Despite the Darkness, His Light Remains

By Rachel Vanderwood

If you made the decision to call out to God for answers when you are broken, lost, and uncertain of your future, would you be open to see the help that he sends for you? Would you trust in him to know exactly what you need, even if it isn't what you think the answer should be? If he sent a guardian angel to help you, although not knowing who or what they would appear as, would you accept their help even if they only appear as a caring friend or family member?

It is in the darkest hours of our lives that we face such critical decisions. We struggle to combat the forces that seek to draw strength from our weaknesses, hoping that God is still there fighting for us.

The truth remains that he, in fact, is and always has been fighting for our salvation, even in the times that we push him away. He waits for us to open our hearts to accept his love and blessings. God knows the hearts and trials of not only all the angels that serve him but all his beloved children on earth as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098082338

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Despite the Darkness, His Light Remains

Rachel Vanderwood

Copyright © 2021 by Rachel Vanderwood

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

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1

Since the beginning of creation, God has watched over his people, and like any parent, intervening when necessary. For centuries he watched as empires rose and fell, humanity changed and diversified, and some changing their belief in his existence or choosing to believe in other gods deemed worthy of the culture they lived in. Initially God chose to punish those who were defiant to his will, but as centuries passed, his compassion grew, and as humanity continued to exercise their right to free will, he watched and listened to those who sought his guidance. He observed as not only humanity exercised their right to free will but also the influence of the ongoing spiritual war between darkness and light.

Throughout time those beings that sought to dim the light of God became clever in their defenses, preying on human weaknesses and tendencies to sin. Although not directly affecting their decisions, those dark forces would give suggestions through dreams, opportunities of convenience, or by bringing other humans together, knowing the probability of one’s influence on the other. God knew his strong defense against such forces with his heavenly army led by the archangel Michael as his general was effective in the spiritual realm, but he realized he needed a different type of defense to directly protect his children on Earth. Born from this ideal was the formation of the Guardian Angel Defense. As mortals passed on Earth and their souls ascended into heaven, God, knowing the hearts and trials of each in human form, continued to evaluate them in the spiritual realm. Of the millions of souls, only a select few were chosen to rise to this elite force, and although many aspired to become part of the various missions to Earth, they proved unworthy, or so they thought. Some gave up on their attempts; others chose to continue to push themselves to learn and to grow in their spiritual awareness to elevate to the next level. The training was rigorous, and most resigned within the very beginning.

To affect change and present God’s love and compassion in the manner as only approved by God himself, the guardians were instructed on strict rules and regulations. If chosen and assigned to one or more humans on Earth, they were given special abilities, as designed by God to be able to appear as God had intended for the purpose of the mission. For guardians could not present themselves in their true form. If this rule or any of the other rules or instructions were broken or disobeyed, they would be removed from their position. As instructed, humans were to maintain their right to free will; guardians only served as guidance and a means to show an alternative way to solve their problems.

To keep his endeavor successful and ensure that the training and selection of souls fit the very principles that God outlined, God designated leaders, known simply as the Recruiters. Recruiters were most typically of the oldest souls, those which had shown their worthiness to the Almighty Lord throughout centuries. Many served under the archangel Michael, fighting in the many wars waged against God and heaven. Most of the recruiters served on God’s heavenly council, and although the ultimate decision of who would be named a guardian remained God himself, he heeded their insight and recommendations to the highest regard. One of the oldest and most respected recruiter was Petty Wyn. She courageously fought in hundreds of spiritual wars with her heavenly comrades, protecting not only heaven but God’s beloved Earth that housed humanity as well. Some of her peers were surprised and otherwise in somewhat of disbelief when she was chosen to recruit souls to become guardians mostly due to her abrasive and sometimes condescending mannerisms. Despite this, the decision was ultimately determined by her proven unending loyalty to God and keen sense of redeeming qualities in others.

In order to determine what souls should be recommended to be enlisted into the initial training for the guardians, recruiters would observe potential candidates performing their assigned duties and how they affected those around them. As in the hierarchy of heaven’s armies and council, each soul was delineated individual tasks to assume their place in God’s heavenly kingdom. Some served as record keepers, others as watchmen, and some served as guides to newly arrived souls to enhance their awareness in their spiritual form. Of those individuals was one soul, Trinity, tasked with guiding the souls of young infants and children. The care of such souls was a delicate and oftentimes complicated task, and although she accepted her position and provided her best effort, she never felt completely satisfied in her station and was compelled by her passion to become a part of the guardians. Trinity tried many times to acquire the recommendation for guardian training, but despite her best attempts, was denied. No matter how hard she studied or how many attempts she gave, she could not seem to understand her failure. But one day, unknown to her, her fate would soon change.

It was a day like any other. She arrived to take over her shift from the previous guide, organizing the young souls that had already recently arrived, but not yet fully acclimated to their spiritual reality. As she began her day, she could hear the trumpets resounding in the distance, signifying the arrival of new souls, young and old. Trinity observed as each of the new arrivals were organized into groups and led to their respective guides. Just as she thought she would not be taking charge of any of the new souls while she watched as the numbers separated and dwindled, she noticed one small soul appearing in earthly standards to have been no more than a few years old, bounding toward her, pigtails bouncing, with arms stretched out to embrace her. Trinity smiled, picking up the child ready to make her introduction. Hello, little one, she began, looking down at the innocent happy gaze upon her, my name is Trinity, and I am here to help you. What is your name?

Lulu, I’m Lulu, she eagerly replied, maintaining her gaze upon her new friend.

Trinity seemed drawn to her new charge. Much like the other young souls, she appeared innocent, loving, and awed by her new surroundings. When Trinity set her down to introduce her to her new peers and provide a short introduction to her heavenly home, Lulu boldly navigated her surroundings with a delighted curiosity. She quickly assimilated herself into her peer group, making her presence known to each of the young souls that she encountered. As her interactions grew with her peers, Lulu’s inquisitiveness became more apparent, and she often interrupted Trinity as she taught her lessons and explained how their lives would be led in heaven.

The children under Trinity’s care were curious about the new world around them. But none so curious as little Lu, who would often be heard asking Trinity and the group, Ooh, who are they? or, What are they doing there? Despite the many interruptions, and the fact that Trinity had a lot of information to impart on the children, she would simply smile, respond to her request, and move the group to their next destination. During their tour, the group came across a gathering of recruiters, conversing among themselves, appearing to be getting ready to observe and select souls for guardian training. Familiar with many of them, and feeling ashamed of her many failed attempts, Trinity tried to move her group swiftly in the opposite direction before they could catch sight of her. However, despite her best efforts to remain unseen, she found herself intercepted by Petty Wyn, the one recruiter she had feared the most, standing directly in front of her.

Have you lost something, Trinity? she asked in her commanding way. Before Trinity could respond, not knowing to what she was referring, she looked down, and there, at Petty Wyn’s feet, stood Little Lu. Perhaps, Trinity, if you learn to gage your focus on what you are tasked to do, you would have more success in reaching your goals. How is anyone to expect you to succeed if you cannot handle the simplest of tasks?

Feeling defeated and once again ashamed of yet another failure, Trinity timidly apologized for her unintended error and assured her superior that she would take better care of those that she was responsible for. As Petty Wyn made her way back to the assembled recruiters, Trinity cringed as they all looked on at her humiliation. Despite her embarrassment, she looked down to the sweet face gazing up at her, picked her up, and carried her close for the remainder of the day.

Trinity was grateful for the end of the day when her replacement came to relieve her. She loved the heavenly night air. It wasn’t that she did not appreciate the beauty and warmth of heavenly days or the interactions with the children that she cared deeply for. There was just something in the night sky and the way God had painted the planets perfectly among the stars. When she retired for the night, Trinity had found a place, higher up, past the Hall of Records where the trials and tribulations of all souls were kept, where she would sit and look down on the Earth, dreaming of one day descending upon it as a guardian, helping humanity in their daily struggles. In this place, Trinity didn’t feel like the failure she is reminded of every day, trapped in a position that she is unable to elevate from and facing those that are aware of her many failures. At night alone, she rests peacefully, lost in her dreams.

On her way to her secret hideaway to rest and prepare for the following day, Trinity, lost in thought, did not notice that she had someone trailing close behind her. And as she passed the Hall of Records, she noticed the door slightly ajar, which, for this time in the evening, was an unusual finding. Struggling with the urge to investigate, fearful that her curiosity would cost her in the end, she decided to push forward anyway and slowly approached the door, looking into the darkened room. All that could be seen was the shadowy outline of towering columns and what seemed for miles to be shelves of books and scrolls. Confident that her best course of action was to leave this investigation, close the door, and continue toward her hideaway, she started to leave. As she turned to make her way, she heard something rustling around inside, then suddenly she paused as she heard several loud crashing sounds. Trinity rushed in to find Lulu hurriedly climbing down one of the shelving units, cautiously attempting to evade the cascading sea of scrolls tumbling to the ground beside her. Frightened by the scene and with dire concern for Lulu, she rushed in and caught her in her arms as Lu skillfully leaped off the shelf ledge. Hoping that no one else in the kingdom was alerted to the scene, Trinity carried Lulu safely outside the doors.

Lulu, what were you doing in there? You shouldn’t be here! Do you know how much trouble we can get in? Trinity scolded.

Where were you going, Trinity? Lulu replied. Can I come with you?

Trinity, assessing the damage of the current situation and realizing her curious young friend would not be satisfied with a simple answer, responded, I was going there, pointing to her hideaway above the Hall of Records. And you, my young friend, will have to return to the other children, of course after I try to fix the mess you made. Stay here, Lu, and if you see anyone approaching, come and get me.

Okay, I promise, Lulu agreeably replied.

Knowing her time was limited before they would be exposed, Trinity rushed inside to collect the fallen scrolls. As mindfully as she could, she attempted to organize them chronologically, taking care not to damage the oldest and most delicate of the scrolls. Just as she finished collecting all that had fallen and began to place them back onto the shelves, the once darkened room lit up, and she could hear Lulu call out to her, Trinity, they found us. Trinity knew at that moment judgment would be passed upon her and consequences would follow. She paused, contemplating what she could possibly say or do to lessen her fate, then turned slowly to witness what she feared the most: a crowd gathered to witness what had happened and Petty Wyn standing at the very front pending her explanation.

Carefully choosing her words, while contemplating the version of events that would be most favorable to her and Lulu, she responded, What happened here was my fault. I will accept full blame. I was careless and not attentive enough in watching her, motioning to Lulu. Hoping for lenience, Trinity looked to her superiors for their response. She could hear them whispering amongst each other but could not make out what they were saying. Merely a few moments passed, but the time seemed like an eternity to Trinity.

As she waited, Petty Wyn made her way toward her, looking upon her as a parent would disciplining a child, saying, Trinity, it has been decided that you are now relieved of your duties caring for the child souls. Your further punishment will be decided tomorrow after the council meets and discusses the best course of action. You are to report to the Council Hall tomorrow and wait until we have made our decision.

Feeling defeated and drained from the present events, not knowing where she would be reassigned, Trinity wandered out of the Hall of Records, with head hung low, and to the only place she wasn’t the failure that she presumed the others believed her to be.

Lulu, watching her, saddened to see her friend hurting, ran up to Petty Wyn and the others still gathered and pleaded for her friend. It isn’t Trinity’s fault. She was helping me. She is my friend!

You are too young and inexperienced to understand, little Lu. Trinity must face the consequences of her actions, responded Petty Wyn, as she picked her up to carry her back to where she belonged.

While waiting outside the Council Hall the next day, her fate pending, Trinity could not help but reminisce about how many times her luck eluded her. How many times had she been certain that her moment was near, only to be let down and discouraged? She resolved in herself that trying was no longer an option and she were going to simply accept the fate handed to her. In the distance, she could see