The Messenger Read Online Free PDF

Ariel felt, too.
    â€œOh, good morning, dear.” Sister Clarice tottered in, looking decidedly older and more frail in her pink bathrobe than she had the day before when wearing her blue uniform. “Have you been up long?”
    â€œNo.” Ariel sighed and turned away from the window. No answers there. No answers anywhere, as far as she could tell. “Thank you so much for bringing me home last night.”
    â€œOh, my dear.” Sister Clarice came around and patted her hand. “You looked so lost and so worried, how could I not help?”
    The kindness in the woman’s touch and the warmth in her eyes gave Ariel such a powerful feeling of home that she felt a burning misery collect in her eyes. She was indeed lost.
    â€œNow, now,” Clarice murmured. “Why don’t you just come right over here and sit down at the table while I make us both a nice cup of tea. Would you like some toast and honey for breakfast?”
    â€œI don’t know,” she replied honestly.
    â€œWell, I’ve always said when the mind is too busy worrying to be hungry, that’s usually when the body could do with a good feeding.”
    Sister Clarice bustled about, filling a pot and placing it on the stove, then cutting bread with a long serrated knife. Ariel watched her deft motions and asked, “Have you ever been worried?”
    Clarice laughed so hard she had to set down the knife and hold the kitchen cabinet with both hands. “How on earth do you think I earned all these wrinkles? Each and every one is a graduation present from the school of hard knocks.”
    â€œI don’t think I’ve ever heard of that place.”
    â€œThen you are one lucky young woman.” She popped two pieces into the toaster. “Bet you’ve never had homemade bread before either.”
    â€œNever,” Ariel agreed.
    â€œChild, this world has a way of surprising us almost every day. Some of these surprises are so good they make us want to shout to the heavens with joy. Others, well, the best thing we can say is that these too shall pass. And why can you always say that for certain?” Clarice picked up the whistling pot and answered her own question as she poured water into two cups. “Because this is not our home.”
    â€œI know,” Ariel said softly.
    â€œOf course you do. The first time I saw you I said to myself, now there is the face of a believer.” Clarice set a steaming cup in front of Ariel. “Then you should know that no matter what you are facing, you must remain steadfast in your faith, and pray.”
    â€œPray,” Ariel repeated faintly.
    â€œThat’s right. Pray with all your might. Pray without ceasing. Pray for guidance, pray for strength, pray for wisdom. And one day you will hear the Lord’s clarion call, and the angels will lift you from this vale of trials and temptations, and carry you to where you will never worry again. Not ever.”
    â€œI wish that were true,” Ariel said, her voice very quiet.
    Instead of answering sharply, Clarice inspected Ariel’s face. “Is it truly that bad, child?”
    â€œTerrible,” Ariel replied and felt the sudden burning return to her eyes.
    â€œDo you want to tell me about it?”
    She thought it over, then said doubtfully, “I’m not sure that I can.”
    â€œWell, if you ever feel the need to unburden, I’ve been called a fair listener in my day.”
    â€œThank you,” Ariel said. “You are a friend.”
    Clarice beamed at that, then continued to bustle about the little kitchen, setting down toast and butter and honey. “Now you just put your mind at ease about one thing. You can stay here as long as you like. In the meantime, though, I need to help with a new church project. It will take me to Washington, but I’ll only be gone three or four—”
    â€œWashington!” Ariel brightened. “I know that