“At that time you were without Christ,… you had no hope and were without God in the world.” Eph. 2:12.

“With the ropes of men*
(Or “the ropes of kindness,” like those of a parent.)

I kept drawing them,
with the cords of love;

And I was to them like one lifting a yoke from their jaws,

And I gently brought food to each one.” Hos. 11:4.

For even as The Christ has said: “No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him,

and I will resurrect him on the last day.” John 6:44.

*

But: “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for assistance,
Who rely on horses,
Who trust in war chariots because they are numerous,
And in warhorses because they are mighty.

But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
And they do not search for Jehovah.” Isa. 31:1.

*

“This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel:

“I, Jehovah, am your God,

The One teaching you to benefit yourself,
The One guiding you in the way you should walk.

If only you would pay attention to my commandments!

Then your peace would become just like a river
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Isa. 48:17, 18.

For “the wisdom from above is

first of all pure,
then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, not hypocritical.

Moreover, the fruit of righteousness is sown in peaceful conditions for those who are making peace.” James 3:17, 18.

So, “welcome one another, just as the Christ also welcomed you.” Rom. 15:7.

*

Octavia, Vie, could not cease to be amazed at her ability to retain, after memorizing, exact texts, even of some length. And these verses she meditated upon while sipping her tea had her dripping tears into her cup. For her insides were conflicted. These emotions she felt were long ago buried as she lived each day hoping that Andy would see her as a changed woman.

Octavia looked into the living room of her small Cape Cod style home with its light blue, green, and yellow flowered pillows tossed upon beige canvas slip-covered furniture–since the season was now Spring. In the Fall, all she’d need to do is remove the covers to display the burgundy swede loveseat and sofa she was so fond of.

Then her attention was caught by a bee buzzing around the back screen door opened to allow a morning breeze to help clear her mind. Octavia remembered her past fear of bees too… She was no longer burdened with allergies or worried about bee stings…

Then, beyond her kitchen window, her focus fell on her small plane. Once afraid of heights, she learned to fly, since her living assignment wasn’t within galloping distance or a short car ride from her beloved. Every few months she would fly over to lunch with mutual friends and keep an eye on Andy who was still a bit distant from her.

Yet, the days, months, then years were lovely. Life amazing as she awaited Andy’s return of her love. She’d spent the time learning so much: cooking, sewing, snorkelling, horse-back riding.

Octavia placed her cup and saucer in the farmstyled sink and wiped away the scone crumbs from the high mosaic topped kitchen table.

Octavia needed to clear the air with Aria. But this her heart refused to do, because now it seems that Andy is not to be hers…

Octavia flew out of her kitchen, letting the screen door bang behind her as she fell upon her hammock and loudly cried to the heavens:

“I thought you promised to “satisfy the desire of every living thing*”!… Am I not living to you?”… To be continued…