“I may be the one giving this report,” Cole said as he took the pastor’s place behind the mic. “But I couldn’t have done what I have without the help of many others. So, before I go on, I’dlike to ask anyone who has helped with the clinic who is here to please stand.”
Ben stood, but Amelia stayed sitting since she didn’t think she’d been that involved.
“You too, Amelia,” Cole said from the podium. “And Miss Marian. You’ve both helped keep us organized, and we appreciate that.”
Amelia stood, using the seat in front of her to leverage herself up. Pain pulsed through her legs, but she willed herself to stand steady.
“I am thankful for each of you, and I want you to know that you have played a role in touching the lives of the young kids and teens who have been part of the clinics.”
After the recognition, Cole let them sit back down, and then he continued to give a report of what had transpired over the course of the past two weeks.
“We are thankful for the teens from the church who have brought their friends and have played a part in showing others the love of God. Please continue to pray for the upcoming clinics. We need to reach this next generation with the truth, especially in a world that is so filled with lies and darkness. Pray that we can offer them hope, regardless of their circumstances.”
Even though she was struggling with her own relationship with God, she was glad that the clinics were reaching the teens with more than just ways to improve their basketball skills.
“Thank you, Cole,” the pastor said after Cole had finished and returned to his seat. “And like Cole, I urge you to keep the upcoming clinics in your prayers.”
The pastor then turned his attention to his Bible. “Today, I want us to focus on a passage from James chapter five.Verse eleven says,Indeed,we count them blessed whoendure. You have heard ofthe perseverance of Job and seenthe endintended bythe Lord—thatthe Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
Amelia shifted in her seat, the verse’s words about perseverance striking a nerve. Job had lost everything, but God had restored it all, and more, to him in the end.
But what about her? Where was her restoration? Where was God's mercy in the constant pain that filled her days?
She wasn't Job. She was just Amelia, and some days maintaining her faith felt impossible when every morning brought fresh pain.
She glanced at Ben, who was listening intently, his Bible open on his lap. His profile was striking in the light streaming through the stained-glass windows. The same face she'd known and loved as a teenager, yet matured and refined by the years that had passed.
Ben shifted beside her, his shoulder brushing against hers momentarily. The brief contact pulled her from her thoughts, and she tried to refocus on the sermon.
The pastor was speaking about endurance through trials, drawing parallels between Job's suffering and the challenges Christians faced in the current day. His words washed over Amelia without fully penetrating her thoughts.
"Sometimes we wonder why God allows suffering in our lives," the pastor continued, his voice rising with conviction. "But we must remember that God sees the bigger picture. He is working for our good even when we don't understand His ways."
Amelia stared at her open Bible, her fingertips tracing the edge of the thin pages. The pastor's words felt hollow against thereality of her daily struggles. She wanted to believe God had a purpose in her pain, but she just couldn’t see it.
The pastor's words about purpose in suffering grated against the reality of her life. What possible purpose could there be in stripping away her career, her future, her joy?
What had been the purpose of her Olympic medals if they were now tucked away in a drawer, reminders of a life she could no longer live? What was the purpose of the pain that had stolen her dreams?
Ben's Bible rustled beside her as he turned a page. Amelia glanced at him, noting the slight furrow in his brow as he focused on the sermon. She wondered if he ever questioned God's plan, or if his faith remained steady through the ups and downs of his life.
When the service finally ended, Amelia glanced up to find Ben watching her, concern in his eyes. He leaned closer, his shoulder brushing hers again.
"You okay?" he murmured.
Amelia nodded slightly, not trusting herself to speak. The simple question threatened to unravel her careful composure. She'd become so practiced at pretending everything was fine that genuine concern sometimes felt more painful than helpful.
“Would you like to go grab some lunch?” Ben asked as people stood up all around them and began exiting the rows.
She was tempted—oh so tempted—but she shook her head. “I think I need to just lie low today. It looks like I’m going to have a busy week ahead, so I need to take my rest while I can.”
Ben nodded his understanding. “But if you change your mind and do want to hang out, we’ll be at the pool on the estate laterthis afternoon. You’re welcome to join us. Just let me know so I can alert the guards that you’re coming.”
Amelia knew she wouldn’t go, though she really wanted to. Back before her health had taken a downward turn, decisions had been made in the moment, without consideration for much else.
Now she had to look ahead, to see what might be coming up that she needed to take into consideration. She had to make sacrifices for the immediate future so that she didn’t completely debilitate herself.
It was exhausting and demoralizing. She wanted to be able to do everything. To be able to live her life the way she wanted. She used to train, go to school, and still have the energy to hang out with Benji.
