More Than We Can Tell (Letters to the Lost #2)

by Brigid Kemmerer

‘The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.’ ” My eyes narrow. “Are you quoting the Bible?” “Yes.” He says this like it’s the most normal thing in the world. “You know what I like about it? I like how it makes doubt seem inevitable. It’s okay to be unsure.”

“Thank you.” “For what?” “For seeing me.”

“No,” he says, a dry mimic of my own tone. “It’s just allergies.”

Ugh, I’m so awkward. This is why I’m better with a keyboard and a screen, especially when my thoughts have been shaken and scattered like Scrabble tiles.

God, I’m starting to sound like him. I’m not sure I mind.

“No, you don’t! You moron, there are three people in the story.” “What?” “You’re neither son, Rev. If you’re anyone, you’re the man who watched his kids act like total dicks, only to stand there with open arms and forgive them.”

He catches me. He holds on. Because he’s not my father. He’s my dad.

“Even then. We all push sometimes, just to make sure someone is on the other side, pushing back.”

Our actions have an impact on everyone around us. Sometimes without us even realizing it.”

We can only do the best we can with what we’re given.”

“Downstairs. Get your gloves. If you need to throw punches, let’s find something better than my face.”

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

He says the Internet makes too many people loud, and too many people silent, but the loud people are all we hear. We have to ask questions to hear the silent people.”

“Sometimes I have to remind myself that the world was different when those words were written down. And even though they’re supposedly inspired by God, they’re still being interpreted by humans—and humans can be wrong. When you zoom out and look at everything, any belief system can seem a little crazy. Especially when you look at what people do in the name of religion.”

“You’re fearless.” I must be dreaming this conversation. “I’m what? No, I’m not.” “Yes. You are. You never hesitate.” He turns his head to look at me fully. “I think it’s what I like best about you. It’s why I thought of the verse about iron sharpening iron. Every time I’m around you, I want to be braver.”

“things happen when they’re meant to happen.”

‘The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.’