[Alaskan Quest 02] - Under the Northern Lights (39 page)

‘‘We will survive by trusting first in the Lord and then in the wisdom we each have. All of us know things that can help in our survival. I’ve lived in the frozen north since my teen years. I’m not about to let this stop me. I hope you won’t let it stop you either.’’ The men around him nodded. ‘‘We will have to work together— to trust each other and to be trustworthy. There can be no thievery. No hoarding. We must share and share alike. Do I have your word on this?’’

The men nodded again, and Jacob could see that they were desperate to have hope. He smiled. ‘‘Physically, we are good, strong, healthy men, but I’ve seen such men defeated because their spirits were not also strong.’’ Jacob dropped to his knees. ‘‘I, for one, will not be weak spiritually.’’

The crew joined him on their knees. Not a single man protested as Jacob began to pray. ‘‘Father, we seek your guidance and wisdom. We ask for direction and knowledge as we deal with the days to come. Watch over us. Keep us in your care. Let our minds be clear and our bodies strong. Renew our spirits and our hearts, that we might be generous with each other, practicing kindness and mercy. Lord, the way looks so very difficult, but we know that you are a God of infinite power. We trust you now for all that we need. In Jesus’ name, amen.’’

Jacob heard the men murmur in agreement. Opening his eyes, he looked overhead and saw the aurora dancing in a brilliant display of color. Some might consider it a bad omen, but Jacob felt as if God were answering him, reassuring him that all was not lost.

‘‘Leah’s out there . . . somewhere under the northern lights,’’ Jayce said as he and Jacob walked to the ship’s rail. ‘‘She’s worried about us and probably mounting up an army to come find us.’’

‘‘If I know my sister, she’ll be trying to lead the whole bunch.’’

Jayce sighed. ‘‘If I know my wife, she’ll not rest until we’re both back safe and sound.’’

Leah stood under the northern lights, watching the show as if it were the finest entertainment in the world. Helaina soon joined her, awestruck by the display.

‘‘They’re truly beautiful,’’ she told Leah. ‘‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’’

Leah thought of all the times she’d seen the aurora before. She never tired of it, but tonight they left her feeling rather sad. ‘‘The natives have a legend about the lights. They say they are caused from the torches of spirits who are looking for the souls of the dead. The people believe there is a narrow path to follow over to a land of plenty. It’s their heaven—where there is no sickness or hunger. They believe the noise made by the aurora is because the spirits are whistling to them. Some of the people believe they can send messages to the dead through these spirits.’’ She sighed and wrapped her arms to her body. ‘‘But always they think of those who’ve just died. This is their light home.’’

Helaina put her arm around Leah. ‘‘But it isn’t Jacob’s light home, nor Jayce’s. They aren’t dead—I know they aren’t.’’

Leah looked to Helaina and nodded. ‘‘I know it, too, but I don’t know anything else. I don’t know if they can hang on—or if they have the things they need to live. I don’t know if they are sick or if . . .’’ She let the words fade away.

‘‘You taught me, Leah, that faith is believing even when it’s hard to see anything to believe in. We both know that God is with us—just as He’s with Jayce and Jacob. God must have a purpose, even in this.’’

‘‘You sound so wise,’’ Leah said with a smile. ‘‘Almost as if you’d spent a lifetime believing in God.’’

‘‘I have. For I didn’t really live until I found Him.’’

Leah embraced her friend. ‘‘Thank you for coming. I think I might lose my mind if not for you.’’

‘‘We will keep each other strong,’’ Helaina said. ‘‘We look to the only light that matters—the true light.’’

Leah looked back to the skies. ‘‘They’re out there . . . somewhere . . . under the northern lights. And they’re thinking of us—hoping to see us again, just as we hope for them to come home.’’

‘‘And we won’t give up hope,’’ Helaina whispered. ‘‘Because they won’t give up.’’

Leah thought of her babies and of the comfort they had already offered her. God had a way of loving His children through other people. He had sent her Helaina, a woman Leah had once considered her enemy. A woman she now called friend.

‘‘Nothing happens by chance,’’ she murmured. ‘‘Not even this.’’

‘‘Especially not this,’’ Helaina replied, looking to the brilliant display of lights. ‘‘I think the aurora is God’s way of reminding us that He’s still in control—that we aren’t forgotten. That they . . . aren’t forgotten.’’

Leah felt strength anew. ‘‘I think you’re right.’’ She smiled and warmth spread throughout her body. ‘‘No . . . I know you’re right.’’

TRACIE PETERSON is a popular speaker and bestselling author who has written more than seventy books, both historical and contemporary fiction. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.