“What?” Lee stared at her, unsure what extra he might say to get her to know.

Rori stared at him, her blue gaze intent. “You’re a Christian, proper?”

Lee jerked again at her query. “Sure. In fact.”

“I haven’t been a Christian very lengthy, however I bear in mind the primary sermon I heard on the church right here. It was about how we must always replicate God as soon as we turn into His little one.”

Lee didn’t recall that particular sermon, however over time, he’d actually heard loads of sermons with the same theme.

“Essie additionally gave me some verses lately, and as I watched you wrestle with this, one in every of them got here to thoughts.” She pulled the pocket book nearer to her and flipped it open to a bookmark. “I’m making an attempt to memorize it, however I haven’t managed to but. Plus, I need to make it possible for I get it proper.”

Lee watched as she bent over the pocket book and skim, “Due to this fact, if anybody is in Christ, he’s a brand new creation; outdated issues have handed away; behold, all issues have turn into new. Second Corinthians 5, verse seventeen.”

She regarded up at him, her expression intense. “So that you’re not the identical particular person you had been if you had been born. Accepting Jesus into your coronary heart made you new, and in case your purpose is to honor and glorify God, you don’t have to fret about changing into like your beginning father.”

Rori made it sound so easy, however there was a battle happening inside Lee. A battle of religion versus concern. He knew that religion ought to win out, however the concern was so very robust.

He’d by no means felt concern like that earlier than. Worry for Rori, but additionally, he feared himself. Within the house of every week, he’d turn into a stranger in his personal pores and skin.

Since he’d made the invention, he’d ceased to be Lee Halverson, son of Cathy and Dan. He’d turn into the son of murderers. That info could be recognized to just a few folks, however it didn’t matter. He knew.

He knew, and he couldn’t do something about it.

“Am I fallacious about that?” Rori requested, resting her hand on the pocket book. “Like I stated, I haven’t been a Christian very lengthy.”

Lee hadn’t even thought to ask Rori about her non secular life. He’d simply assumed that she had one as a result of she attended church.

If he was trustworthy, the non secular life of women he’d dated prior to now had ranked fairly low on the checklist of issues he needed in a girlfriend. Now he was head to head with somebody who had been a Christian for method much less time than him, and he or she was exhibiting extra religion and perception in God than he was on this scenario.

He reached out to grip his glass of water, feeling the coolness seep into his fingers. “You’re not fallacious, however it’s onerous.”

“Essie stated that God will assist us. That in our weak spot, He’s robust.”

I’m weak, however He’s robust.

The phrases from Jesus Loves Me drifted by his thoughts. The music was a childhood favourite. One he’d been capable of be taught and revel in as a result of those that’d cared for him as a toddler had made the choice to put him within the Halversons’ residence.

“It’s not that straightforward.” Or at the least it wasn’t for him.

He felt very alone. Lee doubted there was anybody else in his scenario. Whereas folks shared a number of experiences in life—just like the lack of a mother or father—he felt very alone on this expertise.

“I do know it received’t be straightforward,” Rori stated. “However it’s not not possible, is it? Would you like what you’ve discovered about your self to rob you of the longer term you need?”

He didn’t need that, however he additionally didn’t need to harm anybody he beloved.

“I don’t know what to do, Rori.” Lee ran his hand by his hair. “I don’t know easy methods to deal with this info. I need a rewind button so badly.”

“There’s no rewind in life,” Rori stated softly. “Your solely alternative is to place one foot in entrance of the opposite and hold shifting ahead. You don’t must take nice strides. Small steps nonetheless transfer you ahead. And also you don’t must do it alone. I need to be by your aspect.”

“Wouldn’t you somewhat step again and wait to see if I’m profitable at coping with it?”

Rori shook her head. “I don’t need to be a distant witness to how God works in your life. I like you, Lee. Meaning one thing to me.”

Lee swallowed onerous. It meant one thing to him, too. However it was his love for Rori that made him need to shield her.

“I want a while,” he stated. “I simply…”

Rori reached throughout the desk and touched his hand. “I may give you time. Simply don’t push me utterly away. We don’t have to spend as a lot time collectively. We don’t must go on dates. Simply don’t attempt to kill our relationship.”

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