Matthew 5:30 I hadn't realized how much the whole thing had taken out of me until Levi took away my bonds and let me rest. It was like my body had pulled energy from everywhere it could to spend me in Levi's hand. And... all over my shirt. I was beyond embarrassed, but Levi was casual as he helped me strip and used the garment to clean me off. After he'd t...
Prologue I didn't know him. I think that's what stuck out to me the most, more than the mane of dark hair that fell around his shoulders, more than the tall boots, or the careworn jacket of black leather, or the chains that criss-crossed its lapel. These things certainly stood out to most people who passed him, surely, so prominent against the muted backgr...
Proverbs 24:26 I can't be here. I can't do this. I opened my mouth and tried to speak, but it was like the air wouldn't catch my vocal cords. Carefully, I shifted myself up as if to test whether Levi would pin me back down... But he didn't move. I could have wormed out from under him without a fight, and he'd leave me alone anyway if I just said the word,...
You could tell how well Pastor Len thought his sermon went that day by how high he bounced on his feet during the benediction. If he thought it didn't go over well, he would only sort of pop up a tiny bit or rock on his heels. If he thought it was enjoyable, then he would hop up on the balls of his feet, hands outstretched and smile unrestrained, as he spoke...
"So that's your house, huh?" "Huh?" I had found myself drifting in thought and now snapped my head up, looking at Levi. I apparently hadn't had to give him directions to the church from my place. He seemed to be finding his way just fine on his own. "Oh... Yeah. Well, it's my parents' house." Levi nodded, humming in affirmation. "You're younger than I thou...
1 John 1:6 Even hours after I came home, I didn't know why I had run. I got home about the same time as my family, and had to convince them I'd been in church all along - of course I had, they just hadn't seen me in the back row. It was probably the first time in years I'd skipped out on church, and that just made the whole thing feel so much worse. I poli...
The following morning, I was alone in the house. I actually didn't have much time at home without anyone around. I had morning classes four days a week, and although my dad and brother had work and school respectively most of the week, my mom only worked part time, and she was nosy. So even with the house empty, I still felt the need to put music on and loc...
1 Timothy 5:22 That night, I lay in bed unable to sleep. Everything that had happened that day felt... unreal. But I knew it had happened. I could still feel Levi's hands on my skin, his arms around my body, a phantom sensation... Like when you can still feel the waves hours after leaving the ocean. My mouth felt strangely numb. My mind was swimming. I'd...
Psalm 55:12-13 I wasn't sure exactly what it was about that Easter Sunday, but I felt blissfully at peace with myself. Something about the combination of beautiful weather, the morning service, the promise of a family brunch, and the familiar scent of white lilies in colorful foil-wrapped pots - which it was my job to pick out from behind the altar every ye...
Job 30:16-19 I have a momentary edge on my opponent when I first step onto the court. It doesn't normally take my opponent very long to adapt to the pattern, but that little bit of confusion as they try to figure out where my shots are coming from can make all the difference. My first exhibition of the season was the first Saturday in March. Day eight....