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Rachel
Something woke Rachel from a dead sleep. Her eyes popped open, and she looked around her dark bedroom. All was still and peaceful. Had she heard something? She strained her eyes and ears.
There was nothing.
Had she had a nightmare? Her mind raced, trying to get her bearings. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to calm down.
Zoe.
Looming in her mind’s eye, a picture of that young woman, staring at her. That empty stare she’d worn in church—why had that affected Rachel so strongly? “What is it about that girl, Father?” she whispered.
He didn’t answer.
She looked at the clock. Four in the morning. Way too early to get up. Probably too late to go back to sleep. And though she was still tired—she was always tired nowadays—she was no longer sleepy. She didn’t know what had awoken her, but it had done its job efficiently.
She sat up and swung her long legs out of bed. Might as well make some coffee. But she didn’t. She couldn’t get that image of Zoe out of her head.
“Father,” she said again, this time with more zeal, “you have put this child on my heart for a reason. I think it’s time you let me at her. I don’t know how you’re going to do it because I don’t want to step on Esther’s toes.” She loved Esther so deeply. Like a sister. “I don’t want to do anything to make Esther think that I’m criticizing her parenting or her grandparenting, but I really think I can help, Lord. There’s no reason for a child that strong to be that sad. No reason for a child that loved to be that sad. Please, Father, let me at her.” She paused, thinking of what else she needed to ask.
Nothing came to mind.
“As always, I ask for good health. Give me a good day. And please, let me at her. Orchestrate it. Get it done. Give me a chance.”
She opened her eyes. There was no answer. No audible answer. No visual answer. No answer in her heart. And yet, she had a strange peace about it. If God wanted her to help Zoe, he would make it happen.
Smiling, she slid her slippered feet toward the coffee pot. She couldn’t wait for that first sip to hit her taste buds. She knew she needed to quit the caffeine, but today was not that day.
