Foundation of Faith
**Episode 2: The Silent Night**
The walk home felt longer than usual for John. Each step was heavy, as if the small cardboard box in his arms weighed a ton. The termination letter tucked inside his pocket felt like a cold, mocking presence. As he walked through the familiar streets, the world around him seemed to move in fast-forward, while he remained stuck in a crushing standstill. He saw parents buying toys for their children and families entering restaurants, and he wondered, *“How will I keep the roof over our heads? How will I look at Samuel?”* By the time he reached his front door, he took a deep breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and forced a fragile smile onto his face. He didn’t want to bring the darkness of the world into his sanctuary.
Inside, the house smelled of fresh ginger tea. Mary greeted him with a warm cup, her eyes bright with anticipation. "You're home! Tell me, how did the review go? Did the manager mention the promotion?" she asked, her voice filled with hopeful excitement.
John took the cup but remained silent. He took a slow sip, unable to meet her gaze. Mary’s smile slowly faded as she sensed the heavy cloud surrounding him. "John? What happened? Why are you so quiet?"
Without a word, John reached into his bag, pulled out the crumpled letter, and handed it to her. As Mary read the words "Termination" and "Immediate Effect," the room went deathly silent. The ticking of the wall clock seemed to grow louder with every passing second. Tears welled up in her eyes, shimmering under the dim living room light. But before a single drop could fall, she took a shaky breath and looked at her husband with a strength that could only come from above.
"John, look at me," she said softly. "Do not be discouraged. If this door has closed, it is only because God has prepared something far more excellent for us. The One who called us is faithful, and He doesn't leave His children halfway."
At that very moment, Samuel walked out of his room, holding a college circular. "Dad, I almost forgot. Tomorrow is the final deadline for the semester fees. They said they won't allow us into the lab from Wednesday if it’s not cleared. Could you check it?"
John looked at Mary, his heart sinking. He had no answer. Mary quickly stepped in, catching John’s eye with a subtle, reassuring nod. "Don't worry, Samuel. Go finish your studies. We will take care of it," she said firmly.
Dinner that night was a quiet affair. The clinking of spoons against plates was the only sound. During their nightly family prayer, John’s voice trembled as he led them. "Lord," he whispered, "everything looks dark before my eyes. I don't see a path, but I trust that You are the Light. Show us the way."
The next morning, John didn't let despair paralyze him. He took his old, creaky bicycle and set out into the sweltering heat. He visited office after office, factory after factory, but the answer was always the same: *"No vacancies."* By evening, his legs were aching, and his spirit was waning. He sat down under the shade of a large banyan tree, wiping the dust from his face.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated. It was a message from an unknown number. He opened it to find a single scripture: **"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).**
A strange warmth spread through John’s chest. His eyes cleared, and hope flickered back to life. Just as he stood up to head home, a car suddenly pulled over to the curb. A man stepped out, squinting through the sunlight. It was David, an old friend John hadn't seen in years.
"John! Is that really you?" David shouted, rushing toward him. "I’ve been trying to find your contact for weeks! I can't believe I ran into you right here!"
**In the next episode...**
What news does David bring for John? Is this the miracle they prayed for, or another test of faith? And how will the deadline for Samuel’s fees be met?
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