Free When Dreams Cross by Terri Blackstock Page A

father could hear, that it brought him some pleasure, some relief.
    She picked up the Bible and opened it. Her father’s own notes were written in the margins of almost every page, verses were underlined, passages highlighted. Her eyes fell to the passage on the page the Bible had opened to, in the first chapter of James.
    “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
    She’d read the passage herself, many times, but tonight she saw her father’s notes winding around the margins of the page. She turned the Bible sideways and read what he’d written.
    “We should consider our personal trials and sorrows joy because of what they can allow God to do in us. If we let our trials break us, God can’t use us. But if we go in to those trials knowing that God is going to do something great with us, something for which he has to strengthen us in advance, it all comes into perspective.” Then he had jotted, “Romans 8:28.”
    She didn’t have to look that up. It was one of her favorite verses. Aloud, she whispered, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
    The words from the Bible, along with her father’s words, and his cross-reference, all combined to wash a wave of comfort over her. Tears filled her eyes, and she caught her breath on a sob. Was this the sign she had looked for? Had her father written that passage just for her, knowing that one day he couldn’t tell her himself?
    Probably not. But another of her fathers had known. God had led her to it tonight.
    “It’s hard to consider it joy,” she whispered to God as she read back over the passage. “But when I think it’s all for good, that there’s a reason, that you have a plan … it’s easier.” She dropped her forehead on the edge of the bed, and fell deeper into her tears as she closed her eyes and tried to pray. “Lord, help me. I don’t want to be alone, and I am. And nothing seems to be working out …”
    Another verse that had once been dear to her came to her mind. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
    That was it. She had not been seeking the kingdom of God first. It had come somewhere down her priority list, after the problems with the building of the park and staving off the government officials, but somewhere before relationships and recreation. Here she was so encumbered with busyness, most of which she called God’s work, and ignoring him completely. Closing her eyes, she whispered, “Forgive me, Lord.”
    She tried to list off the things she needed to repent of: pride, arrogance, neglect, apathy … “Daddy,” she whispered, “how does God keep his patience with me?”
    Her father didn’t respond, but it was okay, because the peace that came over her told her that her heavenly Father did. She got up, pressed a kiss on her father’s temple, and whispered, “Good night, Daddy.”
    Quietly, she slipped from his room, and headed back to her apartment on the grounds of Promised Land.

Chapter Eight
    J ustin had expected to run into Andi when he’d shown up at the Promised Land office building the next day, but she had been too obviously scarce. His disappointment surprised and angered him, for he didn’t want to spend every moment at work wishing she’d come through the door. That wasn’t productive. Besides, if she did, they would only fight, or have one of those stiff conversations packed full of double meanings and barbs that were left to hang. Was that what he wanted? To see her so she could get his adrenaline pumping?
    No, that wasn’t why. He knew that as clearly as he knew that his merger with her had been a great idea. But he wanted to admit neither.
    He had finally gotten