Free Song for Silas, A by Lori Wick Page A

her Bible open. When Amy rose from his side to play the closing hymn, Silas was appalled. What was the matter with him that he could not even take time from his own thoughts to hear God’s Word preached?
    For the most part, Silas and Amy were quiet on the ride back to the farm. Amy’s mind kept returning to the few words she had with Silas before going into the church. Her embarrassment kept her quiet not only for the ride home but for most of the day.
    Sunday was usually spent relaxing, so when Grant was settled back in his bed after the noon meal Amy went off to her room for the rest of the afternoon.
    Silas spent the day in his room also. He prayed and read his Bible for over two hours. For some reason his prayers were very concentrated on Amy, and by the time supper rolled around he couldn’t even think of her without feeling tears at the back of his eyes.
    The day passed so quietly that Silas couldn’t help wondering what Monday and the new week would bring.

17
     

     

    “Amy, you don’t have to do this.” Silas spoke the words for the third time, but the girl on the ground stood mute, holding the ladder in firm determination. Silas tried one more time, but she wouldn’t even look up at him.
    He sighed in exasperation. They had argued over breakfast, they had argued while milking, and then again as Silas climbed the ladder. Or rather, Silas had argued—Amy had just listened in stubborn silence after announcing that morning that she planned to hold the ladder while he painted.
    Silas started back down the ladder. Amy moved aside as he neared the bottom. He stood frowning at her, and Amy returned his look without apology. Silas was tempted to order her into the house, but he knew she wouldn’t go. It would also hurt her feelings, and that was something he would not do. With this thought in mind, his words to her were kind.
    “Amy, I’m not going to fall.”
    “That’s right, you’re not.” The firmness of her statement would have been more believable if her lower lip had not trembled.
    Something inside of Silas melted as he witnessed her fear and vulnerability. He grabbed her into his arms and gave her a fierce hug. When he set her from him, the hands holding her upper arms were tight. “Amy, I understand your fear, but I don’t believe God is going to let me fall from the ladder. Yourdad and I have talked. Even if you had been out here that day, you could not have stopped his fall. In fact, from what Grant described, he would have fallen on top of you had you been standing here.”
    Amy followed his finger as he pointed to the foot of the ladder. “Amy, you’re going to have to trust God in this even though it frightens you. If it makes you feel better to hold the ladder, that’s fine. But God alone has control over this.”
    Silas’ arms dropped to his side, and Amy turned to look out over the surrounding landscape. With the way she was chewing on her lower lip, Silas was sure she wasn’t seeing the land at all.
    Silas figured Amy must have come to some peace because she turned to Silas after a few minutes and said, “I’ll be out to check on how you’re coming a little later.”
    Once in the kitchen, Amy stood and tried to calm the pounding of her heart. Silas was right—she could do nothing outside. It did feel better to hold the ladder, but Amy knew if she did that she would be trusting in herself and not God to keep Silas safe.
    Almost of their own volition, Amy’s feet moved toward her father’s bedroom.
    Grant was awake and looking almost as though he had been waiting for her. The curtain moved slightly against the window, and Amy instantly knew he had been. With the window open slightly, he had heard her entire conversation with Silas.
    Grant patted the edge of the bed and Amy settled herself next to him. “Silas is right,” he said without preamble. “God sent him to us in our time of need and I trust that God will take care of him. When he first asked me about finishing the