The Dawn Of All

Chapter 1.9

"I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground."

Leviticus 11:44

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Rachell and her daughter, Rheissha, lived in a small, peaceful village near a winding river. Their modest home, surrounded by a beautiful garden, was a haven of warmth and simplicity. Rachell, a woman of strong principles, had always been a guiding light for Rheissha, teaching her the values of faith, respect, and integrity.

One evening, Rachell and Rheissha were sitting on their porch. They were finishing their evening tea, watching the birds as they chirped and flew back to their nests.

"Ma, do you think it's hard to live a pure life?" Rheissha asked suddenly, her young face thoughtful.

Rachell glanced at her daughter, sensing the depth of her question. "Why do you ask, anak? "

Rheissha hesitated, her gaze shifting to the garden. "Today at school, some of my friends were talking about things that felt... wrong. I didn't want to join in, but they made it sound fun. Sometimes, it's hard to tell what's right and what's not."

Rachell nodded, understanding. "It's true, nak. Sometimes, doing what's right isn't always easy, especially when others are going in a different direction. But we have to make choices that reflect who we truly are, even when it's hard."

She took a deep breath, thinking of a way to explain her thoughts. "Let me tell you a story," she began, her voice soft and gentle.

"Long ago, there was a young girl named Mira who loved playing in the forest. Every day, she would wander the woods, listening to the birds and feeling the cool breeze. But one day, she found a dark, muddy pool hidden among the trees. Curious, she dipped her feet in, but the mud clung to her skin, thick and sticky. The sensation was strange and unpleasant, yet it held an oddly fascinating charm. She kept returning to that muddy pool, each day stepping deeper, until one day she found herself stuck and couldn't pull her feet out."

Rheissha listened intently, captivated by the story.

"Mira began to panic, feeling the mud pulling her in. She realized then that the pool, which seemed harmless and curious at first, was trapping her. She cried out for help, and her father, who had been searching for her, heard her voice. He rescued her, but she was covered in mud. It took time for her to feel clean again, and she learned to avoid that pool afterward."

Rheissha frowned. "Why did she go back to the pool if it was muddy and sticky? "

"Because sometimes we're drawn to things that aren't good for us, even when we know better. They may seem harmless or fun at first, but they can end up leaving us feeling stuck or unclean inside," Rachell explained. "It's easy to let ourselves get pulled in, just like Mira did. But we have to be careful with our choices. God tells us to consecrate ourselves, to keep our hearts and minds focused on what is pure and good."

Rheissha thought about this, her face serious. "So, if I feel that something isn't right, I should listen to that feeling and avoid it?"

"Exactly," Rachell replied, smiling gently. "That's the voice of wisdom and faith guiding you. When God calls us to be holy, He means that we should set ourselves apart from what could harm us or lead us away from Him. It doesn't mean we can't enjoy life or have fun, but we should be mindful of what we let into our hearts and minds."

Rheissha nodded slowly. "I' will remember that, Mama."

Rachell reached over and took her daughter's hand. "I know it's not easy, but I believe in you, Rheissha. And remember, even if you make mistakes, you can always come back to God. He loves us and wants to keep us safe and pure."