WEB NOVEL: SET APART

Mar 27, 2024

Written by Abby Caymol

Abrielle

What a lovely day! I woke on a cool blanket, and the sunlight illuminated my room. The sun’s brightness was blinding, so I covered my eyes and leaned towards my window. I could see the beautiful colors of autumn outside. The green leaves of the trees were gradually turning into shades of orange and yellow. It’s amazing how autumn is such a wonderful creation of God. I could spend the whole day sitting by the window, admiring the beautiful scenery while sipping a hot cocoa. However, I checked the time, and it was already 7:30 am, so I needed to start preparing for work. Before I began, I closed my eyes and prayed to God, thanking Him for this beautiful day and appreciating all He has done. I acknowledged His majestic creation and prayed that everyone would see the beauty of His works and the presence of God in them. I also prayed for peace to surround me, my family, my friends, and all the people I will encounter today. In Jesus’ mighty name, I said amen.

I turned off my fairy lights, and just as I was about to leave my room, a notification from the Bible App popped up. It contained a verse from Romans 15:13: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.’ This verse speaks of the joy, peace, and hope only God can provide. I am hopeful that today, joy will welcome me and that peace will surround my day.

As the driver stopped at the employee parking lot, he asked if more employees wanted to board the bus. I noticed Jeremiah running towards the bus, out of breath as usual. He took his usual seat after boarding. I was facing the driver while he sat on my right side, looking out the window on the left. It made me happy to know he was sitting close to me, but simultaneously, I felt like he was so far away. I couldn’t get over my feelings for him, yet I couldn’t do anything about it. Although I could try, I chose not to be too obvious by glancing at him. He was so absorbed in his phone, quickly scrolling through his social media feeds. I turned my attention to the window, and the bright rays of sunlight shining through it made me close my eyes in joy and hope. I remembered the scripture I read earlier from Romans 15:13, which reminded me that God promises to fill our day with joy and peace, knowing He is always with us. Though we may not hear Him audibly, He listens to and communicates with us constantly. Despite everything, seeing Jeremiah daily brings me contentment and peace, and that’s where I find my joy.

Jeremiah

While helping a passenger with their bag at the checkpoint, I reminded them to remove any electronics from their bag. “Ma’am, do you have any other electronics in your bag besides your laptop?” I asked politely. This is an everyday reminder as passengers usually forget to take things out of their bags. “I wouldn’t have put my laptop away if I knew there were more electronics inside,” replied the passenger with an angry tone. I sighed. I understood why passengers get annoyed; they usually rush to catch their flight, and the checkpoints can be chaotic and crowded, which can test their patience. I looked at the passenger but didn’t say anything. I was tired. The crowds made me feel dizzy, and our employees were exhausted, too. I wanted to know if I could still handle this job. I like working here, but it can be overwhelming at times. I hoped to find some peace of mind in that moment.

“Jacob, what time are you taking your lunch?” I asked him. “Pretty soon. Do you want to go with me?” he replied. “Let’s go to our usual fries and burger place,” I suggested. After a few minutes, Jacob and I went to get something for lunch. While waiting for our order, Jacob asked me if I had downloaded The Fruit app yet. I said yes, but I still needed to decide on a username. “I only have the automatic username they give at first on the app,” I explained. “Okay, well, you know my username. Just follow me, and I’ll follow back,” Jacob said. I agreed and got our order. The food was satisfying, but I’m still concerned about maintaining patience when I return to work. I hope for a peaceful shift for the rest of the day.

Meanwhile, there was still some chaos in the checkpoint area, but I didn’t let it bother me. After finishing our shift, my colleagues and I headed back home. As soon as I got home, I decided to unwind for a while. While scrolling through The Fruit app on my phone, I stumbled upon a post of a girl whom I recognized from my morning bus ride to work. To my surprise, she was the same employee my co-workers had been talking about. 

“Hi, it’s me, Abrielle! Sharing the good news! In Ephesians 4:24, To put on the new self-created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. The sermon today about holiness has gotten my attention. The Book of Leviticus supports the scripture that we should be holy because our Lord is holy. You see, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but we can practice. There is a difference between being holy and perfect. Works and performance are moved by perfectionism, but holiness is propelled by the grace we receive from Jesus. Our work can’t save us, but it will lead us to live double our lives. Always remember that we are called to be holy and not perfect. I hope you are encouraged today. God bless you, and have a great day!”

I just finished watching her reel. She mentioned the phrase “new self,” which gave me hope. Although I have done many things that are not pleasing to God, her message reminded me that His grace is freely given to those who fall short of His glory. Right now, I am focusing on improving my patience, and although it’s not easy, I’m trying my best. I put my phone on the table and prepared for bed, eager to rest after a long day. Today, I learned something valuable and look forward to what tomorrow brings.