SET APART WEB NOVEL

ABRIELLE

It’s been a while since I last saw Jeremiah, and I can’t help but wonder where he could be. A thought crossed my mind: “He is leaving the state soon,” Eun-Yeong mentioned the last time we talked. Sadness crept into my thoughts as I realized that nothing had happened yet. If it is God’s will for us to be friends before he leaves Seattle, then I trust it will happen. But I haven’t seen him lately. Did he leave already?

People walking through the gate make me feel dizzy. There’s a flight boarding at gate A2, and I’m getting impatient, unable to wait for all the passengers to board before I can finally have some peace while waiting for someone. Once all the passengers boarded, I scanned the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jeremiah. Gate A2 is situated just across from the TSA checkpoint, yet I still can’t see any sign of him.

I gazed toward the corner of the checkpoint area and spotted Jeremiah’s friends walking toward the coffee shop in front of the checkpoint. My heart raced. I hoped Jeremiah was with them. I had waited for seven minutes, but he was nowhere to be found. His friends eventually returned to the checkpoint, and as I walked past, I still didn’t see him. If Jeremiah is nearby, it seems God doesn’t want me to find him. But why, Lord? I understand why Jeremiah and I couldn’t be friends, but please, Lord, if I could just see him one last time before he leaves, I would be so grateful. Thoughts flooded my mind like an endless river. “Okay, Lord, I understand now. You don’t want me to see him, so I won’t have to face the sadness of knowing this might be the last time.” A sense of assurance began to calm my thoughts. Regardless of what happens, the idea of being friends with Jeremiah will always be a bittersweet conflict in my heart.

JEREMIAH

As I was putting my things into the locker, I noticed Abrielle walking around, observing her surroundings. She looked a bit unsettled, as if she were searching for someone. When she passed by the checkpoint, I felt as though my hands were glued inside the locker. I wanted to ask her if she was the daughter of Mr. Jose Ferrer, but approaching her seemed intimidating. Maybe, if we became friends, I could eventually ask her that question, which has been on my mind for quite some time.

Even though I’m far from Seattle now, I believe that if we are meant to be friends, it will happen at the right time. If Abrielle is indeed Mr. Ferrer’s daughter and her friend Eun-Yeong has told me that Abrielle likes me, it feels bizarre, especially since she is unaware of my thoughts. Today is my last day of work, and I will miss everyone here in Seattle.

Everything here is already settled. Next week, I’ll be flying back to Florida. Should I contact my churchmate beforehand? I felt a deep connection to the Lord, and I want to be intentional about my walk with God. I long to be surrounded by my church family once again. While sadness has crept in, a glimpse of hope has also emerged. I plan to reach out to Mr. Jose Ferrer right away when I return to Seaside City. I will encourage him to continue with the online Bible study. He is filled with wisdom, and every word he shared with me has been very encouraging.

A group of people passed by, all wearing shirts that could be described as church attire. Each shirt had a Bible verse on the back, but only the book, chapter, and verse number were displayed. Everyone was moving quickly and seemed very busy, except for one person who stood still, as if God was showing me a sign. The verse on that person’s shirt was Hebrews 11:1, so I looked it up immediately. It says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Wow! It is amazing how God understands my heart. This verse perfectly reflects what I feel inside. I’m uncertain about what my life will be like when I return to Florida. Will I have a new job? New friends? Will I return to church? I don’t have all the answers, but I will hold onto my faith, trusting that God will bring everything into place when I finally return to Florida.

My parents will be very happy when they find out about my plans to return to church. I am a changed person as I come back to Florida. It’s not a complete transformation yet, but I am far from who I used to be. I have learned not to rely on my principles but to hold fast to God’s authority. True transformation exists under His grace, not through our efforts but within God’s control. Since God is the one in control, I will continue to hope. My hope and faith may falter, but God will never fail. In Him lies my assurance. 

As I leave Seattle, I will carry with me all the wonderful memories it has given me: the beautiful nature, endless trees, cold seasons, rainy days, good coffee, relaxing music, and countless books to read. I cherish the occasional visits to the public library and walks to the local bookstore on crisp autumn mornings. The breathtaking scenery, picturesque mountains, busy Mondays at work, and the friendly community are just a few of the many wonderful things this evergreen state has to offer.

All of this will remain sealed in my heart, an intimate collection of how God guided me to Seattle to deepen my connection with Him. If I ever find my way back to the vibrant streets of Seattle, I will be a transformed person, having embraced a journey of growth and a process of knowing Jesus, fully surrendering my heart to the Lord. This important change fuels my hope, keeping it joyful and alive as I look forward to new possibilities and connections in God’s right time.