Lily Donaldson tiptoed to the front door and winced when it opened with a creak.

Enough of problems,' Anu said, lifting her teacup to her lips. 'We shall focus on God's goodness. Nothing good or bad happens to us but what it first passes through the Father's hand.

The horses came thundering toward Margaret. "Get down!" Daniel tackled her to the dusty ground. The breath puffed out of her. She struggled to free herself, but his strong body kept her pinned beneath him. She could smell the clean scent of soap underneath the scent of his skin. Never in her life had she felt so helpless and dependent. And protected. The word whispered through her brain with a gentle allure.

I'd trusted in my own strength about so many things. I realized God delights in using the weak and fearful.

And we'll take it one step at a time. God isn't surprised by this. This is where our fear meets the bedrock of our faith.

She'd left God behind long ago, and she doubted he'd care to hear from her now that she was in the worst trouble of her life.

None of us is fit to do anything. It's only with the Lord's help we get by.

Nothing could define her unless she let it. She had God in her life to heal those broken places, but she hadn't let him do it.

There are few things more liberating in this life than having your worst fear realized.

There are few things more liberating in life than having your worst fear realized.

What's the bravest thing you ever did? He spat in the road a bloody phlegm. Getting up this morning, he said.

If only my heart were stone.