Kentucky air felt cool that morning as Joey sat quietly on the porch with a cup of coffee resting between his hands.
The retreat had ended. Laughter faded into memories. Conversations became quiet reflections.
Joey thought about:
Jeffery and Paul in Indiana.
Noelle and Dallas.
Brad and Justin.
Anthony in Canada.
Michelle.
For months Joey carried fears that everyone might drift away.
For months he believed peace depended on holding tightly.
Now something had changed.
Joey smiled softly.
Every person he loved remained safely held in the hands of Jesus.
The verse no longer felt like words printed on a page.
The verse became a place of rest.
Joey finally understood.
Later Joey met Brad and Justin at a nearby park.
Laughter felt easier now. Joy felt lighter. Fear no longer sat quietly beneath every conversation.
That evening Joey opened his journal.
Joey looked upward as birds moved across the morning sky.
Yet his heart remained anchored.
Joey finally felt free.