When Saying I'm Sorry Isn't the Answer

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 Aylett had been clinging to the feet of the King every blessed minute since returning to the Glass Castle. How he had patience with her, I now not, but she said ‘sorry’ countless times without feeling the desired peace and joy she had known formerly.

                One day Iris beckoned to her.

                “Come with me, you have been holed up in the castle too long and your face has grown wan and sad.”

                Aylett gazed anxiously at the King and communicated silently with Him. Is this the voice of the tempter?

                Go and my Presence will be with thee. Aylett could hardly believe her ears. She looked at Iris but could tell she hadn’t heard the secret message. She looked worriedly at the King but He seemed to be smiling in approval, so hesitantly followed her friend into the bright, clean out of doors.

                The guard spoke jovially to them as he lowered the sky tram and wished them a good day.

 Aylett bit her lip and wondered why he didn’t caution them against straying from the Path of Righteousness.

                After they  had walked awhile, Iris remarked that the road was much smoother than the last time they had gone for a jaunt.

                “Oh, I,I  hadn’t even noticed,” Aylett stammered, “I was too busy looking for snakes.”

                “Oh don’t worry about the snakes,” Iris linked her arm into Aylett’s. “We sounded the alarm loud and clear with our shrieking last time and the workmen have been busy upgrading the road ever since. The chance of even seeing a snake is one in a million."

                “And it would be me that would trip on it,” Aylett  sighed woefully.

                Iris turned to face her friend squarely. “What ails you, my friend,” she asked? “You haven’t been yourself lately.”

                Aylett hung her head, and scuffed her toe against the rocks.

                Iris lightly touched her shoulder. “C'mon, you can tell me.”

                When Aylett’s  tears started to flow  Iris brushed them away with hr hanky then handed it to her petite companion.

                “Is it because we went to the Enchanted Forest?”

                Aylett nodded, “I feel so bad…”

                “Aylett, do you know that isn’t really the Enchanted Forest? This whole area belongs to the King of Love. The guard told me that one day."

                Aylett’s eyes widened with an amazed ‘are you kidding me’ look. “Then why did we get lost? Why did the insects pester us so?”

                “Because we went on our own, we didn’t follow our guide; because we lingered too long.”

                Aylett took a deep breath. “Are you wishing to go again?”

                “Only if you want to. I think you should try to get over your fears.”

                “It takes a lot of faith to, to step over that stile and enter that site once again. I don’t know if I am brave enough.”

                “Here we are. Doesn’t it look beautiful in the light of the rising sun?”

                Aylett nodded uncertainly.

                “Let’s use our charming whistles and ask for a guide.”

                They both did so but Iris privately thought that Aylett blew harder and longer than was strictly necessary on the delicate instrument.

                Almost immediately Aylett saw a glimpse of shining wings that reassured her and seemed to be showing them what path to take. Iris didn’t receive any physical assurance of His Presence but neither did she need it.

                As the day grew warmer, Iris was pleased to notice that Aylett was cautiously at first, but then more freely shedding her fears.

Because they were attentive to their guide they had lots of fun, made some new friends who were pleasant and cheerful, and all around had a good time.

                When the Guide beckoned them to come back to the Castle because it was growing late, it was Aylett of all people who wasn’t quite ready.

                “We don’t want to get lost like last time,” Iris said half-jokingly.

                “Oh, no, no,” Aylett exclaimed and skipped over to join her chum.

                The path through the darkening forest was beautiful and inviting, and Aylett felt safe following the now visibly glowing presence of their guide.

                “Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go,” They sang and faintly in the distance could hear the other girls join in,

                Anywhere, anywhere, fear I cannot know, Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go.”

Notes:

How do you like this addition to the story? Were you disappointed with how part one ended? If so why or why not? Does this seem like a realistic example of what Christian life could or should be like?

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