Chapter Thirty-Three

In Mishalariah's Chamber

Mishalariah fidgeted with the Ayin before clearing her throat. “Spirit?”

“Yes?”

“I am grateful for the mission you have given to us.”

Spirit cocked his head to one side. “But…?”

Her chest rose and fell as she released a long, dissatisfied sigh.

Spirit crossed his legs and shifted his weight in the blue velvet chair. “The children are wonderful. Aren’t they?”

Mishalariah’s eyes widened and her head bobbed wildly in agreement. “The ideas you give us to teach are remarkable.” She smiled as she looked down at the Ayin. “They aren’t just remarkable; they’re amazing. Like the Cain and Able Bible study. We told the children to create a collage of a sacrifice they would give if they had been in their place. It had to be an offering of what they already owned, or something they wished they could have.” She swiped right across the Ayin’s surface and then held it up for him to see. “Look. Aren’t they beautiful?”

Spirit leaned in close and nodded. “Show me the Ezekiel lesson. The one where the rivers of water are flowing from the temple.”

“Oh, yes! I almost forgot!” She swiped left, then right, then left again. “Here it is. The children are taking turns reading through the chapter. Every time they read the word ‘water’, they have to take a drink.”

Spirit’s eyes glistened. “They will remember that for the rest of their lives.” Then he tilted his head and squinted slightly. “What song is that?”

“It’s called Living Water, by Cross Movement. We thought it fit the theme.”

Spirit nodded. “I like that very much.”

Mishalariah swiped left several times. “Do you remember the Bible study from Exodus 17?”

“Let me see it again.”

She turned the Ayin around. “Look. The children are re-enacting the scene with the swords they drew and cut out themselves. Every time Moses put his arms down, the Israelites started losing the battle. And every time his arms are lifted up, they started winning.”

Spirit’s smile stretched across his broad face. “Another lesson they will remember forever.”

“And the Christmas play.” Mishalariah laid her hand on her breast. “Promises, Promises. Who says children can’t learn scripture?”

Spirit turned his head and gazed through the doorway, out into the darkness. “Children as young as five once memorized the whole of the Torah.”

Mishalariah beamed. “That’s why we love that play. The ending requires each child to memorize one of your promises.”

Spirit leaned back and swiveled back and forth in the chair. "Do you remember which ones?"

Mishalariah smiled, nodded, and closed her eyes. "John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

"I love that one."

"John 14:2-3 In my father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

"That's very true."

"Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, 'Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.'"

"Also, true," Spirit said, laughing.

"Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

"I am your provider."

"Luke 11:9 So, I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

“Wasn't that the scripture on your wedding invitations?"

Mishalariah continued reciting as if she did not hear. "James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." She took a short breath. "John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."

Spirit leaned forward. "You have no idea how much the children will benefit from learning these things."

Mishalariah opened her eyes. "That's what’s bothering me. What if she teaches them something wrong?"

"Didn't she attend bible classes at the Harty Bible School?"

"We only studied Genesis. She dropped out right in the middle of Exodus." Mishalariah shrugged. "It's hopeless; she gets so distracted. I mean, right now, she… we are following your lead, but I am afraid she will become emboldened to deliver her own truths and not yours."

"Why do you suspect that?"

"Well—"

"Go on." Spirit’s eyes softened. "You can confess anything to me without fear."

Mishalariah covered her face with her hands. "She didn't tell the truth. When her sales manager asked why she was having so much success in her engagements, she told him exactly what he wanted to hear."

"What is the truth, Mishalariah?"

"The truth is you empower her. You give her knowledge. You give her favor." Mishalariah gazed up at him, her eyes wide with awe. "People melt in her hands because of you. Peace follows her wherever she goes because of you."

"Why do you think she held back?"

Mishalariah shook her head. "She has no faith in humans. And even she, herself, is obsessed with worldly things."

"Aren't you both busy with worldly things? The things you produce are quite amazing."

"That's just it! I don't want to worry about worldly things. I could care less about writing code or delivering automation systems! What does that have to do with anything?" She pouted. "I can see already how people could take her ideas and twist them for evil purposes."

Spirit smiled. "It is the desire of her heart, Misha. Be patient. The time will come for you to have the desires of your heart too."

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