Love, Forgiveness and the Armor of God- January
Story Blog, January 1, 2023
The preparation begins. Preparation for a one on one meeting. A meeting with an adversary so deep into itself that they barely notice the life sitting next to them. It’s been years since they shared this time alone, together. And it was frightening. At least frightening for one of them.
As for Nova, she was excited for this meeting to take place. It couldn’t take place any quicker as far as she was concerned. She had an agenda, she had a list of to do items longer than a monthly grocery receipt. And that’s not all. She finally had control, the one thing she’d been longing for her whole life. Control of a puppet she could have fun jerking around as much as she wanted to. There would be nobody else to take the attention away from her. Nobody to take the time, her precious time away. She was finally going to have what she’d been waiting for her entire life. Her niece, her long lost niece whom she raised for her no good lazy brother. Her incompetent brother who abandoned his only child because he had the audacity to join the military and die in a battle. Yes, he fought for his country, and yes he died a hero, but none the less he abandoned his child. And the nieces mother? She died giving birth to her. That has to say something. As far as Nova figured, God took the mom before she even had a chance. She would’ve messed up being a parent for sure. Nova never liked her sister-in-law. Another poor choice of her brothers.
Nova was confused as why her niece didn’t get along with her. She was a very ungrateful child. Didn’t she realize all that Nova did for her? They hadn’t talked for years, except for the random holiday calls that always ended up in yelling and name calling. No, this was great, finally her niece came to her senses and realized just how great Nova was, and how much she needed Nova. Nova raised her like her own. She had most of the control, but her Nova’s husband at the time, interfered quite often. And then there were her friends, but the worst was her boyfriend, who then became her husband. Who did he think he was, taking her away? Nova finally got rid of her husband, but try as she might, she couldn’t get rid of her nieces husband. In fact, he took her away, as far as he could. But now, now Nova had another chance. She was older and wiser and prepared. In just four months Nova would have her niece back in her clutches.
Hanging up the phone, Rose had mixed emotions. What did she just do? She committed to spend time, a length of time, alone, with the woman who made her life unbearable. That was until God saved the day and brought her knight in shining armor to swoop her away. Her Prince Charming to take her away from the evil step mother. She tried several times to connect with her Aunt. She thought she was strong and ready to put the past behind her and share a relationship Rose so desperately wanted and needed. But every single time, her aunt would say or do something that brought all the old feelings out. Something that triggered feelings of anger and anxiety and hurt all over again. Her aunt brought out the worst in her. She’d hang up the phone defeated and doomed. Doomed from the same old feelings of self doubt and failure she’d had growing up. But now all of that is truly in the past.
Christ renewed and refreshed her into knowing that she is a meaningful somebody that is loved as she is, and accepted. Rose had grown so much, and had learned more about love than she ever thought possible. In fact, Rose learned enough about the Love of God to know that it was time to share that with her aunt. Something she’d tried to share with her before, but Rose was laughed at and shamed because of it. But this was the year. Not that Rose was any stronger or smarter. At least not on her own. But with God on her side, the Holy Spirit leading her, and Jesus Christ in her heart, she knew it was time. But she also knew she had to prepare. She had to put on the full armor. So it began. For the next four months the training would need to be intense.