When two siblings meet to discuss life, they realize through a recurring dream what God is calling them to do.

Sitting hunched at a table in the back of the diner during the breakfast rush, Ben eyed the door, wanting to escape. “Well, this is dumb.”

Ava shrugged. “What can we do? We promised Mom. One hour a month.”

Ben raked his fingers through his hair. “Yeah. I know. I was there. Look, I may be your kid brother, but I’m not an idiot.”

“Fine. So, let’s talk. What’s new?”

He planted his elbows on the table. “As you know, I’m still working in construction. Fifty-plus hours a week. My back hurts. Diana left and took the dog. Now you go.”

“I’m sorry, I—”

He gripped the steaming cup of coffee and glared.

“O-kay. Well, let’s see.” Ava exhaled. “I keep having the same dream. It’s weird.”

“Let me guess. Someone is chasing you through the woods, and you fall down.”

Ava picked at the straw wrapper while her soda fizzed. “No. I’m trapped in a hallway with one door I’m terrified to open. The walls start to close in, and I just stand there.”

“Well, I’m no expert, but I’d say you’re afraid of what’s behind that door. Like maybe you’re afraid to get a real job, but you should, since your drawings aren’t selling.”

“Paintings, and thanks a lot.” Ava sat back and crossed her arms.

Ben smirked. “What? Do you want a sticker, or do you need me to buy one of your paintings to hang on my fridge?”

“I want you to be supportive. On my side.” Her lips thinned. “Whether we like it or not, we’re all the family we’ve got now.”

“That’s depressing. A starving artist for a sister. Maybe that’s why Mom wanted us to keep in touch. She knew I’d have the funds to bail you out. To pay your rent or car insurance.”

“Or maybe she knew I could bail you out, remind you of where you came from, and that money isn’t everything, to pray for you and—”

His chair scraped the floor as he pushed back. “Here we go,” he said, eyeing his watch. “That took about five minutes before you threw religion in my face. And yes, I know, it’s not about religion, it’s about a relationship. I remember that, too.”

Ava reached for her jacket that hung on the back of the chair. “This is a mistake. I can’t take this after losing Mom and—” As she stood to leave, her purse slipped from her hands, and loose change spilled out and scattered across the crumbs on the diner floor.

Ben knelt to pick up the coins, his sister biting her bottom lip as the tears came quickly.

“Ava, come on.” He spoke softly, handing her a quarter.

She stared at the coin, finally smiling. “Remember how you used to share your quarters with me at the arcade at the old mall?”

“Yeah.”

She wiped her cheeks. “How did we get here?”

“Well, I drove my pickup, and I’m pretty sure you drove that old van that needs a new muffler.”

She chuckled, and Ben grinned as they both sat.

“I mean, how did life turn out this way?” she asked. “Didn’t we both pray? Didn’t we both have plans for more? You and Diana were going to have a house full of kids, adopt if you couldn’t have your own. ‘Take up an entire pew,’ you used to say.”

“And weren’t you going to run off to the big city and make movies that made people cry? ‘Help them to see God in all the chaos,’ or something like that.”

They sat quietly as Ava wiped the mascara from under her eyes.

Finally, Ben leaned forward. “I think I figured out your dream. You need to do what God wants you to do, Ava. What He created you to do. You’ve played it safe in the hallway for far too long. It’s time to move, to start doing the hard stuff.”

“That’s funny.”

“What?”

“I just remembered. You were in the hallway with me.”

“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6 WEB.)

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“Time to Move” is published in the February 2026 issue of The Outreacher Christian Magazine (www.theoutreacher.org). I’m so blessed! Thank You, Lord! Also, a big shout-out to the amazing editor, Julie Schultz, for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful ministry!