“I’m trying not to be, but I can’t help it. I’m afraid for the children and Adam. He wants to protect everyone but not himself, and I’m scared something might happen to him.”
Cora’s forehead wrinkled in a frown. “I’m worried, too, my dear. But do you know what I do when I find myself in a hopeless situation?”
Olivia shook her head.
“I take it to the Lord in prayers.” Cora rose and took Olivia’s hands. “Let us pray, Olivia.”
“Heavenly Father, You said in Your word that where two or three are gathered in Your name, You’re there in their midst. You also said we should ask and we shall receive, seek and shall find, knock and the door will be opened unto us. We come to You today asking for Your help concerning the situation with Gabe Winters. Father, the heart of kings are in Your hands and You turn them whichever way You want. We pray You touch the heart of Gabe to accept he has done wrong and he should seek repentance. We pray You touch his heart so he won’t devise more evil means of hurting people. We pray for everyone involved in this case, particularly Adam. Protect them, Lord. Let Your shield be around them.”
A smile crossed Olivia’s face as Cora continued praying. She felt so much peace in her heart, she knew worrying was a waste of time.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean on not your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.
She should have remembered that bible passage and held on strongly to it.
After the prayers, Olivia felt better. She thanked Cora and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with her. Cora later left to see if she could get eggs from the hens to make pies in the afternoon.
Olivia was shaving soap into a basin of water when Adam walked into the kitchen. Her heart instantly flipped at the sight of him.
However, a frown crossed her face when she saw that he wasn’t smiling as usual. His hair was mused as if he had been running his fingers through it.
“Good morning, Olivia.”
Olivia turned to give him a small smile. “Good morning, Adam.”
“I trust your night was peaceful,” Adam said as he walked into the kitchen.
Olivia nodded. “Would you like some breakfast?”
He shook his head and ran a hand across his jaw. Olivia’s heart clenched as she noted that Adam was terribly worried. For him not to make an effort in hiding it, showed how troubled he was.
“Adam,” she softly called. He lifted his head to stare at her with seemingly unseeing eyes. “Could you please take a seat? I’d like to talk to you.”
His brows shot up. “Is there a problem?”
Olivia pulled out a chair and invited him to sit beside her. Adam also drew out a chair and sat with a frown on his face.
“Adam, I know you’re worried about this case,” Olivia gently began. She was aware that Adam might either ignore her or change the topic as he was wont to do when she talked about God, but she needed him to hear what she had to say.
“Olivia—”
“Please listen to me, Adam. I know this might not be what you want to hear now, but it’s what I’ve done and now I’m at peace. You need to pray and trust in God that He will turn things around.”
Adam’s face instantly became impassive, and he leaned back against the chair. Undeterred, Olivia continued.
“The good Lord said all those who are labored and overburdened should come to Him and He will give them rest. Adam, you have done your best. This is the time to sit back and allow God to do the rest. He said He will never leave us nor forsake us. He’s our ever-present help in times of trouble, our shield, and our buckler. It is best to go on our knees in prayers, casting all of our burdens upon the Lord.”
Adam’s expressionless demeanor wasn’t encouraging, but Olivia went on, “In Psalm 92 verse 11 says—”
Adam abruptly pushed back his chair and rose with a rueful smile on his face.
“I’m sorry, Olivia. I have to get to the office to see if someone from Virginia has replied. I just came to see how you’re doing. I’m glad you’re doing well, given the situation. I’ll see you later. Please give my love to Cora.”
Olivia felt as if she had slapped her as she watched Adam stroll out of the kitchen with purposeful strides. It ought not to surprise her as this was his usual reaction whenever she talked about God. But this was the first time he had been blatantly rude about it. All she could do was pray for him as it was now clear to her that Adam didn’t care for the things of the Lord. But where did that leave her? Did she have the strength and willpower to get him converted? Adam was so stubborn, she didn’t know if he would listen to her.
Olivia didn’t know how long she sat there thinking about Adam when Cora walked into the kitchen.
“Did I just miss Adam?” Cora questioned as she placed the small basket of eggs on the table. Her forehead puckered in a frown. “Is anything amiss?”
