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For anyone who has ever been afraid of standing out, of speaking up, or of wishing for the impossible.
So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I have no pleasure in him. But we are not those who shrink back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved. HEBREWS 10:35-39
“May Ehyen guide us Shine upon us with grace Bring light to the darkness we face May Ehyen protect us In a world that will not be kind In darkness that seeks to blind Praise be to Ehyen As we say goodbye to day And hello to night.”
‘The well of water runs dry As we weep and as we mourn Bring peace in the drought Bring justice like a storm.’
Alive apart must be better than dead together.
I don’t know what good prayer will do me now, but I nod my head all the same, hoping Ehyen will hear the prayers of a palace satyr and a wingless fairy.
“May Ehyen be near us A constant friend in the fire A stronghold when we tire. May Ehyen’s faithfulness stay on us When we stumble and fall When we fear and withdraw. Praise be to Ehyen As we say goodbye to night And hello to day.”
When the right time comes… As beautiful as that thought is, I know it will always be too dangerous. Is it cruel to flirt with a fantasy? Because right now, sitting with him, I’d rather have this torturous temptation than no love at all.
This palace is nothing more than a cage full of monsters.
May Ehyen guide us Shine upon us with grace Bring light to the darkness we face
“We light for the night and the day as reminders of Ehyen’s faithfulness, His constant care and protection. And we fill the bowl—” He gestures to the empty, porcelain basin. “—as a symbol of our eagerness to not only hear His messages, but obey them.”
“I was taught that we don’t perform the rites to be rewarded, as if obedience is a bargaining chip. They are helpful reminders for when our faith wears thin. And I have seen His promises with your people fulfilled, even in times of trouble. So I have faith He will keep His promises in His timing and His ways.”
‘But Ehyen can command even the heart of a king.’
“He never forgets.”
“His patience does not run out.”
“Because I have seen Him bring good from the bad. He will do it again.”
We don’t perform the rites to be rewarded. They are helpful reminders for when our faith wears thin.
“May Ehyen hear my cry.” My voice cracks as I whisper. “And give me guidance. I await His leading.”
“May Ehyen guide me Shine upon me with grace Bring light to the darkness I face. May Ehyen protect me In a world that will not be kind In darkness that seeks to blind. Praise be to Ehyen As I say goodbye to day And hello to night.”
A symbol of Ehyen’s mercy and forgiveness. I don’t deserve either, if He offers them to me at all.
I don’t know what else to cling to, but as I repeat the prayers I had been taught, I begin to learn how to offer new words of my own.
“May Ehyen be near me A constant friend in the fire A stronghold when I tire. May Ehyen’s faithfulness stay on me When I stumble and fall When I fear and withdraw. Praise be to Ehyen As I say goodbye to night And hello to day.”
I assumed that what was best for me would be best for you. I expected blind obedience to a blind sinner. I am sorry. But please, forgive me, and help us, May Ehyen pour blessing upon you, Uncle Arsin
Jadon Greenlock was a rarity among his people, chosen to serve King Aleksander Lindholm because of his unique gift as a clairvoyant. Able to predict the future and interpret dreams, Jadon Greenlock had been a valuable servant for many years. Unfortunately, his dedication to the fairy rite of ‘Lighting for the Night’ violated the king’s order that no lights should be publicly lit after sunset. This edict was in place so that the fires lit atop the palace towers might shine the brightest in all of Florencia, without any competition or challenge. ‘Brighter than the stars,’ the king said in the
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And he showed me that Ehyen does work miracles. He will not fail you now.’
‘I’m so sorry, my dear girl, for the poor example I have been to you, for the unrighteous ways in which I have instructed you. But Ehyen’s mercy is greater still.’
‘Open your eyes Come see the sign In humility we wait In eagerness we pray We will joyfully obey Ehyen’s faithful ways.’
Perhaps Ehyen has placed you here for such a time as this, so that you do not need to do anything but have faith, and through you He will save the lives of many.”
‘But do not count yourself among the saved if you shrink back now. For there are still many in the palace who seek your destruction, even without your wings.’
There is only a choice that I must make. And whatever I choose will likely lead to my death.
“May Ehyen guide us Shine upon us with grace Bring light to the darkness we face. May Ehyen protect us In a world that will not be kind In darkness that seeks to blind. Praise be to Ehyen As we say goodbye to day And hello to night.”
“Open your eyes Come see the sign In humility we wait In eagerness we pray We will joyfully obey Ehyen’s faithful ways.”
“If I die, I die.”
There has been goodness in my life. Light in the darkness.
Bring peace in the drought, Bring justice like a storm.
Ehyen, please. Command his heart. Save us.
“It wasn’t luck, Roxana. I had long thought that it was. Or perhaps that it was my own power that led to blessings. But it wasn’t ever either of those things.”
“Miracle after miracle.” Uncle Arsin smiles softly. “And Ehyen was gracious enough to use you to demonstrate His mercy for all of us.”
Maybe Ehyen had never forgotten me. Even when I was trying to run away, He was working out the pieces to perfectly fit into His plan. He masterfully twisted the evil deeds of men to His will. And then He gave me the faith, the courage, to risk everything and do what needed to be done.
He saved me so that I might save the lives of many.
Faith is having courage, even when everything seems impossible, isn’t it? Even when wishes don’t come true. Even when pain is the path to salvation. “In darkness we gain a deeper understanding of light’s brilliance. And I found the courage to open my eyes, to see that I was never alone in the dark.”
If we are faithless, He remains faithful. 2 TIMOTHY 2:13
And the biggest, biggest, biggest thank you, with all of the gratitude in my heart, goes to my Jesus. Thank you, God, for orchestrating the story of Esther to show off Your sovereignty, faithfulness, and glory! How you used the fears and courage of a young girl thousands of years ago to impact my life today. Without you, the Great Storyteller, I would be lost, and I am in awe that I get to imitate a smidgen of Your creativity. Thank you for Your sacrifice on the cross, for redeeming my heart, for being the God of the impossible.
