Why had I ever felt the need to strive for worthiness when my abba's love was so plainly unconditional and boundless?

The Arameans can try to blow out a few flames — and they may succeed for a time — but there is no stamping out a raging wildfire.

The breeze tangled into her luxurious curls, making me jealous of its invisible fingers.

Our people, our land, and our entire way of life was at stake, and if I had to give my own life for this mission, I would.

You may have had some fun running with us when you were a girl, or slinging stones and climbing trees, but you are not a man —

I growled like the rabid dog I'd become.

All night, I'd snatched glances at Tirvah across the room as she hovered in the shadows, head down and posture subservient as she played her role, moving around the table with such silent steps that none of the others seemed to even notice she was there until I'd pointed her out. But the woman standing before me now, practically vibrating with fury and looking as if she might even yet pull out those knives and slit my throat, was no cowering shadow. She was magnificent.

Mourning the loss of the sweet smile she'd given me before I'd tripped over my own tongue, I followed after her with muddy feet and a thorny tangle coiled inside my gut.

You can tuck your head under your wing for a while...and wait out this storm. But you will fly again.