Page 79 of Echoes of Eternity

“Wait, what about Bill?”

“He has a four-plex over by the gas station on Cedar Street. But he would never help us out with this.”

“Actually . . .” Ryan stood from the couch as he smiled. “I think he might. I’ll explain on the way.”

Explaining the conversation he had with Bill, Jason was excited.

“God is really on the move! Sometimes it just feels like He is doing something amazing.” Jason’s words came as they slowed down near Bill’s house.

Ryan looked over at him and shook his head. “Not sometimes, all the time. Romans 8:28. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

“Look at you, memorizing Bible verses, Bro.”

Laughing, Ryan smiled. “I’ve known that one for a while.”

Though the conversation with Bill went well the other day at the grill, Ryan would be lying if he wasn’t slightly worried about the request. He prayed all the way over to Bill’s house that day with his brother.

Bill immediately invited them inside to sit down and provided them both with cups of coffee. Ryan and Jason detailed the current state of Linda and Tiffany’s life in Spokane and their plan to help her out.

“Absolutely she can move into one of the rentals I own. In fact, I just had a tenant give notice today. Let me take it another step for you all.” Bill opened his arms up and smiled from ear-to-ear. “She doesn’t need to worry about rent. Not as soon as she gets here, anyway. In fact, I’ll give her the first three months free and then charge her a discount so she’s not struggling!”

“Wow. You’d do that?” Jason shook his head, confusion written all over his expression. “I understand you had an experience, but I don’t understand this kindness.”

Bill looked over at Ryan, then back at Jason. “God has shown me the ticket to joy in this life lately, and it starts with giving as much as possible. To God be the glory!”

Folding laundry in her bedroom, Emily hummed along with the radio she had playing in the background.

Elizabeth walked in. “Hey. Is it okay if Tanya picks me up so we can go over to the church? The youth group is cleaning up people’s yards today.”

“People’s yards?” Emily was confused.

“It’s like for the older people in the church, I guess.”

Elizabeth wasn’t one to do any sort of physical labor, but Emily was glad to hear she was wanting to get involved. “Of course you can go. What time will you be back?”

Shrugging a shoulder, she said, “I’m not sure, but I can text you when I find out?”

“Sounds good. Have fun.”

After getting household chores completed and the boys fed with lunch, the three of them ventured over to the Cedarwood Creek park. The boys darted to go play with the other kids on the playground while Emily took a seat with Sarah on the bench. Relaxing as she recalled her visits with her outside the school on a similar bench, Emily was glad to be in the company of her friend once again.

“Well, you were right.”

“I know.” Sarah laughed and shook her head as she playfully tapped her arm. “Whatcha talking about, girl?”

“The last day of school, you told me how God had to break you down to nothing and get you to the end of yourself before He could really do the work He needed to do. That was my summer in a nutshell.”

“I said that?” Sarah looked pleased with herself. “Sounds really smart of me to say. Just kidding. I know what you’re talking about, and it is what God has to do with His people. I don’t think He brings the pain, but He allows it and then uses it for His own purposes to shape us more like His Son.”

“Amen. I thought I was going crazy, but God was just peeling the layers of my life away so I relied on Him more.” Wiping a few stray tears, she smiled and looked at her friend. “Thank you for being there for me. Even when I was in California, you answered your phone, and that means a lot to me.”

“No problem. That’s what friends are for.” Tilting her head slowly, Sarah’s lips curled into a smile. “Speaking of helping your friends . . . what are your teaching plans?”

Emily shrugged and sighed. “I’m not sure. Probably going to apply to that alternative school across town.”

“Yeah? What about coming back to our school?”

She laughed and shook her head. “I couldn’t ask that after I filled out a form saying I wouldn’t be back.”