Duty and Forgiveness.
Peninnah returned to the church. She left the lantern on the chair and looked around the church. There was so much work to do if she was going to complete her task. She rummaged in the closet and discovered a few meager cleaning supplies. Dutifully she cleaned the floors, dusted and cared for the furniture as much as she could with in the sanctuary. This was her duty, a show of her piety and her remembrance that she was here to care for the structure she inhabited.
Her final attendance was the altar. She had discovered a few candles in the storage closet and made them fit the best she could. She took extra care to clean and tend to the altar. This was the place where God spoke to those on earth. She tended to the wood polishing it the best she could. She was unsure what to do about the tattered altar cloth. She debated for some time before removing her head scarf and stretching it over the oaken altar.
Once satisfied with that much Peninnah looked to the windows. She did not have the means to clean them or so she thought. The water was still running and she glanced back at the stained glass. They must be cleaned. Removing her robes she tore strips from areas where there was excess fabric. She brought a bucket of water to tend to the glass. The light must shine through in the morning.
She was exhausted. Pain was burning in her legs when she finished. The white linen sheath dress she wore beneath her robes was smudged with dirt and wet with filthy water. She did not notice. Her duties were all that mattered. She put away her cleaning supplies and washed her hands and feet. Slowly she made her way to the holy water font and frowned. She wanted to anoint herself. That would have to wait.
Her legs burned from exertion when she approached the altar. It didn’t matter. She forced legs to kneel and stayed still. It was not a comfortable position, her whole body ached but penance was not about comfort. It was about faith. To be heard required faith. It was more than faith. It was an unwavering devotion unhindered by the flesh of an earthly body. She endured kneeling in silence before she quietly began to pray.
Dear Lord, Perhaps I have forsaken much of my faith over the years. Loneliness and misunderstanding have led to anger but that is human nature; I am now mortal myself in part. It is now my nature as well. I am sorry Lord for becoming less than I was created to be. Perhaps that is why you have seen fit to make me what I am.
I have come here to ask for your guidance. I have come to the point where my services are needed and none stand with the authority to decide what shall be done. Yes, Lord, I am speaking of your house that I have come to. Some have asked that I care for it in the absence of others. But they have not the authority to give the care to me. I have heard that the previous guardian, a man named Darius, has gone missing. I ask that you watch over him on whatever journey you have laid before him. I would also ask that you watch over Kaycee. She worries much for this place and the man who once cared for it. I thank you for sending her to my aid. Now I must ask what was your design Lord. Was I to come here to this place? Is this to be my new ward to take it from neglect to its former beauty? I need your guidance to tell what is your plan for the future.
I shall listen closely for your voice Lord. I ask you forgive my neglect of faith, duty and your voice. I wish to apologize for my shortcomings and waywardness. I wish to return to your love and duties as you see fit.
Peninnah moved to stand but quickly turned back to the altar.
I have two more requests to ask of you father. Please watch over Rogue and bring happiness to her new home. Will you also watch over Corwin and Dog as they journey. They are dear friends and I hope to see them again soon.
Thank you father.
With that Peninnah stood and moved back. She sat on the floor looking around the sanctuary. She was tired but still she prayed quietly. Exhaustion came and she slumped to the stone floor. She slept dreamlessly in the warmth she had once loved. That warmth soothed away her aches leaving only peace.
It was day when her eyes opened. Light streamed through the glass sending dazzling light through the sanctuary. That was not the first thing Peninnah noticed upon waking. It was what she heard and felt inside. She knew of the people walking past the outer wall. She could feel the birds walking upon the stone path. The pigeons on the church roof were fighting. Swifts slept in the eaves. She could sense every inch of stone and the voice was clearer, stronger.
She stood and stretched her aching muscles. She wished to go out into the sun but her robes had been substituted for the altar cloth. She approached the altar and looked up.
Forgive me Lord but I must reclaim my veils so I may do your bidding.
Warmth touched her in response and she smiled. Gently Peninnah removed the robes from the altar and pulled them on. She then took to the churchyard to see what needed her attention.
Her final attendance was the altar. She had discovered a few candles in the storage closet and made them fit the best she could. She took extra care to clean and tend to the altar. This was the place where God spoke to those on earth. She tended to the wood polishing it the best she could. She was unsure what to do about the tattered altar cloth. She debated for some time before removing her head scarf and stretching it over the oaken altar.
Once satisfied with that much Peninnah looked to the windows. She did not have the means to clean them or so she thought. The water was still running and she glanced back at the stained glass. They must be cleaned. Removing her robes she tore strips from areas where there was excess fabric. She brought a bucket of water to tend to the glass. The light must shine through in the morning.
She was exhausted. Pain was burning in her legs when she finished. The white linen sheath dress she wore beneath her robes was smudged with dirt and wet with filthy water. She did not notice. Her duties were all that mattered. She put away her cleaning supplies and washed her hands and feet. Slowly she made her way to the holy water font and frowned. She wanted to anoint herself. That would have to wait.
Her legs burned from exertion when she approached the altar. It didn’t matter. She forced legs to kneel and stayed still. It was not a comfortable position, her whole body ached but penance was not about comfort. It was about faith. To be heard required faith. It was more than faith. It was an unwavering devotion unhindered by the flesh of an earthly body. She endured kneeling in silence before she quietly began to pray.
Dear Lord, Perhaps I have forsaken much of my faith over the years. Loneliness and misunderstanding have led to anger but that is human nature; I am now mortal myself in part. It is now my nature as well. I am sorry Lord for becoming less than I was created to be. Perhaps that is why you have seen fit to make me what I am.
I have come here to ask for your guidance. I have come to the point where my services are needed and none stand with the authority to decide what shall be done. Yes, Lord, I am speaking of your house that I have come to. Some have asked that I care for it in the absence of others. But they have not the authority to give the care to me. I have heard that the previous guardian, a man named Darius, has gone missing. I ask that you watch over him on whatever journey you have laid before him. I would also ask that you watch over Kaycee. She worries much for this place and the man who once cared for it. I thank you for sending her to my aid. Now I must ask what was your design Lord. Was I to come here to this place? Is this to be my new ward to take it from neglect to its former beauty? I need your guidance to tell what is your plan for the future.
I shall listen closely for your voice Lord. I ask you forgive my neglect of faith, duty and your voice. I wish to apologize for my shortcomings and waywardness. I wish to return to your love and duties as you see fit.
Peninnah moved to stand but quickly turned back to the altar.
I have two more requests to ask of you father. Please watch over Rogue and bring happiness to her new home. Will you also watch over Corwin and Dog as they journey. They are dear friends and I hope to see them again soon.
Thank you father.
With that Peninnah stood and moved back. She sat on the floor looking around the sanctuary. She was tired but still she prayed quietly. Exhaustion came and she slumped to the stone floor. She slept dreamlessly in the warmth she had once loved. That warmth soothed away her aches leaving only peace.
It was day when her eyes opened. Light streamed through the glass sending dazzling light through the sanctuary. That was not the first thing Peninnah noticed upon waking. It was what she heard and felt inside. She knew of the people walking past the outer wall. She could feel the birds walking upon the stone path. The pigeons on the church roof were fighting. Swifts slept in the eaves. She could sense every inch of stone and the voice was clearer, stronger.
She stood and stretched her aching muscles. She wished to go out into the sun but her robes had been substituted for the altar cloth. She approached the altar and looked up.
Forgive me Lord but I must reclaim my veils so I may do your bidding.
Warmth touched her in response and she smiled. Gently Peninnah removed the robes from the altar and pulled them on. She then took to the churchyard to see what needed her attention.