22
" She sighed. "I don't know, Father, how do you get over someone who's held your heart in their hands for so long? And what do you do when they constantly turn your love away, leaving you battered and bruised?" A sob broke free from her throat to pierce the darkness.
His arm stiffened, paralyzed over her shoulder.
Marcy's voice rose, quiet and strong, to counter her daughter's pain. "You run to the arms of the Almighty, Lizzie. 'Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.' That's the only place our hearts are safe, the only place they can heal. "
― Julie Lessman , A Passion Denied (The Daughters of Boston, #3)
24
" And I would love a cup of coffee, if you don’t mind, delivered to Mr. Turner’s office?” He had the audacity to give her a wink on the way out. “Black if you will.” Oh, I will. She stared as he disappeared down the hall, stunned as always by the bold confidence of Devin Caldwell, the runt in the sixth grade whose life changed forever when he started to grow. “Black as night,” she muttered, rattled by his good looks and towering height, which were exceeded only by his cockiness. “Right around the eye . . .” Megan "
― Julie Lessman , Surprised by Love (The Heart of San Francisco, #3)
31
" There’s nothing wrong with focusing on your dreams instead—both Alli and I did that before we met Jamie and Nick. But the truth is, the main reason was because we’d been hurt and wanted to make sure it didn’t happen again.” She parked the teddy bear in Meg’s lap. “And fear is never the right motivation, Megs, so, yes, focus on your dreams. But you’re a beautiful girl on the threshold of womanhood, so don’t be surprised if God throws a monkey wrench in your plans.” “As long as the ‘wrench’ has nothing to do with a ‘monkey’ named Devin Caldwell,” Alli said with a scrunch of her nose. Meg grinned. “No, Al, monkeys are cute,” she said with a tilt of her head, employing a trace of French spunk along with the sass. She gave her sister a wink. “Our Mr. Caldwell is more of a baboon. "
― Julie Lessman , Surprised by Love (The Heart of San Francisco, #3)
37
" I want to give you my all, but I can't, because it doesn't belong to you. My body may crave your touch and I may want to give you mine, but that's not love, even if it seems like it at the time. True love always wants the best for each other, and although you may not agree, the best is only available through the hand of God. ... Which means, if you want a relationship with me, we'll be doing things God's way, not ours. "
― Julie Lessman , A Love Surrendered (Winds of Change, #3)
38
" Good men who believe in God, certainly, and that he sent his Son to save them, but no real passion for it. A sort of long-distance relationship comprised of church once a week and grace at dinner. But ... the good news is, all that can change if a man really loves a woman, which is what happened with Sean. Emma's faith ignited his, and to be honest, Annie, that's what I've been praying for with you and Steven. You have the kind of faith to set Steven's on fire, but it's going to require adherence to God's precepts to do it, which is another reason you have to be strong. "
― Julie Lessman , A Love Surrendered (Winds of Change, #3)