Page 86 of Dare to Hold
The lobby is buzzing with energy. Volunteers offering warm smiles, worship music playing softly in the background and guests filing in with coffee cups in hand and anticipation in their eyes.
There’s something different about tonight.
People keep arriving, arms outstretched for hugs, voices rising in laughter, but my focus stays steady. I’m not sure if I’m doing this the “right” way, but I want to. I want people to feel welcome, even if all I can give is a smile and a little bit of nervous energy.
When the last wave of guests moves into the sanctuary, I finally take a breath, glancing at my phone to see text.
Harper
Front row. Left side.
I glance at the clock. It’s time.
I weave through the side hallway and slip into the back of the main auditorium just as the house lights dim and the band steps into place.
The sanctuary is packed. A sea of raised hands and warm lighting fills the space.
I weave my way down the row, murmuring apologies as I pass a few people. When I finally spot Harper, I start to slide into the empty seat beside her—only to freeze.
Because Olivia is sitting on her other side.
My mouth parts in shock. She must have snuck in while I was busy at the welcome table, because I definitely would’ve noticed her. For a second, all I can do is stare, my heart thudding with something between disbelief and delight.
Then I drop into the seat between them, grinning so wide it almost hurts. “Liv, you’re here?”
She gives me a half-smile, almost shy, and something warm blooms in my chest. I make a mental note right then: I have to ask Harper later how in the world she managed to talk her into coming.
And then it begins.
The first notes ring out, clear and steady.Gray’s voice joins with the music and the room seems to sing in unison. It’s the new song. His song. The one he was nervous about. The one he wrote.
The lyrics hit like truth wrapped in melody. Lines about surrender, about trust, about a God who stays. The harmonies rise and fall like a tide, and I feel the weight of everything—every doubt, every fear, every unanswered prayer—melting away.
You brought people I didn’t pray for
Showed me love I didn’t earn
You turned strangers into anchors
And used every scar to help me learn
Harper’s already on her feet, arms lifted, eyes closed, moving with the rhythm like it’s in her bones. Joy radiates from her.
Olivia stands still, but I glance at her just in time to see a single tear slip down her cheek.
And something about that undoes me.
It’s not just the music. It’s not even just Gray.
It’s all of it.
My friends beside me. The presence of God thick in the room. The feeling that somehow, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. That God is using me, surrounding me, inviting me deeper.
I press a hand to my chest, heart full, and whisper a quiet thank You. For the music. For the moment. For the unexpected ways He weaves things together.
Gray sings the final chorus, his voice rising with the congregation, and I close my eyes because I want to feel it.
Chapter 22
