Eleanor Whitmore dried the last of the dinner dishes as she watched, from the kitchen window, Emma play in the backyard. She’d been restless the past week. Her mind had been troubled, and she’d been having vivid dreams of darkness.

She believed in the power of dreams. She read in her Bible too many times of how God had used dreams to lead people and direct their paths. And she felt in her gut that something was coming. Something was coming, and it was after Emma Jean.

That night as she tucked Emma into bed, she smiled down at her and said, “I want to tell you a story.”

“Alright,” Emma said as she propped herself against her headboard. “I’m ready.”

“A long, long time ago there was an angel. He was beautiful, and powerful, and loved by God. His name was Lucifer, which means bright-morning star. But over time, his beauty and power wasn’t enough for him. He wasn’t satisfied with what he’d been given. He wanted more. In fact, he didn’t just want more, he wanted everything. He wanted to set a throne even above God and rule over him. Everything that God, his Creator, had, Lucifer believed he had a right to. Who was God to keep him from being just like the Creator … or more?

“God tells us in Ezekiel that Lucifer, at that time influencing the king of Tyre, was the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. He says that Lucifer was blameless in his ways from the day he was created until iniquity, or sin, was found in him. So God cast him out.

“Since then, Lucifer, or Satan, or the devil, whatever name he is called, has plotted against God and His children. His number one goal is to take as many souls as he can with him to the pit of fire and separate us from our Creator for all eternity.”

Emma frowned. “I know about the devil, Mama. I’ve learned about him in church.”

Eleanor nodded. “Yes. But sometimes it’s good to be reminded of exactly what we face on a daily basis. We forget, in the business of life, that there is great evil in this world, and it is constantly pursuing us. Your daddy and I won’t always be around to remind you to be vigilant. So I’m gonna set this candle” —she held up a white candle she’d set on the bed next to her and placed it in a holder on Emma’s night stand— “right here. And any time you feel like you need a reminder of how to fight the enemy, I want you to light it. I want you to turn off the light and take this candle and shine it into all the dark places in the room. And I want you to say, ‘Greater is the light that is in me, than the darkness around me.’ The devil can’t hide when the light is shining on him.

“You’re going to face some dark times, Emma Jean. And I only tell you that because I know how intelligent you are, mature beyond your years. But it will be that intelligence that the devil attempts to trip you up with. Remember where his intelligence took him. Remember when he decided he was more intelligent than his Creator, that was when his fall began.”

She brushed her fingers across her daughter’s cheek and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I love you. There are big things in store for you. And I don’t ever want you to fool yourself into thinking you are unreachable, untouchable, or beyond the influence of evil. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Emma nodded. “You wouldn’t be doing me any favors Mama, if you tried to tell me I was too good, too beautiful, too smart, or too full of light to be tempted. I know the devil wants to lead me down the wrong road. I understand what you’re saying. None of us is beyond the reach of God, but none of us is beyond the lure of what Lucifer sought after either.”

Eleanor smiled. “Sometimes, child, you are scary smart.”

“Shut de door,” Emma sang.

“Keep out de devil,” Eleanor finished.

“Amen.”

“That’s right, child. Amen.”

Eleanor closed the door and leaned her forehead against it with one palm pressed tightly to the wood. “God, I know you’re preparing her for something. But I’m asking you, whatever hard, difficult thing it is, please give my baby protection. Put your angels around her. Put people around her that will love her and support her and guide her in the right direction. I don’t ask for you to remove obstacles or to make things easy. I know she won’t grow, or be refined into the woman you are making her, if you make it easy on her. But I ask, as the mother you gave her, to not let her fall. When she stumbles, right her feet. When she veers, guide her back. When she doubts, give her wisdom to seek the truth. When she’s tempted, make clear to her the way out. When she’s proud, knock her off that horse. When she sins, don’t keep the consequences from her for so long that she hardens her heart. Make them swift and sure so that she will turn to you. When she’s weak and weary, Lord, give her strength and rest. These things I ask of you. Be quick to hear me and faithful to answer.”

Eleanor Whitmore stared up into the night sky as the cold began to seep into her body. Her time was over in this world. Whatever it was God had wanted her to complete, it was finished. But it seemed too soon. Emma was still so very young and needed so much care and guidance. How could it be her time now? Why now?

I gave her to you, but she has always been mine, just as you have. Your time as her mother is over. It is time for you to come home. But her time is only beginning. I have heard you, Eleanor, faithful one. I will answer your pleas. Emma Whitmore will change the world, and you started her on that path, just as I intended for you to do. Now she will take what you’ve taught her and continue on.

I love her.

She knows.

You love her more.

She knows that too.

Goodbye, Emma Jean. It was such an honor to be your mother.

She has heard you. Now come home, child.

Emma finished the song, and as she closed her eyes and let sleep take her, she heard her mama’s voice. “Goodbye, Emma Jean. It was such an honor to be your mother.”

Emma smiled and whispered, “You’ve never stopped being my mama. You’re just doing it from a different home now.”