A Chosen Love - Book 1 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Twenty

 Godfrey's words brought other questions to Elissa's inquiring mind.

The afternoon passed before she had time to ask the one question that had been burning in her thinking for so long; that about Rao Chang.

Pamela interrupted, reminding Elissa that she needed to prepare herself for the evening meal in the dining room with the queen. With great reluctance, Elissa dismissed Godfrey.

"I have many more questions, Godfrey. I thank you for your time and want you to know that your words have been a great help to me. Please send me the four Gospel volumes. I will make another appointment soon."

Elissa moved to the dining room that evening as though there were wings on her feet.

The God of the Bible was not so hard to believe in. The world had to have come from somewhere, it couldn't just have happened!

The idea that God created man to have friendship with Himself appealed to her. Abraham, the friend of God; Godfrey said. And the old man had testified that he personally knew God as a close friend! She wondered if God would ever want her for a friend? What a wonderful idea! God would be a friend whom no one could take away. If Abraham could find righteousness and approval in believing, then maybe she could?

The question about Rao Chang had lost urgency. Elissa now placed more importance on learning more about God and His Book, rather than finding out about the doctor.

Smiling into the many inquiring eyes that evening, Elissa felt different.

There is a God, she thought, One True God, who knows I'm alive, and who cares about me. A warm feeling seemed to flood through her veins as she thought about the words of the book.

The following days, Elissa filled with reading the four gospels. She studiously wrote questions as she read. Mostly, the queries were answered within the book, but she filled a page with questions that remained unanswered. A second appointment was fixed with Godfrey and Elissa could scarcely wait until breakfast was over.

Queen Catherine dampened Elissa's exuberance by asking, "How are the cook-books progressing, Elissa?"

Elissa blushed at the thought of the time absorbed reading the volumes of the Bible.

"I know all about your preoccupation with the Gospel Book, Elissa. You must not allow that Book to become an obsession," the queen warned, "I've seen it happen with some people. Keep it in its right place, Elissa. Remember my advice!"

Elissa curtsied and left the room, eager to continue the review of the Gospel Book with Godfrey.

The next week, Godfrey came every day and Elissa became more convinced that the Gospel Book indeed, was God's Word to mankind. "It's all it claims to be, and therefore I can't hold back from believing that Jesus Christ is whom He claims to be, God's Son, and the Way, the Truth and the Life."

Disregarding the two women and Ruskin, Elissa asked of Godfrey, "Please pray with me, Godfrey. I wish to follow the writings in the Gospel of John, and be born again by God's Spirit, for unless I am born again, I cannot see the kingdom of God!"

After they both prayed, Godfrey beamed at Elissa.

A contented silence ensued, after which the thought of Rao Chang resurfaced in Elissa's mind.

"Now that I believe, what do you advise me to do about Rao Chang?" Elissa asked.

"Rao Chang?" Godfrey's face clouded over. "What do you mean, Lady Elissa?"

Watching Godfrey's changed countenance, Elissa quoted the words that the old man had shouted. She reminded him, "You quoted from Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy. What you were saying, Godfrey; please correct me if I am mistaken; is that Rao Chang is on the side of God's adversary!"