Like Them That Dream (Sample)

Introduction

Having always been an enthusiast of the story of Cinderella, it’s not surprising that my Heavenly Father would drop a faith-based version of the timeless tale in my heart. But when it came to giving the story an appropriate title, I could not find a song that seemed to go along with the subject matter as I had for my previous books.

I had originally planned to title it after a hauntingly beautiful classical piece that had revved up my imagination where this story was concerned. I was ‘ok’ with this title— for a time—but after a while, I couldn’t help but think that there had to be something better out there. A better title from an actual ( and more suitable ) song.

And then I was given an idea.

After searching through one of the oldest song books in the world, I found it. A song whose subject matter not only paralleled my story in a way, but had the perfect title within it.

So, without further ado, I humbly present the faith tale of the cinder girl, titled from the Book of Psalms, chapter 126, verse 1—

“When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.”

Prologue

Once upon a time,

In a far away land…

Agatha De la Vega carefully rolled up the shimmery white silk and set it in the large armoire along with the other fabrics that she had set her hands to and woven at her loom. For the past twenty years, she had been weaving works of art here in her cottage that was situated behind a large woods, on a rolling meadow that overlooked the mountains in the distance, and then selling the fabrics to the vendors and dress makers in the nearby village. (A menial sounding job, at best, for a lady, yet it was the trade she had come from as a young girl before being given that title from her late, beloved husband, Raoul.) But every once in a while, a material would emerge from her loom that she would not sell to just anyone. Instead, she would keep it until she knew exactly who the recipient was to be and then have a gown made from a particularly unique design that would be dropped in her heart from her very special, ever present Friend, and then bestow the gift on it’s intended beneficiary. This bolt of silk was just such a project.

Gently tracing her fingers over the glossy material, she smiled at the outcome of this latest enterprise.

“I thank you, my Heavenly Father,” she whispered. “It turned out more beautiful than I imagined.”

This particular weave of silk had come from her requesting the LORD to show her how to create a fabric that was as bright and smooth and glistening as the petals of a white rose, and here it was now, many months later, catching the late afternoon sunlight that streamed in through the windows of her work room, sparkling like it was covered in diamond dust.

“I already see a design in my mind’s eye for this cloth,” she said as she shut the doors of the armoire and turned to leave. “And, as usual, if there is anything that You want me to do with it, just let me know and I will rush to do Your will.”

Chapter One

Three months later…

Eliana Grace Dubois sat, slumped on the cool stone floor of the kitchen, staring at the deep emerald hued fragments of shredded satin and lace that were strewn across the surrounding area. Dark green glass beads that littered the floor caught the light from the dancing flames in the hearth and glimmered like jewels; all remnants of her mother’s royal court gown that Eliana had gotten out of her cedar trunk in preparation for tonight’s ball at the palace.

Eliana could hardly grasp what had happened here as she went over the scene in her mind. She had finished her overly large list of chores ahead of time and had gone to take a bath before donning her mother’s gown for the evening’s festivities, only to enter the kitchen and find her step-mother cutting the gown to ribbons with a large pair of shears, tearing off the beads and lace and throwing them to the floor.

Apparently, her step-mother had felt very strongly about Eliana attending the ball no matter who would take her. For once she had found out that Lady Agatha had asked Eliana to attend the ball with her, there had been absolutely no peace in the house. At least, for Eliana, that is.

So, upon seeing this violent display, Eliana had let out a gasp as her knees suddenly lost their strength and she crumpled onto the floor. At this point, her step-mother had ceased her attack on what little remained of the gown and turned to face the now ashen Eliana. Narrowing her eyes, her angular face distorted into a sneer, she dropped the shears and menacingly walked past her despised step-daughter.

Now, long after she had heard the departure of her step-family, Eliana continued to try to comprehend how anyone could be so cruel.

Thoughts of her step-mother’s cat that had preferred to be in Eliana’s presence rather than his owner’s came to mind. This had angered her step-mother so much that she had had the animal killed and dumped in the woods along the trail that led to Lady Agatha’s cottage so Eliana would be sure to see it.

The woman cannot stand to have anyone but herself and her daughters happy and content, she thought as her fingers absentmindedly found the ends of her dark locks that had grown now to just past her shoulders. Yet another reminder of her step-mother’s remorseless and unjustified disciplinary tactics towards Eliana when she had viciously hacked off a large section of her step-daughter’s beautiful hair, leaving it terribly uneven and unpresentable.

Eliana shuddered at the memory now. And yet, with that traumatic memory came a pleasant one on it’s heels. That of her dear friend, Lady Agatha, coming to assist her in evening up her locks and making them look more satisfactory.

A heaviness seemed to settle on Eliana now. She could feel the fear trying to force it’s way in with a thought that sent shivers down her spine. A thought she had been trying to keep at bay for some time now, but she knew that she could no longer hide from it. She had to face the fear and get it out, so she purposefully looked at the string of thoughts that were trying to take her captive.

So, look, she did, at the thoughts of how much more violent each of her step-mother’s attacks had become, and how at some point, she would not be able to show any restraint and Eliana’s life here on earth would be snuffed out like a candle. Her heart raced frantically at these thoughts, yet she looked past the threat now to what would come to her then. Peace. Rest. Wholeness. Her beloved Mother and Father. Her Savior. Heaven.

What would be so bad about that? she inwardly asked herself. “Not one thing,” she whispered as a single tear of relief at the thought rolled down her cheek.

With her eyes closed, Eliana pictured the perfect peace in Heaven. She could see everything being beautiful and untarnished. She could see her beautiful mother and handsome father, healthy and whole, as they walked along, hand in hand, as happy as ever, coming over to greet Eliana. A sweet reunion of laughter, hugs, and kisses. And now, she could see her Savior, standing there, His arms open wide in welcome, with a smile on His dear face. Running to Him, Eliana embraced Him Who had eternally rescued her. Her one true Knight in shining armor.

As she held onto Him, she heard Him speak her name. Looking up into His eyes, she saw His great love for her shining out, enveloping her further. He said her name again. This time she tilted her head to one side in thought. His voice didn’t sound quite right. Again He called her name.

It didn’t sound like Jesus’ voice at all. It sounded more feminine. Actually, it sounded like—

“Eliana.”

Eliana opened her physical eyes now, seeing the stark difference in location, but then the concern on the face of Lady Agatha who stood just inside the back door.

“Eliana?”Agatha gently called again as she drew nearer.

Eliana suddenly inhaled as a sob caught in her throat. “Agatha!” she exclaimed as she reached out for her friend.

In an instant the older lady was by Eliana’s side, wrapping her in her arms.

End of sample.

Like Them That Dream