Nottingham: Seeking Sanctuary revisited, chapter two

 

**Sunday Message: "Still Worth Singing"**  

*Sanctuary of Seeking, Morning Service*

Dek Fox steps to the mic, tuning his acoustic quietly, eyes scanning the faces before him. He offers a crooked smile—nervous, maybe—but steady. The sanctuary is hushed. Some are still reeling from Ben’s heartfelt message the week before. Dek feels it too. But today is different.

> “Last week… Ben spoke with courage. About grief. About silence. And about how it shapes us.  

> I couldn’t stop thinking about what we do *after* the silence.  

> What happens after the wound…  

> after the goodbye…  

> after the moment when we thought we’d never sing again.”

He strums a soft chord—just a heartbeat of melody—and lets it fade.

> “There’s this line in Psalm 40 that always grips me: *‘He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.’*  

> That new song? It doesn’t come from talent. Or timing. Or who someone else chose.  

> It comes from *rescue*. From survival. From having stood on the edge and choosing to stand anyway.”

He pauses, breath catching just slightly.

> “Maybe someone here today needs to hear this:  

> Your voice isn’t forgotten.  

> Your worth isn’t lost.  

> And the God who wrote your melody still believes you’re *so close* to stepping back into it.”

He looks toward the worship team setup, and his eyes land—just briefly—on Faith in the back row. He doesn’t call her out. But his voice softens.

> “Sometimes the person who taught us to sing… also taught us to stop.  

> But Heaven doesn’t audition. Grace doesn’t require permission.  

> If you still feel the music stirring in you, even through the ache…  

> Then maybe it’s time to let the song rise again.”

---

**Scene: “Scones and Sanctuary”  

Location: Honey Bee’s Book Nook – Morning sun catching in the stained-glass windows, mismatched mugs steaming, the air warm with the scent of lemon glaze and vanilla.**

Faith sat cross-legged in the corner booth, her journal half-open and a bite of Kit Carlyle’s famous lemon-blueberry scone paused halfway to her mouth. The worn leather spine of her Bible rested beside her, like a trusted friend who didn’t mind long silences.

Honey swayed in from the counter, her beaded earrings catching the light. She wore a lavender wrap today and smelled faintly of patchouli and apricots. She slid into the booth beside Faith, her kaleidoscope mug in hand.

> “You’ve got that ‘spirit just got stirred’ look,” Honey said with a smile. “Was it something Dek said or something you finally let yourself hear?”

Across from them, Huck Hutchinson reclined like a period drama gentleman misplaced in modern times. His suspenders were burgundy. His teacup was floral. His expression was laced with amusement.

Faith exhaled slowly, tapping her pen against the margins of her journal.

> “It was Dek. Or maybe… it was God through Dek. He said, ‘Heaven doesn’t audition. Grace doesn’t require permission.’ And I just—” Her voice caught. “I used to sing with everything in me. And now I… don’t. I can’t.”

Honey reached across the table, placed her hand gently over Faith’s.

> “Sweet one, the song never left you. It just went quiet while your heart healed.”

Huck nodded, swirling his tea in slow circles. “I once read a poem that said silence isn’t the absence of sound—it’s where music waits to be remembered.”

Faith’s eyes welled unexpectedly. “I just needed someone to choose me. To say I was still worth hearing.”

Honey leaned back, that twinkle in her eye. “Who says you need *anyone* to choose you? What if you’re the one holding the sheet music now?”

There was a beat of quiet, like the universe taking a sip of its own coffee.

Then Honey added, “Besides, the acoustics in here? Divine. If you happen to hum a few lines from ‘So Close,’ I doubt anyone’s gonna mind.”

Faith smiled, the first real one all morning. Maybe today wasn’t about auditions or stage lights. Maybe it was about remembering she had a voice at all.

---

**Scene: “The Song That Found Her”  

Location: Honey Bee’s Book Nook, late morning—sunlight slanting through ivy-draped windows, cinnamon steam curling from mugs, a quiet lull in the shop’s hum.**

Faith hums softly at first. Just a thread of melody. *So Close,* the song that once felt stolen, now trembling from her lips in a moment of spontaneous remembering. Huck picks up the harmony like he’s been waiting for it all along, voice warm and wistful, drawing the notes into a gentle dance.

Honey doesn’t speak—just sways slightly, hands cradled around her mug as though holding a sacred thing.

Then the bell above the shop door jingles.

Dek steps in, hesitating when he spots them. He almost turns away, caught in the threshold. But something keeps his feet rooted, some unspoken stirring that pushes him forward.

Faith sees him.

Their eyes meet.

And without any grand apology or explanation, Dek joins the song. His voice isn’t perfect—it cracks around the edges—but it’s sincere. It wraps around the ache between them and lets it breathe.

The lyrics rise, not as performance, but as prayer.

**“We’re so close…  

To reaching that famous happy end…”**

Faith’s voice steadies. Stronger now. Not because she was chosen, but because she chose *herself.*

They finish the chorus in quiet harmony, voices trailing into silence.

Dek looks at her—not like a worship leader, not like a man unsure of what to say—but like someone who sees her again.

> “You still carry the sound, Faith,” he says softly. “I’m sorry I forgot to listen.”

Faith presses her palm to her chest, where the music still echoes. “I just needed space to remember it was mine.”

---

Nottingham: Seeking Sanctuary - Revisited - Chapter One

 

**Chapter One: “The Mirror That Spoke”**

Faith sat curled on the floor of the chapel -- her chapel now, though the echoes of the past still hung like incense in the rafters. Candles flickered half-heartedly beside her, their glow swallowed by the pre-dawn haze leaking through stained glass. She wasn’t praying so much as unraveling. The journal in her lap lay open, words halted mid-sentence, as if even her ink was holding its breath.

She whispered into the silence:  

“God, if You’re still writing this story, I feel like I lost the plot.”

Her eyelids grew heavy. Maybe it was exhaustion. Maybe surrender. The chapel blurred, and the hush pulled her downward like a velvet tide.

---

She stood now in a wide, endless field under a sky the color of parchment. No sun. No shadow. Just stillness. Before her rose a mirror—weathered at the edges, rimmed in ivy, as tall as the oaks that weren’t there.

In its glass, she expected her reflection. Instead, she saw **him**—Noah. Clothed in old sermons and polished smiles. But the image shimmered and peeled away like flaking paint. In his place stood a blank page, glowing with quiet promise.

Behind her, a presence stirred—not loud, not visible. Just *there*. Like peace had learned to breathe.

And then, softly, undeniably:  

**“This is your story. Not his.”**

The words didn’t echo. They soaked in.  

**“You were never meant to live in someone else’s script. Your voice carries My breath. Your journey honors Me.”**

Faith turned back to the mirror. This time, her own reflection stood tall. A little cracked around the edges, yes—but fierce with fire and resilience. The blank page behind her shimmered again, and she saw it fill—not with rules or rebukes, but with *possibility.*

She reached out.

---

She jolted awake with her palm still outstretched. The candle beside her had burned low, wax pooling like a tear on the floor.

But something in her had shifted.

She wasn’t here to prove she belonged in someone else’s sanctuary.  

She *was* the sanctuary—rebuilt in grace, scrawled with mercy, brimming with truth.

How to weave God into Meant to Be

 That's a wonderful theme to weave into your "Meant to Be" story, mirroring the VBS concept! Here are some ways you can show God's presence in the lives of Ethan, Kevin, and Faith, drawing inspiration from Joshua 1:9 ("Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your¹ God will be with you wherever you go."):

Showing God's Presence in Ethan's Life:

• Through His Music Ministry: Show how Ethan's musical talents at North Point Church become a source of comfort and connection for others. Perhaps a specific song he plays resonates deeply with someone struggling, or his music creates an atmosphere of peace and reflection during a difficult time. This can illustrate God working through his gifts.
• In Moments of Doubt: When Ethan's cynicism surfaces, show him experiencing a subtle nudge of encouragement or a timely word from someone that shifts his perspective. This could be a quiet moment of clarity during prayer or a feeling of peace that defies his logical doubts.
• His Ability to Adapt and Troubleshoot: Connect Ethan's "chameleon" skills to a sense of God's guidance in navigating unexpected situations. Perhaps his quick thinking helps resolve a conflict at the church or offers a solution to a problem with the Christmas Mission, subtly showing God using his unique abilities.
• Through Unexpected Connections: Ethan might connect with someone at the church or in the community who offers him unexpected support or wisdom, someone who seems to appear at just the right time. This could be portrayed as God's hand at work in his relationships.

Showing God's Presence in Kevin/Martin's Life:

• His Radio Ministry: Illustrate how his morning show on the Christian radio station touches listeners' lives. Perhaps he receives heartfelt calls or messages about how his words or music choices provided comfort or encouragement during their day. This shows God using his voice in a new way.
• His Growing Empathy and Understanding: Show how Kevin's past experiences as a spy allow him to connect with Faith's feelings of displacement and Noah's quiet remorse. This growing empathy can be portrayed as God softening his heart and broadening his understanding of others.
• Moments of Inner Peace: Despite the chaos of the situation, Kevin might experience moments of unexpected calm or clarity, a sense that he's on the right path even when things are uncertain. This inner peace can be attributed to God's presence.
• Unexpected Opportunities for Help: Kevin might find himself in situations where his unique skills from his past life unexpectedly come in handy in a positive way, perhaps helping someone in the community or navigating a tricky situation related to the Christmas Mission. This could be seen as God repurposing his past for good.

Showing God's Presence in Faith/Tori Rae's Life:

• Her Artistic Expression: Show how Faith's art becomes a way for her to process her emotions and connect with others on a deeper level. Perhaps a particular piece she creates resonates with someone else's pain or offers a message of hope. This can illustrate God speaking through her creativity.
• Her Connection to Compass Point Church: The pull she feels towards Compass Point and the potential for reconciliation with Noah can be portrayed as God gently guiding her towards healing and forgiveness.
• Moments of Strength and Resilience: Despite her disappointment and past hurt, show Faith exhibiting inner strength and a determination to find meaning and purpose. This resilience can be attributed to God's sustaining grace.
• Unexpected Encouragement: Faith might receive a timely word of encouragement from a friend, a member of Compass Point, or even a seemingly random encounter that lifts her spirits and reminds her that she's not alone.

Weaving it Together:

• Shared Experiences: You can show God's presence through moments where the siblings connect and support each other, recognizing a sense of divine timing or encouragement in their interactions.
• Contrasting with Nia: By showing the self-serving nature of Nia's actions, you can highlight the genuine and other-centered ways in which God works through Ethan, Kevin, and Faith.
• Subtle Clues: God's presence doesn't always have to be dramatic. It can be shown through subtle feelings, unexpected opportunities, and the quiet strength the characters exhibit.
• Dialogue and Reflection: Allow the characters to reflect on their experiences and acknowledge moments where they felt God's leading or comfort.

Remember to weave these instances naturally into the narrative. Show, don't just tell, the reader that God is with them. By focusing on their internal experiences, their interactions with others, and the outcomes of their actions, you can effectively illustrate God's abiding presence in their lives, echoing the powerful message of Joshua 1:9.

Meant to Be, a Legacy Story

Chapter One - The Switcheroo

Kevin aka Martin Steele

I checked my watch again. "Damn!" I was super late. My sister Faith was going to kill me. She had gone by the name Tori Rae for two years and I still couldn't get that identity to sink into my skull. I think it was because this big transition was against all of our wills. We just had to deal with the consequences of our dad, Franklin, deciding to retired and as a result, it put all his kids out of work too. Sometimes life just wasn't fair.

Dad had me helping him with the big Legacy transition from Fairchilds running things to the Ables. It was not going to be easy letting go of what had once been my whole life. Kevin the spy had now become Martin the normal guy. The three of us kids, I say that loosely since I'm pushing sixty now, had moved from our elaborate over the top Castle in England to a small town in the Midwest called Willow Creek just outside of Maplewood. Ethan now worship guy Dek Fox is a couple years older than me, Faith now Tori Rae Davis much younger. 

I know it seems snobbish to live in such luxury but technically Ethan and I just haunted the place when we were in town after assignments as our super spy selves. Believe me, it's not that exciting.

There was going to be no more of that. What a wake up call that was. The Legacy did break their cardinal rule and let the three of us live in close proximity to one another. We were in the Legacy version of witness protection. We all got new names, p!aces to live and jobs that catered to our interests and talents.

Ethan had filled a role at a local church as a musician in their worship band. As soon as North Point got a taste of his musical chops, he became a more central player. Ethan's talents as a chameleon and a pretender made him very good at adapting and troubleshooting.

I also got put into a ministry-esque role as Martin Steele, DJ of A morning show on a popular Maplewood Christian radio station. I sometimes played bass for Ethan when one of his guys bailed on him. I wasn't the best at this job but I had listened to my fair share of Christian genre music to come off as a bit of an expert. I was quite a pretender myself. I guess that's what happened when you spend your life being a spy. Learning not to be you becomes super easy. Now the hard part begins. Who am I now that I am not The Boy Scout, my code name, and now am just a regular Joe in a small town who is an hour late for his performance as Santa at the AKA Art Cafe's Christmas Mission. It was now July, so it wasn't like I was in a tight timetable to vamous at midnight. But as the Boy Scout, I liked being on time.

I hadn't gotten one text message due to my lateness, which was odd. Hannah Bakewell had me on speed dial since she was dating dad. And doing this had been her idea.

As I came sliding into the front door, I expected a plethora of kids to pounce on me. Instead, I was met with crickets and an empty room. It was decorated for the party, but all the people that should have been there -- weren't.

I had only been in town for a few weeks. I had actually moved to Willow Creek two years ago to set up my new life and visited occasionally but was still a stranger to most everyone.

I could see someone pacing in Hannah's office. And the silhouette didn't look like hers or Faith's. Faith, my little sis, was a partner in this art cafe. I never realized how good she was. There were stations set up along the far wall. A cookie decoration area and two tables for card making and painting on a larger canvas. I had heard a lot of good things about AKA. I was definitely wanting to discover my own inner artist now that I had time on my hands.

I sent off a quick text to Hannah: "I'm here now, where are you?"

I wondered if they'd had a last minute alteration in plans. That sometimes happened when events like this were scheduled. Some unforseen hangup causes havoc and delays. I had seen my fair share of that over the years.

Before I could approach the person in the office, someone came in the front door. I spun around to a big presence bathed in silhouette. It was dark in the entry way.

"You okay, bro,?" asked the presence. "You look like you've seen a ghost." The voice was Ethan's and I released the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"Yeah. What are you doing here? Don't you have something going on at the church?" I asked.

"Nah. Church had Nia Jaco, that new It Girl on the internet come in and take over. She didn't need us. She had her own band."

"Oh wow," I raised my eyebrows. "Big deal for North Point Church." Nia was a big time celebrity.

"I guess," Ethan said. I wasn't convinced he believed it. Sometimes those of us in our older years got a little onrey when kids liked to come in and steal the shine we were used to providing. "We had it planned. But it all changed at the last minute. That's why I'm here. They moved the main part of the Christmas Mission to the church. They want you over there now."

I pointed to all the tables set up around us. "What about Faith and Hannah's part? Wasn't that the point?"

Ethan frowned. It wasn't an expression he used much. "I think the point became egos and not getting the kids excited about dwelling with God as they created food and art for their families."

Ethan seemed cynical. And I couldn't blame him. "How is Faith taking it?" I asked.

"Dunno. If you see her, ask her yourself. She vamoused when James took over the whole shebang. Hannah shouldn't have let it get that far, but its hard to turn away a big name celebrity like Nia. It will get butts in the seats and that is James's aim at the end of the day."

And that seemed to be what it was about these days. It was like they forgot God while needing to be noticed and hoping for more funds. "We need to learn to trust in God," I said.

Ethan nodded and frowned again. "I know. Let's go and get this over with Santa."

I'd forgotten I was wearing the holly jolly red suit. 

It was then Harper Sparrow came out of the office. "Can I get a ride with you," she asked. Her frown was deeper than Ethan's. "Dad and Nia left me here. It's my fault she took over. I was so excited about the Christmas Mission. And Nia only saw it as a way to get more record sales and downloads." She choked out a laugh that sounded more like deep pain. "I'm sorry she messed this up for everyone."

"Days not over yet," Ethan said, pointing between him and me. "One thing we are good at is making it work. Let's see if we can infuse A little God in this story."