by Robin Helm
David had never been a “fire-and-brimstone” preacher, but this morning he had presented the plan of salvation and had referred to the Scriptures regarding hell, which God had originally created for the Devil and his angels, as a final destination for those who rejected Christ. After he finished his sermon and prayed, he stepped in front of the pulpit and asked if anyone would like to come forward for assurance of salvation, prayer, or counseling, and several members of the congregation came to rest on the kneeling benches to pray.
As he stood alone at the front of the church, a movement to the side caught his eye. He turned his head just in time to see a small blur hurling herself at his legs.
He knelt to hold his younger daughter, who was crying as if her heart would break. Xander moved quickly to her side, kneeling beside her with his hand on her back, and Roark took his place beside David.
“El, darling, what’s wrong?” he whispered in her ear.
She wailed loudly, “Daddy, I don’t want to go to hell!”
“Sweetheart, you’re very young. I don’t think you’re on the way to hell quite yet.”
“Yes, I am! I’ve told lies, and I’ve been bad! I’ve disobeyed you and Mommy! I’m going to hell!” she practically shouted, her voice breaking in her grief.
Elizabeth understands, though she is but five years old, Xander realized. She knows that she is a sinner, and that she needs a Redeemer. She has reached the time of being held accountable at a younger age than most.
David, looking up to a sea of amused faces, embraced his child and stood to his feet, holding her in his arms. Roark rose to his feet beside the pastor.
The other angels, as well as the humans, were smiling at the antics of Elizabeth, but as Xander stood to his feet, he could not force a smile he did not feel. It was as if a hand tightly gripped his heart, squeezing it to the point of pain. He could not bear her tears, and he fought fiercely to control his thoughts. Exposing his weakness to this entire body of guardians was unacceptable.
“Tom,” David said to the chairman of the deacons, “would you mind coming up front and dismissing the service with prayer?” He looked out over the crowd of believers and added, “I think I have something I must discuss with my daughter immediately. I am her pastor, too.”
Xander was glad to have an excuse to leave. He and Roark hurried to follow the pastor and his child.
David strode quickly down the aisle to his office, carrying his tearful child with him. When they were in privacy, he pulled Elizabeth onto his lap and kissed her cheek, holding her closely to him. Xander stood behind her, stroking her curls.
“My El, what is it that you want? You’ve told me what you don’t want. Now tell me what you want.”
“I want Jesus in my heart,” she sobbed.
“El, Jesus loves you, but He doesn’t want you to accept Him out of fear. He wants you to love Him.”
“I do love Jesus,” she said earnestly, the tears running down her cheeks, looking into her father’s eyes. “You pray with me every night and read me stories from the Bible. You taught me that Jesus died for me, and I don’t want to make him unhappy anymore because of my sins. I want to be like you, and Mommy, and Janna. I want Jesus to be my Savior, too.”
“Then pray to Jesus and tell Him that, El. It will make Him very happy.”
Father and daughter bowed their heads together, and Xander beamed as Elizabeth was born anew into the family of God. Roark smiled and put his hand on Xander’s shoulder, sharing his happiness at his charge’s decision. The salvation of one’s charge was always a momentous occasion for a guardian, the most important moment in that person’s lifetime, and the beginning of years of service.
Xander thought of the words penned by Luke, the physician, “I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents,” and he knew that there was a celebration in heaven, as well as in the sanctuary, over Elizabeth’s decision.
“El, you are now my sister in Christ as well as my daughter. I have something I’ve been keeping for you just for this special day,” said David tenderly. Her father set her on her feet, stood, and led her by the hand to his desk. He opened a drawer and took out a small box which he handed to his child.
She reached for the box, smiling in anticipation. As she removed the lid, she looked up at her father, her face radiant.
“I love it, Daddy,” Elizabeth said, lifting the garnet cross and gold chain from the cotton. “It’s just like Janna’s. Can I wear it now?”
“Certainly, my angel. Let me help you with it.” He fastened it around her neck, and they left his office hand-in-hand, Xander and Roark shadowing them. Elizabeth was ready to celebrate her first Easter in the family of God. She was happy once more.
~~~~~~~~~~
The holy angels were rejoicing, but there was no promise of joy that day for the fallen ones. Elizabeth Bennet was still very much alive, and she was now a servant of Jehovah God.
Nyx knew that he must redouble his efforts, and quickly, or he would suffer the same fate as his predecessor.
The new underprince convened a meeting in the strip mall with all of his underlords and powers.
“Hadrian!” called out Nyx in a voice of authority. “Come before me.”
A mighty demon who was as large as Nyx dropped to one knee before him. Hadrian was the essence of all that was dark.
“Hadrian, you are now my captain. I have several plans for eliminating our problem, and I require your assistance.”
“As always, I am completely at your disposal, Prince Nyx,” Hadrian answered in a rough voice.
“I would expect nothing less. Astra, Blade, and Than, I have need of your skills. The rest of you will soon receive your assignments. For now you are dismissed.”
The demons scattered throughout the dominion to cause destruction and strife while awaiting their orders.
Chapter 9
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Spring, 1998
Southern Association of Christian Schools
Elementary Fine Arts Festival
Greenville, South Carolina
Xander, Niall, Roark, and Alexis tracked their charges from room to room, forming a hedge of protection around them. Elizabeth’s pastel yellow dress stood out in the crowd, making her instantly recognizable and easily followed. The angels knew that if it was not difficult for them to see her, it was also no problem for the dark ones. Xander well understood that Nyx would be waiting for any opportunity to harm Elizabeth, especially after the fate that had befallen Vega.
Xander took pleasure in listening to Elizabeth’s performances at this annual event. She had continued her piano and voice lessons with her parents, and had progressed so well that she was now competing in several categories. Lynne, David, and Janna were all at the Festival with Elizabeth, along with many other students, teachers, and parents from Peniel Christian Academy and sixty other schools. The annual event attracted more than fifteen hundred people, more than one thousand of whom participated in art, music, speech, spelling, Bible, and science fair competitions. Academic testing had been completed a month earlier at each participating school, and the results were to be announced at the end of the day, along with the winners of the day’s competitions. The eight best performers in the music and speech categories would be showcased in the closing assembly.
Elizabeth was thoroughly enjoying herself; therefore, Xander was content as well. She had already sung with the choir and the ensemble, and they were now weaving through the crowd to the solo female vocal performance room for her age group. Lynne and Elizabeth waited just outside the door for her summons from the judges while the room filled with parents and students from Peniel and the other Christian schools. Janna and her father had gone in earlier to secure a seat on the front row as Roark and Alexis had joined the other guardians standing around the perimeter of the room.
“Mommy, I’m so nervous. There are so many people in there,” Elizabeth whispered anxiously to Lynne after peeking into the room.
“El, you have nothing to be worried about. Everyone in there wants you to do well. I’ll be with you, just as we’ve practiced so many times. You know every note perfectly. Just relax and enjoy sharing your music with everyone.”
“Mommy, will you pray with me?”
“Sure, Sweetheart. Hold my hands.”
Lynne knelt, holding Elizabeth’s hands in hers as they bowed their heads. Xander and Niall placed their hands on the shoulders of the mother and daughter. “Dear Lord, thank You for Elizabeth and her gifts. Please help her not to be afraid, Father, as she sings, but help her to glorify You as she shares her song. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
“Amen. Thanks, Mommy,” said Elizabeth, her brown eyes shining with confidence.
As Lynne stood, the hostess came to the door and motioned for them to enter. Lynne handed her the judging sheets and music, and she walked to the piano at the front of the room and seated herself. The two guardians took their places beside their charges. Xander had, of course, drawn attention already that day, but those protectors who had not yet seen him raised their hands to salute him in greeting. He returned the gesture, and then stepped behind Elizabeth. The other guardians saw the little girl bathed in the light of the angel who towered behind her, and, to her human audience, she looked as bright as a sunbeam in her yellow dress. Her dark hair, which had never been cut, had been pulled back with a yellow bow and hung in loose curls to her waist.
Lynne placed Elizabeth’s selection on the piano’s music stand and smiled encouragingly at her daughter, who stood beside the piano. Elizabeth returned her mother’s smile and faced the audience just as the judges looked up and nodded for her to begin.
“Hello. I’m Elizabeth Bennet from Peniel Christian School, and I will be singing ‘Kyrie Eleison,’ one of my original compositions, arranged by my father, David Bennet.” She glanced at her mother who began to play the introduction.
As Elizabeth started to sing, a silent stillness settled over the room. Her voice soared with perfect clarity, spanning three octaves, touching each note with just the right dynamic level, and enthralling everyone in the room. Those who had not heard Elizabeth sing before had never heard a child sing with such power and range, yet such tenderness. Her song was a plea for God’s mercy, a prayer, and everyone in the room felt that they had been in His presence by the time she sang the final note. Her face was expressive, with her glistening eyes and double dimple. It was impossible not to be touched.
As the last note faded away, there was a pause, a moment in which no one moved.
Xander wanted to hug her, to tell her that she was wonderful, but there were too many eyes watching him. He instead satisfied himself with laying his hands on her small shoulders and looking down at her with a smile. She is so special, so beautiful, inside and out.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, the judges rose and began to applaud vigorously as the rest of the room joined them. Elizabeth bowed and ran to her father and Janna.
“Did you like it, Daddy? Did I sing it right?” she asked David as he hugged her tightly.
“El, it was just wonderful! I’m so proud of you,” he answered with tears in his eyes.
“Can I have a hug, too, El? You did a great job!” Janna told her little sister, holding out her arms. Elizabeth beamed as Janna held her.
Lynne made her way over to her family, and they walked, together with their unseen escorts, down the crowded hall. Their next destination was the room for piano solo competition.
Again, David and Janna went in to find seats as Lynne waited outside the room with Elizabeth to help her stay focused.
“Mommy, I think I’m nervous again.” Elizabeth’s voice trembled slightly as she looked up at her mother. “What if I mess up?”
“El, you know this piece backwards and forwards. You have prepared well, and God will honor your work.” Lynne again knelt to embrace her daughter. “Even if you don’t play it perfectly, we’ll all still love you, you know,” she teased with a grin.
Yes, we will, Xander thought, and then quickly stole a glance at Niall to see if he had been listening. Niall showed no reaction. The wall was suddenly very interesting to him.
Elizabeth giggled at her mother’s statement. “Mommy, you’re being silly. I know you’ll love me anyhow.”
“Then there is no need to be afraid, is there?” asked her mother.
“No, I guess not. I’ll just do my best, right?”
“That’s all you can do, Sweetie.”
When the hostess stepped to the door and called for them, Lynne gave her Elizabeth’s music, led her daughter to the front of the room, and took the seat that David had saved for her.
Elizabeth stood by the piano, looking alone and very small. She lifted her chin with determination, smiled sweetly, and announced, “Hello, I’m Elizabeth Bennet, and I’ll be playing ‘Second Arabesque’ by Debussy.” She and her mother had chosen the piece because it was playful, the notes were within the reach of her small hand span, and it was written by Elizabeth’s favorite Impressionistic composer. Oddly enough, Lynne had played the piece during her college years, twenty years before. Now I’ll hear how it should be played, Lynn thought. The teacher becomes the pupil.
Xander, standing to her side away from the audience, placed a calming hand on her shoulder. He anticipated watching her hands move gracefully over the keyboard.
Elizabeth sat on the piano bench with her hands in her lap, focused herself with a silent prayer, and began to play. As soon as her hands touched the keys, she was lost in the music. It was as if there were no other people in the room. The music flowed and danced under her childish hands until the final pianissimo octaves faded away. She sat quietly for a few moments, still existing in the other world to which she traveled every time she played. Finally she rose and bowed to the audience.
The applause was thunderous, and Elizabeth’s face seemed to glow with joy. She ran to her family, and as they were hugging her, the judges approached them. One of them reached out his hand to David and introduced himself as Dr. Edward Johnson, a faculty member of the music department at Converse College in Spartanburg.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, we are all three in agreement. Your daughter is extraordinarily gifted. We have heard that she sings as well as she plays. Have you thought about engaging master teachers for her?” Dr. Johnson asked.
David and Lynne looked at each other, slightly embarrassed.
“Well, my husband has been giving her voice lessons, and I’ve been teaching her piano and music theory for the past two years, but, frankly, we’re nearly at the end of our capabilities. However, we cannot afford to pay for master teachers,” Lynne replied.
“We know of several people that we would like to contact on behalf of your daughter, if you would allow us to do so. I’m certain that something could be worked out as far as securing a sponsor to pay for voice and piano lessons for Elizabeth.”
“I really don’t know what to say. We are very grateful for your help,” answered David.
“Could we have your contact information?”
David nodded at his wife.
“Certainly,” said Lynne, scribbling on the back of a judging form she had in her bag.
“You’ll be hearing from us shortly,” Dr. Johnson said as he extended his hand to her and then her husband in farewell.
~~~~~~~~~~
After the competitions for the day had ended, Lynne and Elizabeth went to check one of the showcase lists that had been posted throughout the facility while Janna and David went to the overflowing auditorium to find seats for all of them. Lynne was astounded to see that her daughter had been selected to perform both her vocal piece and her piano selection. Children as young as Elizabeth were not usually showcased, and in the ten years she had been bringing students, including Janna, to the Festival, she had never seen any student showcase
d twice in solo work.
Xander was so proud of Elizabeth that he thought he would burst with the joy of it.
Lynne controlled her astonishment and looked down with a broad smile at Elizabeth’s upturned, questioning face.
“Elizabeth, you get to perform your piano and vocal pieces for everyone! That’s wonderful. I know that you’ll enjoy sharing your music with everybody.” Lynne knew that she must be positive and show no trace of her own anxiety to her daughter.
“In front of all those people, Mommy? Both pieces?” Elizabeth’s eyes were round and huge in her small face.
Niall leaned in to whisper in Lynne’s ear, Remember the Barbie that she wants.
Lynne thought for a moment, and then cupped Elizabeth’s chin with her hand and said, “El, I know that you’ve never performed in front of this many strangers before. I think you deserve a special prize. If you will agree to share your music with these people, you and I will go shopping together for that Barbie you’ve been asking for.”
Elizabeth’s expression immediately changed from fear to speculation. “Really, Mommy? The Ariel Barbie? You promise?”
“Absolutely. I promise. Pinky swear.” Lynne’s eyes twinkled as she extended her pinky finger to her daughter.
Elizabeth grinned and entwined her pinky with her mother’s. “Pinky swear.”
~~~~~~~~~~
At the beginning of the closing assembly the testing winners were announced, and Elizabeth placed first in each of the academic tests she had taken, which was no surprise to the group from Peniel Christian Academy. They all knew she had been so bored in kindergarten that, after a few weeks, Mrs. Miles had moved her to first grade. The summer after she finished first grade, Lynne had homeschooled her through second grade, and she had done the same the following two summers. Consequently, she was now in fifth grade, though she was only seven years old. Elizabeth had competed against fifth and sixth graders in the five tests she had taken.
