Page 22 of Lee

One of the men Lee had spoken with took the seat behind a set of drums, a smile on his face as he gazed out at the congregation. Perhaps another brother.

While the person at the piano played softly, a man on the stage welcomed them to the service and then said a brief prayer.

Immediately after, the other musicians joined in, and lyrics appeared on the screens mounted on the walls on either side of the stage. Though Rori didn’t know the song, she appreciated being able to read the lyrics, and she found that she could pick up the melody quite quickly since there was some repetition.

She’d always appreciated songs that made her feel like she was not alone in her struggles in life. In the hurt and loneliness that sometimes overtook her. There were plenty of songs out there offering understanding, but the songs that night offered both understanding and hope.

One song in particular moved her, bringing a very rare sting of tears to her eyes as she listened to it.

Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?

Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home?

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Some of the singers on the stage lifted their hands, tipping their faces up toward the ceiling.

I sing because I’m happy,

I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,

I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Rori had never felt like anyone had ever seen her in her hurt and loneliness. She’d never felt like anyone had cared what she might be going through. It was easier to keep a smile on her face, no matter how much she might be hurting, because what would hurt worse was if people saw what she was going through and still did nothing.

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