Pixabay

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Search and Rescue

This isn’t happening. She shivered as the breeze over the bay chilled her. She stood on the dock, exactly as she was directed to, waiting for . . . well, she didn’t exactly know what she was waiting for. She just knew that the compulsion to know had driven every move for the last ten years and this moment was no exception. Finding him—it was all she had left. The divorce had left her broken, her mother’s death had left her depressed, and the state of the world had left her numb. This moment felt like the only shot she had left.

She scanned the water, seeking anything. Could that be a boat? Yes. It was. An old fishing rig heading straight for the dock. She stood there, frozen, physically and emotionally, as she watched news of her greatest loss or her greatest gift approach and stop. The youngest man aboard jumped to the dock and headed her way.

“You must be Cliff?” she inquired, “the detective I spoke to?”

“Yes, I am Cliff . . .” he paused, seeking recognition in her face.

“Well?” she asked anxiously, “Did you find him? Did you find my brother?”

“Yes, I found him.”

She scanned the boat frantically, only seeing the old man captaining the vessel. She felt frustration rise, “Well are you gonna just stand there or are you gonna tell me where I can find him? I mean, if you think this is some kind of game . . .”

He leaned toward her, cutting her off, “I am him.”

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Shannon Leach is a slice-of-life encouragement writer and the owner of A Repurposed Heart and ARH Inspirations. Her authentic stories and books about leadership, life, and loving people focus on encouraging others and reminding them they are not alone. Her work can also be found in Guideposts and multiple Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and is the co-founder of the nonprofit The Fostered Gift.

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Continue the Search

Looking for more stories and adventures? No matter which way you go, I pray the next set of words will be exactly what your heart was looking for.

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My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:2-3 NIV

 

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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