Chapter 22: Opening the Heart

Jason sat on the park bench, staring at the open Bible in his hands. The pages felt heavy, not just because of their weight, but because of what they meant. He had spent weeks arguing, questioning, and doubting. But something inside him had shifted. It wasn't just Noah's words—it was something deeper. A tug at his heart that he couldn't explain.

Noah sat beside him, quiet, letting Jason process whatever was going through his mind. Finally, Jason took a deep breath. "I think I get it now," he muttered.

Noah turned to him, eyes filled with patience and quiet encouragement. "Get what?"

Jason hesitated, then pointed at a verse he had been reading. "This. 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' I've been… so tired, man. Tired of pretending I have it all figured out. Tired of pushing everything away. And yet, even when I was fighting against it, God was still there, wasn't He?"

Noah smiled. "Yeah. He's been waiting for you."

Jason let out a small, almost nervous laugh. "I don't know how to do this. How to, you know… believe."

Noah leaned forward. "You don't have to have all the answers. Faith isn't about knowing everything—it's about trusting. About taking that first step."

Jason closed the Bible and rested it on his lap. "Then… how do I start?"

Noah's heart swelled. He had prayed for this moment. "Just talk to Him. Like you would to a friend."

Jason took another deep breath. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he said, "God… I don't know if I'm doing this right, but… I think I need You. I want to believe. Help me believe."

A wave of peace washed over him. It wasn't sudden, it wasn't dramatic. But it was real. And for the first time in a long time, Jason felt like he wasn't alone.

Noah placed a hand on his shoulder. "Welcome home, Jason."