Sunday morning arrived with the warmth of sunlight streaming through the curtains, casting a golden glow across Jessica's room. She sat on the floor with her Bible open, her knees pulled up to her chest as she whispered a prayer. The house was still, a sacred silence wrapped around her like a warm blanket.
"Lord, You are my provider," she whispered, eyes closed. "You know my needs. You know the sponsorship I've been praying for. Help me to trust You, even when things feel uncertain."
Downstairs, the kitchen was a whirlwind of activity. Ruth moved around with the finesse of someone who'd done it a thousand times before, slicing sandwiches for the after-service fellowship. Paul leaned against the counter, scrolling through his phone. Beside him stood Ethan, Jessica's older brother, munching on a slice of toast.
"Jess, you ready?" Ruth called out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Coming!" Jessica emerged from her room in a light floral dress, her wavy hair tumbling over her shoulders. Her face was radiant, eyes glistening with the peace that followed her morning prayer.
---
Meanwhile, across town, Michael stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie. He took a deep breath, eyes closed, whispering a prayer, "Lord, today is Yours. Help me keep my heart focused on You first."
His mom, Grace, walked in, smoothing her dress. "Michael, you ready? We don't want to be late."
Michael nodded. "Yeah. I'm ready."
Grace smiled, giving her son a knowing look. "Last Sunday, we left early and didn't get to meet anyone. Maybe today, you'll get to meet some new faces."
Michael nodded but didn't mention anything about Jessica. He was keeping it to himself, the feeling that today would be the day. But more importantly, he knew, whether he saw her today or not, he would meet her tomorrow at the sponsorship meeting.
---
The church was bustling with people as the Marens and Eliases entered from different sides of the foyer. Ruth stood near the fellowship table, setting down her sandwich tray, while Grace spotted her from across the room.
"Ruth Maren!" Grace's voice carried over the chatter as she walked toward her with open arms.
Ruth turned, her face breaking into a grin. "Grace Elias! Oh, it's been too long!"
They embraced, exchanging warm pleasantries as their husbands joined them. Paul and Peter shook hands, reminiscing about old times.
"We came last Sunday, but we didn't really get to meet anyone," Grace said, glancing around the room. "Hopefully, today we will."
"Oh, you should've stayed longer," Ruth said, smiling. "Everyone is so warm here."
Meanwhile, Michael lingered nearby, eyes subtly scanning the room. He was looking for her. For Jessica. But he didn't say anything to his parents. His mind was focused on one thing: He knew, no matter what, he would meet her tomorrow for the sponsorship meeting.
His gaze settled on the children's ministry entrance, where a group of kids tumbled out, followed by a petite girl with wavy hair. She had her back to him as she knelt to tie a child's shoe.
Before he could take a step closer, his father's voice pulled him back. "Michael, meet Ruth."
Michael turned around, meeting Ruth's warm, motherly gaze. "Michael Elias?" Ruth said, her smile widening. "Wow, you're so grown up now."
Michael nodded politely. "Yes, ma'am. Nice to meet you."
Grace nudged Ruth playfully. "This one's a catch. You know, he's quite the businessman now."
"Oh, really?" Ruth said, raising her brows. "Well, good for you, Michael."
Michael smiled, but his mind wasn't fully there. His thoughts were still with Jessica. Even though he hadn't seen her yet today, he knew for sure that tomorrow, at the meeting, he would finally meet her.
Jessica stepped into the room just as Ruth spoke but was immediately surrounded by the kids, each showing off their drawings.
"Miss Jessica, look what I made!" a little girl said, waving a crayon-covered paper.
"Wow, that's beautiful!" Jessica knelt down, her attention fully on the children, completely unaware of the conversation happening just a few feet away.
Michael's back was to her, his focus on Ruth and his parents. "It's nice meeting everyone," he said, his eyes darting toward the children's ministry door once more.
But Jessica remained out of sight, her face hidden behind a sea of tiny, eager hands showing off their art.
---
After the service, Grace and Ruth continued chatting, their husbands laughing as they talked about old football games. Ethan stood by Jessica, teasing her as she tried to corral the kids to their parents.
Michael stood beside his father, feeling the tension ease. Maybe today wasn't meant for him to meet Jessica. Maybe it was just another waiting moment in God's plan. But one thing was certain—tomorrow, he would meet her at the sponsorship meeting.
"Ready to head out?" Peter asked, patting Michael's back.
Michael hesitated, his eyes lingering one last time on the children's ministry door. "Yeah," he said, though a part of him felt disappointed.
Jessica walked out with a little girl in her arms, her laughter echoing through the room. But Michael was already walking away, unaware that the girl he'd been waiting to see was right behind him, her heart light and her smile bright.
And as he stepped into the car, Michael whispered a prayer under his breath. "God, if she's the one, let me see her in Your time."
The Maren family stayed behind, helping clean up. Jessica leaned against the wall, watching her mom laugh with Grace. "Mom, who was that?"
"Oh, just some old friends," Ruth said, handing her a cookie. "Grace and Peter Elias. Such a lovely family."
Jessica shrugged, dismissing it. "Hmm. Sounds nice."
Ethan leaned in, munching another cookie. "Did you see how Mom was beaming? I think she's planning another dinner already."
Jessica groaned, nudging her brother. "You think everything's about food."
Ethan grinned, tossing a piece of cookie in the air and catching it with his mouth. "Well, you can't pray on an empty stomach."
But as she walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling that God was orchestrating something, something she couldn't quite see yet.