The Hope of Eden

Breakthrough

1921
Lynchburg, Virginia

It was a Wednesday evening and Carmen was contently reading the Word.

The house was unusually quiet as little Rosalie was resting.

Carmen had gotten used to having the little girl behind or beside him, closer than his shadow.

With Rosalie at his side, he gave his undivided attention to her, which meant reading the Bible could only happen behind closed doors.

He didn't mind.

She was deserving of undivided attention and he was blessed to have someone to abide with.

He chuckled softly. "She is not with me and yet my mind has found her,"

It was well.

He adored Rosalie and all her special qualities.

She was a bright star and a delightful blessing.

And Eden.

Her expression upon receiving her journal was etched in his mind.

The wonder, gratitude, joy, surprise, and quiet fear that was never too far behind.

The journal was an inspired buy.

Eden was a pensive woman, mindful and careful.

He wondered what she was thinking most of the time.

And as he wondered, the Holy Spirit encouraged him to gift her a journal to express the thoughts that filled her mind.

Eden.

Marked with her name, the purchase was completed and he waited for an opportune time to give it to her.

She was much less wary of him than when she arrived, and he held her to no fault, but he understood that giving her a gift would potentially cause her to push him away.

So he held onto it.

And by God, the opportunity arrived.

Instead of pushing him away, she thanked him, and though she remained quiet during their picnic, she didn't watch him out of the corner of her eye.

It was a victory in Carmen's eyes.

She was beautiful.

She was so naturally beautiful.

It was mind-trapping.

Despite everything she endured, her beauty withstood it all, keeping her countenance admirable.

Carmen refused to allow shame to grip his heart for thinking about the truth.

He had no motives. He couldn't have a motive.

Eden's beauty and strangely captivating humility left no room for him to have untoward motives.

To him, she was simply and yet grandly, likened to a fine painting.

On display for the world to see and attentively admire, but disallowed to take as one's own.

Eden belonged to her Maker. Carmen honored that.

From afar, he would continue noting her amiable qualities.

Her gripping beauty.

Her amazing strength.

Her genteel mothering.

Her detailed work.

"Herr der Gnade, ich bin gefesselt."(Lord of Grace, I am captivated.) He confessed with an admittedly longing sigh.