its weight comforting yet intimidating. She'd bought it on a whim or maybe it wasn't a whim at all. Something had been stirring within her since the encounter in her bedroom the other night and their visit to Samuel's chapel, a quiet but persistent tugging at her heart.
That evening, after dinner, she opened it for the first time. The thin pages crackled softly as she turned them, her eyes drawn to the Gospel of John. She wasn't sure why she'd started there; it just felt right. As she read, the words seemed to leap off the page, resonating with a part of her she hadn't known was longing to be filled.
"In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." As she read through, tears pricked at her eyes. She didn't fully understand it all yet, but something about those words stirred her soul. She closed the Bible and rested her hands on the cover, whispering her first prayer aloud.
"God, if you're there, if this is real, please help me understand. Help me trust."
The days that followed were different. Mia began setting aside time each morning to read a passage or two and reflect. She'd found an online devotional guide that helped her navigate the scriptures, making connections she'd never thought about before. Prayer too, became a quiet ritual, a time when she could speak freely about her fears, her hopes, and her gratitude.
One Sunday morning, she decided to attend a nearby church. She grabbed her phone and dialed Alex's number; "morning Alex"
"Morning my love" he replied.
Huh, did he just say what she thought he said? This was the first time Alex would call her his love. Still grabbling with this thought and with a blush on her face, she replied; "How was your night, how are you feeling this morning?"
Still groggy from a late night of researching alternative treatments and not wanting to be open up about this, he simply said; "yeh was alright, just a bit tired."
"Well Alex, I'm about to get ready to go to Church and thought to ask if you would like to join me"
"Church?" he asked, sipping his coffee.
"Yeh" said, her expression calm but resolute. "I just… feel like I need to go. I want to learn more. You're welcome to come with me."
Alex smirked, but it lacked its usual playfulness. "Not my thing. But you go ahead. Let me know how it is."
The service was unlike anything Mia had expected. The music was vibrant, the congregation warm and welcoming. When the pastor began to speak, his words felt personal, as though he were addressing the questions swirling in her heart. He talked about faith as a journey, about taking small steps toward trust and surrender. By the end, Mia felt lighter, as though she'd laid down a weight she hadn't realized she was carrying.
Over the next few weeks, her newfound faith began to weave itself into her daily life. She found herself humming hymns as she cooked, jotting down verses on sticky notes to place around the apartment, and eagerly anticipating Sunday services. She shared snippets of what she was learning with Alex, but his responses were often guarded.
One evening, as they sat on the couch watching a movie, Mia paused it and turned to him. "Can I ask you something?"
Alex sighed, knowing where this was headed. "Go ahead."
"Why are you so skeptical about faith? About God?" she asked gently.
He leaned back, rubbing his temples. "It's not that simple, Mia. I've spent my whole life relying on things I can see, touch, and prove. Science, logic, facts. Faith… it feels like stepping off a cliff without knowing if there's anything to catch you."
Mia nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I get that. I really do. But what if there's something… someone… waiting to catch you, even if you can't see it?"
Alex shrugged, his gaze distant. "Maybe. But I'm not there yet."
She reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "That's okay. Faith is a journey, not a sprint. I'm just asking you to keep an open mind."
He glanced at her, the skepticism in his eyes softening just a little. "I'll think about it," he said quietly.
As Mia continued to grow in her faith, she prayed for Alex. Not to change him, but for him to find his own path, whatever that might look like as well as for his healing. And though Alex remained hesitant, he couldn't deny that something was changing in Mia. She was lighter, more peaceful, and there was a joy in her that even he couldn't ignore.