The letter trembled in Emma’s hands, her breath caught somewhere between her ribs. She read the words again and again, as if somehow the outcome might change: “We regret to inform you…” It was the dream job she’d felt called to—her chance to finally step into the future she had prayed for.
Failure. Fear. Both wrapped their cold fingers around her heart.
The late afternoon sun slanted through the kitchen window, warming the worn oak table where she sat. Through the ache in her chest, a quiet thought tiptoed into her mind: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." It was Joshua 1:9—one of her mother’s favorite verses. Emma pressed her forehead to the cool wood, whispering the words aloud, desperate for them to be more than ink on a page.
But fear was a stubborn guest.
Several restless days passed. Emma went through the motions—work, errands, church—but inside, her heart was a hollow vessel, sloshing with doubt. One gloomy Sunday afternoon, burdened beyond what she could carry alone, she wandered out to the meadow behind her apartment complex. The spring air was thick with the smell of wet earth and budding grass. A narrow path wound towards a small, forgotten wooden bench under an old oak tree.
Emma sat heavily, her arms hugging her center as if she could hold herself together. Gray clouds rolled above the field, and a cool wind whispered through the grass. She stared at the wide expanse before her—so open, so uncertain. Just like her life now.
Tears blurred her vision. "God," she whispered, "I’m so scared. I thought I heard You... I thought this was what You wanted for me. What now? Why would You lead me just to let me fall?"
The wind shifted at that moment, and a pair of robins darted low over the grass, their crimson breasts bright against the dull sky. They weren't worried. They weren’t even looking where they flew. They simply soared, trusting the unseen currents to carry them.
Through the simple grace of their flight, a warmth bloomed in Emma’s chest—a small, surprising peace. Maybe her plans hadn’t unfolded the way she had imagined. But maybe God's plan hadn't unraveled at all. Maybe it was unfolding, tenderly, one step at a time, beyond her understanding.
Her fear didn't vanish that instant. But it loosened its grip, just a little. Emma sat there a while longer, letting God's presence soak into her like the gentle spring rain soaking into the earth.
When she rose to walk home, the path wasn’t any clearer. But she knew—truly knew—that she wouldn’t be walking it alone. And in her heart, for the first time in days, bloomed a fragile, stubborn hope.
She smiled softly at the gray sky overhead, the storm shaking loose the fearful leaves of her heart, making room for something stronger to grow. Trust.
Maybe that was enough for today. Maybe that was always enough.
—
Bible Verses Supporting the Story:
Joshua 1:9 (NIV) — "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) — "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
John 14:27 (NIV) — "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Psalm 56:3 (NIV) — "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You."
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) — "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
The letter trembled in Emma’s hands, her breath caught somewhere between her ribs. She read the words again and again, as if somehow the outcome might change: “We regret to inform you…” It was the dream job she’d felt called to—her chance to finally step into the future she had prayed for.
Failure. Fear. Both wrapped their cold fingers around her heart.
The late afternoon sun slanted through the kitchen window, warming the worn oak table where she sat. Through the ache in her chest, a quiet thought tiptoed into her mind: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." It was Joshua 1:9—one of her mother’s favorite verses. Emma pressed her forehead to the cool wood, whispering the words aloud, desperate for them to be more than ink on a page.
But fear was a stubborn guest.
Several restless days passed. Emma went through the motions—work, errands, church—but inside, her heart was a hollow vessel, sloshing with doubt. One gloomy Sunday afternoon, burdened beyond what she could carry alone, she wandered out to the meadow behind her apartment complex. The spring air was thick with the smell of wet earth and budding grass. A narrow path wound towards a small, forgotten wooden bench under an old oak tree.
Emma sat heavily, her arms hugging her center as if she could hold herself together. Gray clouds rolled above the field, and a cool wind whispered through the grass. She stared at the wide expanse before her—so open, so uncertain. Just like her life now.
Tears blurred her vision. "God," she whispered, "I’m so scared. I thought I heard You... I thought this was what You wanted for me. What now? Why would You lead me just to let me fall?"
The wind shifted at that moment, and a pair of robins darted low over the grass, their crimson breasts bright against the dull sky. They weren't worried. They weren’t even looking where they flew. They simply soared, trusting the unseen currents to carry them.
Through the simple grace of their flight, a warmth bloomed in Emma’s chest—a small, surprising peace. Maybe her plans hadn’t unfolded the way she had imagined. But maybe God's plan hadn't unraveled at all. Maybe it was unfolding, tenderly, one step at a time, beyond her understanding.
Her fear didn't vanish that instant. But it loosened its grip, just a little. Emma sat there a while longer, letting God's presence soak into her like the gentle spring rain soaking into the earth.
When she rose to walk home, the path wasn’t any clearer. But she knew—truly knew—that she wouldn’t be walking it alone. And in her heart, for the first time in days, bloomed a fragile, stubborn hope.
She smiled softly at the gray sky overhead, the storm shaking loose the fearful leaves of her heart, making room for something stronger to grow. Trust.
Maybe that was enough for today. Maybe that was always enough.
—
Bible Verses Supporting the Story:
Joshua 1:9 (NIV) — "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) — "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
John 14:27 (NIV) — "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Psalm 56:3 (NIV) — "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You."
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) — "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
