The Battle Pt. 2

"Daddy!" Sadie squealed as she ran over to Aticus and threw her little arms around his legs. "Can we go now, Daddy? Please, please? We've been waiting for you, and all of our chores are done, and Ema and Mary and Lydia will all be waiting for me, and maybe we could even visit Grandpa and Grandma, and-"

"Whoa, Little Girl. I know you are excited and yes, we are going to town, but give me a few minutes before we do."

The look he shot me across the room told me it had already been a tough day even though the sun hadn't been up for very long.

"Look, Dad," Titus said as he came over holding out his hands. "I've been working on these all morning and I think they are turning out pretty well. Do you like them?"

Aticus gently took the small arrowheads from Titus' hands and inspected each one.

"Good work, Son. You are getting a very good eye for detail. These will be ready for me to help you mount soon."

"Have you had a hard day today, Father?" Priscilla asked.

"Prisca, Prisca -- you don't miss a thing, do you? Yes, I have seen some of the battle already this morning, but don't worry your pretty little head. I'm here now and soon we will all go for a nice stroll. But for now, will you please take your brother and sister outside so your Mom and I can talk a few things over?"

"Yes, Dad."

I could tell by the look on her face that she was not thrilled with the fact of being left out of the adult conversation, but she obediently took her sister's hand and led them all outside.
I went right over and wrapped my arms around Aticus and rested my head on his broad chest. I could feel the metal of his breast plate through his shirt. It's shape conformed to his chest so perfectly it had almost become a part of him. He ran his fingers through my hair and let out a soft sigh. He slumped onto a chair and patted the seat next to him.

"Oh, Hanna. The battle is fierce. Sometimes I wonder if I can go on. It seems as though we have fewer and fewer standing with us to fight. And what is worse is seeing those who say they have been called by the King stand by and do nothing. They don't even put their armor on, Hanna!" As he spoke, I could see the vein in his temple pulse as the blood rushed through his troubled body. He went on. "Content to spend their days doing what they please, they don't engage in the fight for truth. They don't care about the King's orders and have such a small understanding of what He asks of us. And it's not because there is nothing for them to do - so many are boldly attacking. It is a time for us to stand firm!"

I swallowed slowly and quickly searched my mind for the right words. Oh Lord, help me say the right things. Help me fill him with Your hope but to also let him know that I understand what he's so upset about.

"I know what you're saying, Aticus. I see it too. It is getting harder and harder to tell people the truth. But we can't give up! We cannot forget that our King is victorious. He is the One who opens their eyes to the truth. Our job is to speak it, He will cause them to hear it. Remember David's words, 'Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You. For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens,And Your truth reaches to the skies.' We must keep our eyes on HIM, not the battle."

"Thank you, Hanna. You are right. Let's talk more about this later. I'm sure there are three very anxious children outside ready to get to town. We should get going."

To be continued...