Her ankle-length purple gauze dress danced gently in the soft breeze as she walked down the sun-dappled dirt road. The golden light bathed her brown eyes and highlighted her slightly deep café au lait complexion. Though her face was neutral, a sense of calm had settled within her. She was neither sad nor happy, simply adrift in a sea of uncertainty.
The old chapel, a solitary sentinel on the road, was her sanctuary. It was the only place where her mind could find peace, even when her bedroom offered no solace. As she approached, she ascended the steps and turned the brass doorknob.
Despite the age of the exterior, the inside of the chapel exuded a timeless charm. The wooden pews, polished and steady, bore no signs of wear. Soft, ambient light filtered through stained glass windows, casting vibrant hues of red, gold, and amber. These windows depicted scenes of angels and saints, their colors as vivid and their details as sharp as if they had been crafted yesterday.
The walls were painted a soft, creamy white, providing a perfect backdrop for the rich autumnal tones of the stained glass. Delicate sconces holding flickering candles lined the walls, adding a gentle, warm light that complemented the natural sunlight streaming in.
At the front of the chapel, the altar was a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Made from dark, polished wood, it featured intricate carvings of vines and leaves, symbolizing growth and renewal. A simple, yet elegant, white cloth draped over it, with a golden chalice and a beautifully bound Bible resting on top.
The floor was a mosaic of polished stone tiles, arranged in a pattern that led your eyes towards the altar. Each step she took echoed softly, adding to the serene and contemplative atmosphere of the space.
In the corners of the chapel, there were small niches with statues of saints, each one illuminated by a soft spotlight, highlighting their serene expressions and detailed features. The air was filled with a faint scent of incense, adding to the sense of peace and reverence.
It was a place where the past and present blended seamlessly, creating a timeless sanctuary for reflection and prayer. Exactly where she needed to be.
As she sat down in one of the pews, a deep breath filled her lungs. Her gaze fell upon the podium that stood behind the altar. A spirited gospel song, sung by a soulful voice, filled the air. Unexpectedly, a figure materialized before the altar. It was an older man with dark skin, brown eyes, and black hair, dressed in a neat suit. Behind him, a choir stood in perfect formation. To her astonishment, figures began to appear in the pews, as if summoned by the music.
They were all singing along with the older man and the choir. The song they were singing brought tears to her eyes. She bowed her head as tears continued to fall. She felt a strange warmth around her. She smiled a bit, while tears still streamed down her face. The older man, the choir, and the people singing kept repeating the chorus of the song, getting louder and louder.
When they finally ended the song, everyone clapped, cheered, and shouted. Soon, all was quiet, and she was there by herself. The strange feeling of warmth was still around her, holding her close.
“I know that you've likely gotten tired of me saying the same thing to you,” a voice whispered in her mind and soul. “You've asked me questions. You've given me suggestions about your worship. You've cried, begged, yelled, and gone to sleep angry. You wake up the next day sad, only half-listening to me and doing any devotion with half interest because you are still sad and angry.”
“You tell me time and again that you don't have any faith left. You still yell, beg, and cry. You've put yourself down, criticized yourself for your shortcomings. You dwell on what you could have done differently in your life. You criticize yourself for the choices you made. You've asked me to have your family put you away. You've even gone as far as to say that if I allowed human beings to turn back time, you would have erased your own existence.”
“And yet, I still say... Have Faith.”
She sighed as tears continued to fall from her eyes.
“I know why you like the song that you've heard. Because it gives reassurance even though you say you don't have any faith left. Yet, I still say... Have Faith.”
“I will always be here for you. I am walking with you. I know that you are having a hard time with all that is going on in your life. However, I am here, I am walking with you.”
“So, I say again... Have Faith.”
Suddenly, she heard another voice speak, rather sing, and it came from the podium.
“♫I Don't Believe He brought me this far to leave me♫”
Once again, tears fell from her eyes. For a moment, she continued to sit there. She finally wiped away the tears and stood up. She took one more look at the chapel and then exited the building. As she made her way back home, she heard this...
“Are you still uncertain?”
Without speaking, she replied, “Yes,” as she nodded her head.
“Then we will talk tonight.”
She simply nodded her head as she continued home, feeling a strange sense of peace and anticipation for the conversation to come.
