WEB NOVEL: SET APART

ABRIELLE

I remember the first day I saw Jeremiah. It was an ordinary day at the beginning of autumn. Before meeting Jeremiah, my life with Jesus was already filled with love and joy. But when I saw Jeremiah, colors were added to my life, filling my heart with excitement and vivid detail.

As Christmas approached, I never saw Jeremiah again.

The coffee on the table gets cold as I stare at it more than at the book I’m reading. The smell of coffee fills my mind, drawing me into the moment as I think about the fall season. I admit, I haven’t seen Jeremiah in the past couple of weeks. I know he probably moved to another State. I close my book since nothing comes to mind. I check my Fruit app, and the username GhostYusukeUrameshi07 messages me again. It asks the same question as before: whether I will do a live Bible study in the Fruit app.

I realized I needed to get back on track. The last couple of weeks have been tough, and I haven’t posted any encouraging reels. I know I need to protect my heart, just like the Bible teaches, so I can stay focused instead of getting caught up with someone who never really tried to know me, be my friend, or even smile at me after he found out I liked him. I closed my eyes and said a quiet prayer. “Lord Jesus, if it’s not too much to ask, would you please take away these feelings I have for Jeremiah? He’s already gone. I get it now, Lord—being friends with him isn’t part of Your plan for me, so please help me keep my focus on You.” There, I finally said it. I breathed deeply, feeling a sense of peace return. I know I am ready to move forward, stronger and more focused on what truly matters.

Now, I’m ready to forget about Jeremiah and just do what my heart always longs for: to focus on God. I replied to the Fruit app user who messaged me that I have finally decided to do an online Bible study soon. So, the message was sent. I drank my coffee and glanced outside to see that most of the leaves had already fallen off the tree. There are some colorful leaves left, but it only indicates that winter is coming soon. However, after daylight saving time, nightfall approached quickly. Suddenly, my phone charms. A message from GhostYusukeUrameshi07 again. He said, “Well, it’s a good idea; however, what topic are you planning to talk about?” I messaged in return saying, “That’s a good question, but I actually haven’t thought about a topic or a certain story or a Bible verse yet, but I will surely pursue the live Bible study online soon.” I sent the message and closed the app.

I know that I prayed to God, asking Him to take away my feelings for Jeremiah, and I truly hope that relief comes soon. I sought comfort from the Holy Spirit and looked for a Bible verse to ease my loneliness. Psalm 38:9 met my thirsty soul: “Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You.” At that moment, I felt God answered me, but I always remember what He says in Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” The Bible says, “above all else,” and I hold onto that. God knows my longings and hears every sigh because nothing is hidden from Him, yet He still calls me to guard my heart. Fencing my heart for Jesus, instead of clinging to desires that could become idols, is the best thing I can do in every season I walk through.

Out of all of God’s promises, I wonder why God gave me Psalm 38:9. It makes me question what truly lies within my heart. I know Jesus is at the center of my life, but I can’t help but worry about Jeremiah. What did he really long for deep in his heart? Did he ever yearn for Jesus, or did that hope ever touch his thoughts?

JEREMIAH

The fall season in Seaside is different from Seattle. Living in both places has left a pinch in my heart. As night falls in Seaside, autumn envelops me with peace. The cool breeze carries its fragrance as it caresses the sea oats, making them sway as if dancing beneath the sunset. The seagulls sound as if they’re calling their families home. The serenity I feel now as I look across the ocean is unconditional. I love and live in this moment in Seaside, but when I close my eyes, my longings bring me back to the cold, vibrant city lights of Seattle. There, the fall leaves gently drift down under the tree, making their way into the palm of my hands.

The hanging string lights on our front porch automatically turn on, and I am reminded of the book in my hand. I pause to check my phone—Abrielle has not uploaded anything yet, and I still have not messaged Mr. Jose Ferrer. Setting my phone down, I close my eyes, ready to say a little prayer. The quietness of the night draws my heart closer to God as the cool ocean breeze touches my face.

There is something indescribable about the scent of the sea. Surrounded by this fragrance, my heart began to whisper, filled with awe: “Oh, Lord, You are amazing!” A gentle gratitude welled up in me as I repeated softly, “Your creation is magnificent.” As I remained still, peace settled within, and I sensed the Holy Spirit’s presence. This calm brought a heartfelt urge: “If I haven’t said thank you, I’d like to thank you with all my heart. Blanket me with Your words. Guide my decision. Show me the true desires of my heart.” Slowly, I opened my eyes, noticing the calmness around me and within. As I looked to the heavens, my heartbeat first slowed, then quickened again in anticipation. It was in that peaceful moment that God revealed to me the deepest longing of my heart: “I want to be baptized.”