Story/Unsorted/Proselyte.rtf

{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Constantia;}{\f1\fnil Constantia;}}
{\colortbl ;\red46\green46\blue46;}
{\*\generator Msftedit 5.41.21.2510;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\sa150\sl0\slmult0\cf1\f0\fs24 The young proselyte finishes her chores at an unhurried pace and, finding nothing else to do, slips into the Grove for her daily prayers. She brings her Book of Scripture to pore over its pages while hoping for His Voice to give her some kind of insight into the dense, unattractive text. She pauses before entering. Although she doesn't see anyone, she's almost certain there's already someone in the Grove. The normally stagnant swamp air is filled with this flittering aura of whimsy and joy. \i It's embarrassing to pray in front of others\i0 , she thought. \i Worse, it's embarrassing to intrude upon another in prayer. I'll...To my room, I guess.\i0\par
Before turning, she caught the sharp eyes of the young woman, resuming her upright posture after a presumably long time kneeling before the altar.\par
"Coye. Come kneel here," she motioned beside her.\par
Coye had never seen this woman before, so she was a little impressed she knew her name. The other women tend to refer to her by title alone. "Yes, Sister," Coye kneeled directly in front of the altar.\par
"I will pray a blessing over you."\par
Coye's heart fluttered, but she kept her head to the ground and eyes closed. The woman's voice was gentle, but she spoke with authority. Coye wondered who she might be, so personal and generous compared to the other women. She felt at ease yet fraught with tension all at once, uncertain as to the meaning of her unusual kindness. She was also reminded of the paranoia of leaving herself in such a vulnerable stance around the strangers of the Grove, which was ridiculous, she knows. \par
The woman's blessing changed tone suddenly as she dropped her voice to a furtive murmur.\par
"Coye, be still. You \i must\i0  listen."\par
She resumed praying.\par
"Consecrate Coye for Your Divine Purpose. "Every heart is consumed with wickedness and greed. "I know," she dropped her voice again darkly, "my many black spots which will soon tear me from You." Ice pierced through Coye's heart with those words, but she remained motionless, desperately listening for what follows. Almost inaudibly, the woman added, "and not only me." Clearing her throat, she continued. \par
May we be like the child," the woman's small, delicate fingers brushed across Coye's shoulders, "innocent in deed. For we know the child alone will be spared. \par
Finally, bless her with many gifts." The woman discreetly slipped something small into Coye's robe pocket. "May she look for Your Direction in her precious copy of Your Scriptures. Indeed, may she read it ceaselessly. so she may find Your Instructions"\f1\par
}