"use strict"; (self["webpackChunkelementorFrontend"] = self["webpackChunkelementorFrontend"] || []).push([["floating-bars"],{ /***/ "../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/floating-bars/frontend/classes/floatin-bar-dom.js": /*!***********************************************************************************************!*\ !*** ../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/floating-bars/frontend/classes/floatin-bar-dom.js ***! \***********************************************************************************************/ /***/ ((__unused_webpack_module, exports) => { Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", ({ value: true })); exports["default"] = void 0; class FloatingBarDomHelper { constructor($element) { this.$element = $element; } maybeMoveToTop() { const el = this.$element[0]; const widget = el.querySelector('.e-floating-bars'); if (elementorFrontend.isEditMode()) { widget.classList.add('is-sticky'); return; } if (el.dataset.widget_type.startsWith('floating-bars') && widget.classList.contains('has-vertical-position-top') && !widget.classList.contains('is-sticky')) { const wpAdminBar = document.getElementById('wpadminbar'); const elementToInsert = el.closest('.elementor'); if (wpAdminBar) { wpAdminBar.after(elementToInsert); } else { document.body.prepend(elementToInsert); } } } } exports["default"] = FloatingBarDomHelper; /***/ }), /***/ "../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/floating-bars/frontend/handlers/floating-bars.js": /*!**********************************************************************************************!*\ !*** ../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/floating-bars/frontend/handlers/floating-bars.js ***! \**********************************************************************************************/ /***/ ((__unused_webpack_module, exports, __webpack_require__) => { var _interopRequireDefault = __webpack_require__(/*! @babel/runtime/helpers/interopRequireDefault */ "../node_modules/@babel/runtime/helpers/interopRequireDefault.js"); Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", ({ value: true })); exports["default"] = void 0; __webpack_require__(/*! core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.constructor.js */ "../node_modules/core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.constructor.js"); __webpack_require__(/*! core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.for-each.js */ "../node_modules/core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.for-each.js"); var _base = _interopRequireDefault(__webpack_require__(/*! elementor-frontend/handlers/base */ "../assets/dev/js/frontend/handlers/base.js")); var _floatinBarDom = _interopRequireDefault(__webpack_require__(/*! ../classes/floatin-bar-dom */ "../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/floating-bars/frontend/classes/floatin-bar-dom.js")); var _clickTracking = _interopRequireDefault(__webpack_require__(/*! ../../../shared/frontend/handlers/click-tracking */ "../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/shared/frontend/handlers/click-tracking.js")); class FloatingBarsHandler extends _base.default { getDefaultSettings() { return { selectors: { main: '.e-floating-bars', closeButton: '.e-floating-bars__close-button', ctaButton: '.e-floating-bars__cta-button' }, constants: { ctaEntranceAnimation: 'style_cta_button_animation', ctaEntranceAnimationDelay: 'style_cta_button_animation_delay', hasEntranceAnimation: 'has-entrance-animation', visible: 'visible', isSticky: 'is-sticky', hasVerticalPositionTop: 'has-vertical-position-top', hasVerticalPositionBottom: 'has-vertical-position-bottom', isHidden: 'is-hidden', animated: 'animated' } }; } getDefaultElements() { const selectors = this.getSettings('selectors'); return { main: this.$element[0].querySelector(selectors.main), mainAll: this.$element[0].querySelectorAll(selectors.main), closeButton: this.$element[0].querySelector(selectors.closeButton), ctaButton: this.$element[0].querySelector(selectors.ctaButton) }; } onElementChange(property) { const changedProperties = ['advanced_vertical_position']; if (changedProperties.includes(property)) { this.initDefaultState(); } } getResponsiveSetting(controlName) { const currentDevice = elementorFrontend.getCurrentDeviceMode(); return elementorFrontend.utils.controls.getResponsiveControlValue(this.getElementSettings(), controlName, '', currentDevice); } bindEvents() { if (this.elements.closeButton) { this.elements.closeButton.addEventListener('click', this.closeFloatingBar.bind(this)); } if (this.elements.ctaButton) { this.elements.ctaButton.addEventListener('animationend', this.handleAnimationEnd.bind(this)); } if (this.elements.main) { window.addEventListener('keyup', this.onDocumentKeyup.bind(this)); } if (this.hasStickyElements()) { window.addEventListener('resize', this.handleStickyElements.bind(this)); } } isStickyTop() { const { isSticky, hasVerticalPositionTop } = this.getSettings('constants'); return this.elements.main.classList.contains(isSticky) && this.elements.main.classList.contains(hasVerticalPositionTop); } isStickyBottom() { const { isSticky, hasVerticalPositionBottom } = this.getSettings('constants'); return this.elements.main.classList.contains(isSticky) && this.elements.main.classList.contains(hasVerticalPositionBottom); } hasStickyElements() { const stickyElements = document.querySelectorAll('.elementor-sticky'); return stickyElements.length > 0; } focusOnLoad() { this.elements.main.setAttribute('tabindex', '0'); this.elements.main.focus({ focusVisible: true }); } applyBodyPadding() { const mainHeight = this.elements.main.offsetHeight; document.body.style.paddingTop = `${mainHeight}px`; } removeBodyPadding() { document.body.style.paddingTop = '0'; } handleWPAdminBar() { const wpAdminBar = elementorFrontend.elements.$wpAdminBar; if (wpAdminBar.length) { this.elements.main.style.top = `${wpAdminBar.height()}px`; } } handleStickyElements() { const mainHeight = this.elements.main.offsetHeight; const wpAdminBar = elementorFrontend.elements.$wpAdminBar; const stickyElements = document.querySelectorAll('.elementor-sticky:not(.elementor-sticky__spacer)'); if (0 === stickyElements.length) { return; } stickyElements.forEach(stickyElement => { const dataSettings = stickyElement.getAttribute('data-settings'); const stickyPosition = JSON.parse(dataSettings)?.sticky; const isTop = '0px' === stickyElement.style.top || 'top' === stickyPosition; const isBottom = '0px' === stickyElement.style.bottom || 'bottom' === stickyPosition; if (this.isStickyTop() && isTop) { if (wpAdminBar.length) { stickyElement.style.top = `${mainHeight + wpAdminBar.height()}px`; } else { stickyElement.style.top = `${mainHeight}px`; } } else if (this.isStickyBottom() && isBottom) { stickyElement.style.bottom = `${mainHeight}px`; } if (elementorFrontend.isEditMode()) { if (isTop) { stickyElement.style.top = this.isStickyTop() ? `${mainHeight}px` : '0px'; } else if (isBottom) { stickyElement.style.bottom = this.isStickyBottom() ? `${mainHeight}px` : '0px'; } } }); document.querySelectorAll('.elementor-sticky__spacer').forEach(stickySpacer => { const dataSettings = stickySpacer.getAttribute('data-settings'); const stickyPosition = JSON.parse(dataSettings)?.sticky; const isTop = '0px' === stickySpacer.style.top || 'top' === stickyPosition; if (this.isStickyTop() && isTop) { stickySpacer.style.marginBottom = `${mainHeight}px`; } }); } closeFloatingBar() { const { isHidden } = this.getSettings('constants'); if (!elementorFrontend.isEditMode()) { this.elements.main.classList.add(isHidden); if (this.hasStickyElements()) { this.handleStickyElements(); } else if (this.isStickyTop()) { this.removeBodyPadding(); } } } initEntranceAnimation() { const { animated, ctaEntranceAnimation, ctaEntranceAnimationDelay, hasEntranceAnimation } = this.getSettings('constants'); const entranceAnimationClass = this.getResponsiveSetting(ctaEntranceAnimation); const entranceAnimationDelay = this.getResponsiveSetting(ctaEntranceAnimationDelay) || 0; const setTimeoutDelay = entranceAnimationDelay + 500; this.elements.ctaButton.classList.add(animated); this.elements.ctaButton.classList.add(entranceAnimationClass); setTimeout(() => { this.elements.ctaButton.classList.remove(hasEntranceAnimation); }, setTimeoutDelay); } handleAnimationEnd() { this.removeEntranceAnimationClasses(); this.focusOnLoad(); } removeEntranceAnimationClasses() { if (!this.elements.ctaButton) { return; } const { animated, ctaEntranceAnimation, visible } = this.getSettings('constants'); const entranceAnimationClass = this.getResponsiveSetting(ctaEntranceAnimation); this.elements.ctaButton.classList.remove(animated); this.elements.ctaButton.classList.remove(entranceAnimationClass); this.elements.ctaButton.classList.add(visible); } onDocumentKeyup(event) { // Bail if not ESC key if (event.keyCode !== 27 || !this.elements.main) { return; } /* eslint-disable @wordpress/no-global-active-element */ if (this.elements.main.contains(document.activeElement)) { this.closeFloatingBar(); } /* eslint-enable @wordpress/no-global-active-element */ } initDefaultState() { const { hasEntranceAnimation } = this.getSettings('constants'); if (this.isStickyTop()) { this.handleWPAdminBar(); } if (this.hasStickyElements()) { this.handleStickyElements(); } else if (this.isStickyTop()) { this.applyBodyPadding(); } if (this.elements.main && !this.elements.ctaButton.classList.contains(hasEntranceAnimation) && !elementorFrontend.isEditMode()) { this.focusOnLoad(); } } setupInnerContainer() { this.elements.main.closest('.e-con-inner').classList.add('e-con-inner--floating-bars'); this.elements.main.closest('.e-con').classList.add('e-con--floating-bars'); } onInit(...args) { const { hasEntranceAnimation } = this.getSettings('constants'); super.onInit(...args); this.clickTrackingHandler = new _clickTracking.default({ $element: this.$element }); const domHelper = new _floatinBarDom.default(this.$element); domHelper.maybeMoveToTop(); if (this.elements.ctaButton && this.elements.ctaButton.classList.contains(hasEntranceAnimation)) { this.initEntranceAnimation(); } this.initDefaultState(); this.setupInnerContainer(); } } exports["default"] = FloatingBarsHandler; /***/ }), /***/ "../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/shared/frontend/handlers/click-tracking.js": /*!****************************************************************************************!*\ !*** ../modules/floating-buttons/assets/js/shared/frontend/handlers/click-tracking.js ***! \****************************************************************************************/ /***/ ((__unused_webpack_module, exports, __webpack_require__) => { var _interopRequireDefault = __webpack_require__(/*! @babel/runtime/helpers/interopRequireDefault */ "../node_modules/@babel/runtime/helpers/interopRequireDefault.js"); Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", ({ value: true })); exports["default"] = void 0; __webpack_require__(/*! core-js/modules/es.array.push.js */ "../node_modules/core-js/modules/es.array.push.js"); __webpack_require__(/*! core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.constructor.js */ "../node_modules/core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.constructor.js"); __webpack_require__(/*! core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.for-each.js */ "../node_modules/core-js/modules/esnext.iterator.for-each.js"); var _base = _interopRequireDefault(__webpack_require__(/*! elementor-frontend/handlers/base */ "../assets/dev/js/frontend/handlers/base.js")); class ClickTrackingHandler extends _base.default { clicks = []; getDefaultSettings() { return { selectors: { contentWrapper: '.e-contact-buttons__content-wrapper', contactButtonCore: '.e-contact-buttons__send-button', contentWrapperFloatingBars: '.e-floating-bars', floatingBarCTAButton: '.e-floating-bars__cta-button', elementorWrapper: '[data-elementor-type="floating-buttons"]' } }; } getDefaultElements() { const selectors = this.getSettings('selectors'); return { contentWrapper: this.$element[0].querySelector(selectors.contentWrapper), contentWrapperFloatingBars: this.$element[0].querySelector(selectors.contentWrapperFloatingBars) }; } bindEvents() { if (this.elements.contentWrapper) { this.elements.contentWrapper.addEventListener('click', this.onChatButtonTrackClick.bind(this)); } if (this.elements.contentWrapperFloatingBars) { this.elements.contentWrapperFloatingBars.addEventListener('click', this.onChatButtonTrackClick.bind(this)); } window.addEventListener('beforeunload', () => { if (this.clicks.length > 0) { this.sendClicks(); } }); } onChatButtonTrackClick(event) { const targetElement = event.target || event.srcElement; const selectors = this.getSettings('selectors'); if (targetElement.matches(selectors.contactButtonCore) || targetElement.closest(selectors.contactButtonCore) || targetElement.matches(selectors.floatingBarCTAButton) || targetElement.closest(selectors.floatingBarCTAButton)) { this.getDocumentIdAndTrack(targetElement, selectors); } } getDocumentIdAndTrack(targetElement, selectors) { const documentId = targetElement.closest(selectors.elementorWrapper).dataset.elementorId; this.trackClick(documentId); } trackClick(documentId) { if (!documentId) { return; } this.clicks.push(documentId); if (this.clicks.length >= 10) { this.sendClicks(); } } sendClicks() { const formData = new FormData(); formData.append('action', 'elementor_send_clicks'); formData.append('_nonce', elementorFrontendConfig?.nonces?.floatingButtonsClickTracking); this.clicks.forEach(documentId => formData.append('clicks[]', documentId)); fetch(elementorFrontendConfig?.urls?.ajaxurl, { method: 'POST', body: formData }).then(() => { this.clicks = []; }); } } exports["default"] = ClickTrackingHandler; /***/ }) }]); //# sourceMappingURL=floating-bars.a6e6a043444b62f64f82.bundle.js.map Dear Diary series – Journeying In Faith https://journeyinginfaith.com Christian blog Sat, 29 Aug 2026 09:49:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://journeyinginfaith.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cropped-transparent-logo-scaled-1-32x32.png Dear Diary series – Journeying In Faith https://journeyinginfaith.com 32 32 Learning To Pause (2) https://journeyinginfaith.com/dear-diary-learning-to-pause-2/ https://journeyinginfaith.com/dear-diary-learning-to-pause-2/#respond Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:34:46 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2331

What happened? I wondered.

The doctor walked in and smiled.
“You’re finally awake. You collapsed from exhaustion. Your body completely shut down—your energy source dried out.”

That’s when it hit me.

I had been feeding everyone…
except myself.

Dear Diary, I finally understand.

I was Martha—busy, devoted, serving with the best intentions.
But I forgot to be Mary.

Martha was hospitable. She loved having everything put together. Jesus was coming, and with Him would likely be guests—curious ones—wanting to see Lazarus, the man who had come back to life.

Oh, the house couldn’t look unkept. Everything had to be in order. Guests had to be happy, well served, and warmly received. I’m sure Mary would have helped too—but she wasn’t fussing over details the way Martha was. Jesus was here. And for Mary, everything else could wait.

Martha did nothing wrong. Acts of service are a love language for many people. It would have been embarrassing for her to welcome guests into a chaotic home. How would Jesus feel? How would Lazarus feel? People had come from near and far to see them—surely things had to be done properly.

She was doing it for Jesus.
She was doing it for Lazarus.

And yet—

Martha, Martha, Jesus said, you are worried and distracted by many things. But one thing is needed.

I see this far too often.

People serving endlessly in church—at the expense of their families, their careers, even their personal growth in God. I’ve heard the phrases whispered too many times:
“She’s supposed to be a Christian, but her behavior is worse than an unbeliever.”

Not because she didn’t love God—but because she never gave herself permission to grow in Him.

I had busied myself with good work. Meaningful work. Even ministry work.
But I neglected the secret place.
I forgot to sit at His feet—to listen, to learn, to grow.
I forgot that His presence is my portion.

Jesus is the true source.
He said, I am the vine; you are the branches.
 Everything I need to grow and flourish flows from Him.

His Word is our food.
He said, Man shall not live by bread alone.
 Not that bread is bad—but bread alone is the problem.

Service is good.
But service alone?
That’s draining.

No one can keep pouring from an empty vessel.

If our righteousness were earned by works alone, relentless striving would make sense—but grace tells a different story.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8–9).

I see it too often—ministers who labor tirelessly, only to die young because they never learned how to rest or care for themselves.

Even Elijah—after doing everything God asked of him—found himself running from Jezebel, hiding in the mountains. I wonder… did he eat?

There is a level of exhaustion where tears come without warning. Where despair settles suddenly. I think Elijah was there.

No wonder when the angel visited him, he didn’t bring a new assignment or a prophetic word.
He brought food.

I imagine God thinking, “Poor Elijah. He has driven himself too hard.”
 Let him eat. Let his strength return. There is still a journey ahead.

The second time the angel brought food, Elijah went in the strength of the meal forty days and forty nights without another meal.

I think God was speaking to his heart: You can rest in Me.

But Elijah had driven himself so relentlessly that all he wanted was an escape. And in mercy, God met him where he was.

Serving God is beautiful. Watching lives change is a gift.
But He never called us to give endlessly without being replenished.

Even the branches that bear fruit are pruned—not punished—so they can bear more.

Today, I’m learning to pause.
To sit.
To eat from the Source before serving the table.

Because success without sustenance will always lead to collapse.

And one thing,
only one thing,
is truly needed.

]]> https://journeyinginfaith.com/dear-diary-learning-to-pause-2/feed/ 0 Learning To Pause (1) https://journeyinginfaith.com/dear-diary-learning-to-pause/ https://journeyinginfaith.com/dear-diary-learning-to-pause/#respond Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:24:26 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2328 Dear Diary,

Eager!
Anxious!!
Excited!!!

Those were the three words beating in my chest this morning.

Today was the day.
The day I had prepared for, labored for, lost sleep over. The grand opening of D’ Vine Restaurant. Guests streamed in—one after another—laughter filling the room, heels clicking on polished floors, children tugging at their parents’ hands.

And there it was.
My masterpiece.

I called it “The Heritage”—a dish passed down through generations, perfected with patience, love, and fire. I was sure they would love it. I needed them to love it.

They did.

As the waiters served families, dressed in elegance and expectation, I caught their smiles after the first bite—the kind that tells you your hard work wasn’t in vain. For a moment, I stood still, almost in disbelief. This was happening.

Then I heard it.

“Did you eat?”

A soft whisper. Easy to ignore.

Who has time for food on a day like this?

I hadn’t even stocked my fridge, yet I had poured everything into this place. I watched each plate leave the kitchen. I watched faces light up after the first bite. Satisfaction. Approval. Success.

“That was great,” I whispered to myself, smiling.

When the doors finally closed, I sat alone in the quiet.

“Maybe you should eat now.”

“Oh no, no,” I said aloud. Today was record-breaking. Tomorrow had to be even better.

And so the cycle began.

Each day, I pushed harder. Each night, I planned more. Each time the whisper came, I silenced it with the same excuse: Just one more day.

Until my body made the decision for me.

One afternoon, during the lunch rush, as I moved from table to table—checking plates, asking questions, making sure everyone was satisfied—my vision began to spin.

I tried to shake it off.

We were closing soon… or so I thought.

The next thing I remember, I was waking up to white walls, beeping machines, and an IV in my arm.

]]> https://journeyinginfaith.com/dear-diary-learning-to-pause/feed/ 0 The Journey (2) https://journeyinginfaith.com/the-journey-part-2/ https://journeyinginfaith.com/the-journey-part-2/#respond Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:13:58 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2324 You smiled and threw your head back—I knew again that you had heard every word in

my thoughts. I turned back to look at the demons, they glared at me with their reddish-purplish eyes,

staring me down from head to toe. Every hair on my body stood up. How could I chase

these things away?

You looked at me again and said, “I have given you the authority to.”

I looked back at you and whispered, “I can’t. They’re too powerful.”

“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to Me,” you said.

I didn’t fully understand what you meant but I didn’t probe further.

As I continued walking with you, I realized the basic truths; you were Jesus, the Son of

God, in you I live and have my being, and that you have overcome the world. Some of

the words about you were easier to believe, while I struggled still with others. I reflected

on these words you had been telling me, the ones I could believe and my confidence

began to grow.

I decided to take a leap of faith to get rid of these demons once and for all. I took a bold

step forward from where Jesus and I were sitting. I could feel the demons getting closer.

My body began trembling and the hair on my body tingled. I was going to back down

but I kept remembering your words I had been meditating on and suddenly, my hands

felt heavy. 

I looked at my right hand and saw a sword. My eyes widened. When did you give me this? I asked. Jesus smiled “You’ve always had it but couldn’t see it, but now that the veil is off you can”. 

What veil? who put it there?” I asked while looking around for it.

“You put it there by your lack of faith. But by constantly hearing my word and meditating

on it, you were able to pull it off.

“Oh nice”, I said while weighing the sword on my hands.

Fear launched at me, choking me and making it hard to breathe.

I began trembling more. Fear hissed. Despair circled and kicked me on my knees till I fell. ‘You are worthless, you think you can wield that sword at us, pathetic. 

I tried to raise my hand, but fear slapped me really hard. Despair jumped at me, kicking me multiple times. Depression circled around my head and whispered “give up”.

As if like an obedient child, I gave up and the sword fell off my hands. The demons

hissed and left. I began to cry, first, small sobs, then full tears. I scratched myself, pulled my hair, hit the wall hard till my fists started hurting. I couldn’t see Jesus. Where was He when I needed Him the most. 

I wept bitterly till I had no more life in me. Then I decided I was done.

I would not take another day of this. The demon did torment me, but He has not

delivered my life to them. I was pressed but not crushed, struck down but not destroyed

because he has not delivered my life to death. I raised my head up with a determination

like never before. Then I heard Jesus say “When you become restless you will break

the yoke from off your neck” I didn’t want to ask where he was but I understood it may

have been a veil again. This was a fight he wanted me to do through the authority or

resources he had provided. 

So I picked the sword and I said teach me how to fight. Jesus smiled and suddenly, I felt like someone was holding my hand. And I felt like I was being moved, gently swaying on how to use the sword and where to attack. 

Bible verses kept coming to my head. “You have given me the necks of my enemies such

that I destroy those who hate me”. “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 

I kept repeating the verses, kicking, jumping high, piercing the air with my sword.

The showdown was coming. I could feel it.

I saw the demons peeking in—quiet, calculated. The whispers came softly, almost convincingly:
Did God really say that?
 Those promises are for more mature Christians, not you.
 You think that’s enough to stand against us?

For a moment, the doubt lingered—but only for a moment.

I knew this was a defining hour. I wasn’t running this time. I was facing it head-on.

And then I asked myself—what really is the worst that could happen? I couldn’t see anything different from what had already happened. 

I would stand.
I would believe.
And I would trust that what God spoke was still true—even here.

]]> https://journeyinginfaith.com/the-journey-part-2/feed/ 0 The Journey – (1) https://journeyinginfaith.com/the-journey-fiction-part-1/ https://journeyinginfaith.com/the-journey-fiction-part-1/#respond Mon, 01 Dec 2025 21:32:58 +0000 https://journeyinginfaith.com/?p=2321 I was shaking profusely in my room, as demons tormented my thought and body. Out of desperation, I prayed, pleading for God to make it stop.  Suddenly, I saw a bright light, like a burning star, entering my room. As it drew close, it grew brighter. I began to tremble uncontrollably. I was already seated with my back against the wall, but I wished the wall would open and let me in as I scratched and knocked nervously. I couldn’t speak.

The light shone so intensely as it came through my open windows that I shut my eyes tight, believing I was about to cross over, weather heaven or hell, I wasn’t sure.

Then I heard a whisper “Hi”. I opened my eyes, I saw you—reaching down to me.

Your entire being radiated light, like the sun, though now softer and more tolerable than before. Your feet burned like fire—and so did your eyes. Yet in the depths of your eyes, I felt peace. It drew me in. I somehow knew that if I took your hand, I would be forever saved.

Who are you? I thought, too shaken to speak. Can I trust you? Why have you come?

No one had sensed my anguish or helped me. So why you? Why now?

You looked like a perfect work of art—pure, flawless, carved to perfection. But I? I looked unkempt, abandoned, dirty in my sins. Can I trust you? I wondered again. Would you leave when things get hard, like everyone else?

As if reading my thoughts, you smiled. The smile reached your eyes, and the fire burned brighter. You looked as though you knew exactly what I meant—and that you were in this with me.

You sat beside me, gently touched my cheek as brushing a tear, then drew me into an embrace. You didn’t have to say anything—your presence was enough. Time seemed to stand still as we stayed like that. It felt like we had forever.

When I finally raised my head, you looked at me with those fiery eyes and said,
“No, I will not leave you nor forsake you.”

That was when I realized how filthy I was. I could stain your perfect brightness with my darkness—but you didn’t care. You stood and helped me to my feet.

Immediately, fear, despair, shame, and negative thoughts began creeping in. They spoke over one another:

He’s no different.”
“You’re broken.”
“You’re not worthy.”
“We’re all you have.”

I looked into your eyes again. It felt as though I was the only one in the world you loved—that you couldn’t bear to be apart from me. It felt shameless, yet deeply reassuring. Tears rolled down my face. I didn’t understand why you cared so much. I hadn’t done anything to deserve such devotion.

You stood up and reached for me. This was my escape, finally. I had no choice but to trust you. So I reached out and took your hands, gripping them as if my life depended on it.

As we walked together, I noticed the demons emerging from their hiding places, following us at a distance. They didn’t come close, but they kept talking. Some stretched out their hands as if to grab me, but something held them back.

Why don’t you just wave your hand and make them disappear? I thought. The brightness you radiate could keep them away forever, yet you do nothing.

You looked at me and said, “because I have given you the authority to do it.”
Again, you answered my thoughts without me ever saying a word. I looked at you, puzzled. These beasts are giants—and I? Just a tiny grasshopper. I was sure they saw me that way too. They torment and harass me constantly. But you’re here—You should do something, not me.

]]> https://journeyinginfaith.com/the-journey-fiction-part-1/feed/ 0