Samuel sat upright, hands folded, breathing evenly whenever he remembered to notice his breathing. He answered what needed answering. He refused what should be refused. He prayed silently when no one was speaking and sometimes when they were.

The officers did not know what to do with someone who was neither rebellious nor broken.

One of them eventually asked, not unkindly, “Do you really believe all this is worth losing your life over?”

Samuel met his eyes.

“I believe it’s the truth,” he said.

The officer looked away first.

Hours passed. Perhaps more than hours. Samuel could not tell. But his thoughts did not unravel. Each time fear rose, he brought it back to what he knew instead of what he imagined.

Jehovah sees. Jehovah remembers. Jehovah is not late.

Relevant scriptures: Luke 21:12-19.