If there is anything that I have learned over the course of these three years, it is how valuable the help of a friend can be. There have been moments when I was completely lost, without any idea of how to proceed, and the intervention of someone else—be they human or angel—has shown me the way. I am so fortunate to have those who are willing to help me. First in my thoughts are those who have helped me today—Lubos, Adiola, I am so grateful to you for responding so quickly and so perfectly to my need.
Over the past days I have grown more and more worried about Anna, who is falling hard and fast for Rob. I will say this for him: he is truly attached to her, and were it not for their differing beliefs, they would be well matched. He encourages her to get out more, helps her to meet new people, and builds up her confidence, while she softens the sharpest edges of his humor and gives him a sense of peace that he has never had before. If I knew that her faith was strong enough to bear with his doubts and cynicism, I would wish to keep them together.
But Anna is beginning to waver. In the face of Rob’s questions, his laughter and his mocking, she shrinks back. She did not attend church this week either, and when a few of her friends called to check on her, she lied about where she had been. She has been struggling to decide whether this new relationship offers more than her faith does, which seems a ridiculous question to me, but less so when I consider how intoxicating new love can feel.
I knew I had to do something, but I did not have the first idea. So I sought out assistance, and the first angel to respond was Lubos.
When I was surprised to see him, he smiled at me. “Did you not think I would not still be looking out for you? Our friendship notwithstanding, you now have the care of a charge who became very dear to me over time. How is Freya?”
“Oh, she is well!” I said. “She recently ended a relationship, but it was the right decision. I worried that it would be difficult between the two of them, but the man took it very well, and they remain friends.”
“Well, keep a close eye on them both,” Lubos advised. “Sometimes deep feelings can lie hidden until something changes to reveal them.” He folded his hands before him. “But that was not why you were seeking advice, was it?”
“Oh, no, I need assistance with another charge of mine.” I briefly introduced Anna and her situation to him, and saw him begin to frown. “Yes, it is troubling. She is not yet to the point that his questions hurt her belief, but he continues to press her, and she is already stepping away from faith to please him.”
“I would not worry as much as you have about that,” Lubos said, although he was still frowning. “Often people will say or do things to please others that they do not particularly mean, especially if they wish to impress that person. What is Rob’s view of all this? What is his goal?”
“It is not malicious,” I said, though with some reluctance—it is hard to be fair to someone who is trying to hurt my charge, however unaware he may be of the consequences. “I do not know all of the details, but I do know that he has been hurt by people in religious positions before, and now he blames our Father for that pain. In his heart I think he is worried that Anna will be similarly hurt.”
“And so he questions and presses, trying to ease her away from what he sees as a delusion,” Lubos murmurs.
I was shocked to hear him state it so baldly, but he is not wrong.
He shifted his wings and looked up at me again. “It seems to me that Anna’s faith must be secured before anything else. She must be made aware of Rob’s bias. Can you encourage him to be open with her?”
“I have tried that, but he is singularly reluctant to talk about it. And I am worried that by the time he trusts her enough to tell, she will have been shaken from her foundation.”
Lubos sighed. “Yes, sometimes humans bury their pain very deeply. Well, then your focus should remain with Anna.” He thought for a long moment, then shook his head. “There is surely a way to remind her of the value and reality of her faith, but I am not the angel to think of it, I fear.”
His wording was perfect, and the inspiration struck me like lightning. I gripped his shoulders in excitement. “Perhaps you are not, but I believe I know who is!” And I called out for Adiola then.
She, too, came with alacrity, smiling brilliantly at us both. “Asa’el, my friend. It is good to see you again.”
I quickly introduced her to Lubos, and they exchanged warm greetings. Then I explained my dilemma to her, and Lubos’ advice.
Her smile grew wider. “But of course,” she said. “I would be delighted to visit her—nothing so easy. I cannot go this moment, but perhaps tonight I will send her a dream, or else tomorrow? Is there a moment in her day where she rests her thoughts? It is easier to speak to them then.”
I have noticed this, as well. We made arrangements to meet tomorrow, and Adiola bid us farewell. When she had gone, Lubos shook his head, smiling. “A Singer,” he said. “The diversity of your friends should be applauded, Asa’el.”
“I do have one more question for you, brother,” I said as he made motion to leave. “I am wondering—if our plan succeeds and Anna rests firmly in her faith once more, should I then try to help her make the relationship with Rob work? She does genuinely care for him. And if her love could lead him to faith…”
Lubos looked back at me, his expression rueful now. “It is a lovely thought, is it not? And it has worked before, but that is usually only when faith comes after love. When a relationship is strong and experienced at coping with changes, it can weather the process. But no one should ever go into a new relationship with an eye to change the other, no matter what the reason.”
He is right, of course, and I should have remembered it—it is one of the first things we learn in our training. Love can bring about great changes in a human spirit, but not always the ones you want or expect.
I sighed. “Then I will have to break them apart.”
“She will have to break them apart,” Lubos corrected me. “But she will need your help.”
“And she will have it,” I said. I bowed to him. “Thank you, brother, but now I must go. There is work to be done.”
“But of course, and you will do it well, I am certain.”
I hope that he is right. I will certainly try my very best.