Legacy of the Dreams

Interlude 2 - Blessings and Whispers

The Lord smiled down on Cadence and Jalyn, his faithful pair, known in this their last life, as Susan and Greg. The Prince of Darkness had had his test. He took the life of the Lord's servant, Mildred, in a most brutal manner; a manner intended to test Susan's faith. He took her suddenly, violently. This beloved woman died horribly in the eyes of men. But in the eyes of the heavens, she was simply coming home. The Lord's messenger knew that. She sang about it whenever she could. The Lord trusted her to tell His people about it and she did. Mildred Abernathy was home now, reunited with her soulmate, blessed as those who followed Him were destined to be.

"You have not won," the Lord said to Satan. "My faithful servant Cadence has not deviated from her faith ... not even a little bit. She remains steadfast to the wisdom she is there to share, using even this tragedy to grow the faith of those around her. Her brother, whose heart you have frozen for so long, has begun to thaw. Through her encouragement, he has begun to seek Me out, asking for My help in finding his faith. You know I will not turn away one who asks."

"And yet she shares only her own brand of faith. The knowledge you have given your chosen pair has caused their theology to deviate from what is accepted by the leaders of either of their religions," Satan pointed out. "She has not helped her brother to find Jesus. Jalyn continues to welcome into his life those who have. It is a contradiction in its entirety."

"Those they have helped, do not find their message of faith a contradiction," the Lord argued.

"Their wisdom sounds like my whispers to those most devoted in their religions. When times are good, I can use it to cause your children to stray, because they will not listen," he bragged. "Tragedy will work for some to open their hearts and minds to hear messages from you. Perhaps what it will take to negate the power you have instilled in your faithful is to do so in times of plenty. Those who are not struggling are less likely to seek the insights of Jalyn or Cadence, or be receptive to the faith they spread."

"What do you have in mind?" the Lord asked.

"Do you intend to bless them and their families in the days ahead?" Satan asked.

"I always bless my servants. They have more than earned their reward," the Lord said.

"When things are good, even the most dedicated of men sometimes decide they do not need you," Satan said.

"They will not listen," the Lord insisted.

"Their families will ... so will their friends," Satan bragged.

"I doubt that is true," the Lord said.

"They will, if you do not interfere," Satan said.

"I will not hinder the free will of the men I set on Earth," the Lord said. "They are free to decide how they will live their lives, influenced by me only when they ask."

"In that case, the opportunity is there ... as it always is," Satan said. "Watch."

"I will," the Lord assured him.

Satan nodded, and he turned to study the Earth, looking for the first of his targets amongst those most influenced by Jalyn and Cadence, whom he could turn from the Lord through whispers in their ears. If he was lucky there would be not one, but many. It might take time, but he was patient; taking his time as he looked for the opportunity to exert his influence on those watched by the Lord.

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