He was right. Showing emotion wasn't weakness. She may cry, but she would not shrink from doing whatever was needed to defend her brothers.

The only thing that stops us from being joyful is ourselves.

Joy no longer seemed as fragile as it once had.

She had once believed that her happiness was dependent on people staying healthy and circumstances being good. But now she felt that joy was not so easily broken as long as it was bound together with love and hope - love of God and good people in her life and the hope that she would always have love, both to give and to receive... "On earth as it is in heaven.

We ask for thorns to be taken from us, trials to en, but sometimes God does not take them away. He walks us through them. So stay hopeful and belive for the best, but don't lose faith if the worst happens.

When had her brothers become so mature and strong? A week ago they'd all seemed like boys. Now they were men who ignored their own terrible circumstances and seemed only to think of protecting her. But she'd prove that she could take care of herself and help them too. She had to. Somehow she would. Whatever it took.

Delia begged God over and over not to let her brothers be executed, to free them from the Tower, to give them justice. God, You are the God of justice. Where is Your justice in this? Why was God allowing their enemies to triumph over them?

He had to help them because, though he might be betraying his king's wishes, God was his ultimate authority.

I used to think God would not allow terrible injustices to stand, that he would protect the innocent, right the wrongs, pay back those who had mistreated my father, my sister, and me. Every wrong, every lie, would be brought to light and made right. But not I realize that even though God is good and just and He will eventually make all things right, sometimes wrongs are not made right in this life.