Page 83 of The Guardian's Promise

“I—”

“No! I have always known my duty is here. I have no brothers. My father has no sons to carry on our way of life. It is my duty to marry a man—”

“Daughter,” Caleb said as he stepped forward. “Your willingness to sacrifice yourself is admirable and I love you for it. However, I will not allow it. If your heart belongs to Ariel, then so be it.”

“I will not abandon you, Abba. Nor will I abandon all of your hopes and dreams to live mine.” Her gaze shifted to Ari’s. “No matter how big they are.”

Ari motioned to one of his kin. He waited until his cousin brought forth a small wooden table, and then he knelt before her. He reached into his girdle and pulled out a leather strap and an awl. With the objects, he raised his hand to her. “Then I will remain forever your bond servant, Sh’mira, daughter of Caleb.”

For a moment she only stared at him, and then she fell to her knees. “You would be willing to give up everything for me?”

“Yes. Mira, I love you with all of my soul. All of my being, if only you will take me as your husband.”

“What of your family?”

“I have many brothers. My father has many sons.” He smiled. “Certainly we can visit often.”

“You are certain?”

“I have never been more certain of anything, ahavah.” He pressed his lips to her brow. “Will you take me as your husband for eternity?”

“For eternity.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“For eternity.”

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from WINNING OVER THE WRANGLER by Linda Ford.

Dear Reader,

I pray you enjoyed reading Ari and Mira’s story as much as I did writing it. I’m sure many of you are wondering about this fictional story. Let me start by saying that the only real people are Athaliah, Joash, Jehoiada and Jehosheba. All other characters are fictional.

I’m sure many of you are familiar with the Bible story about King Joash and you’re probably scratching your head. Believe me, it’s not my intention to go against any passages of the Bible. My prayer, above all, is that you’ll see the message of Ari and Sh’mira’s story: God’s love for us, even when we don’t do things exactly right. His grace supersedes law. As Jesus says in Matthew 5:17, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”

You can send mail to me in care of Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, New York 10279. You can also find me at www.authorchristinarich.com.

Many blessings,

Christina Rich

Questions for Discussion

What was your favorite part of Ari and Mira’s story?

Because of the attitudes toward Mira’s disfigurement, she assumes Ari pities her and therefore holds no regard for him. Have you ever judged the intents of people’s hearts because of how you were treated by others? How did you resolve it?

During a conversation with his master, Ari’s conscience wars within him, because he is bound by duty for the greater good of Judah to keep a secret, yet he refuses to tell a lie if asked outright. What sorts of situations have you found yourself in where a good deed clashes with your morals? How did you handle the situation?

Mira confides in Ari that she fears her future marriage to a man whose character is questionable. Ari asks her if she’s taken her concerns to God. He reminds her that God delights in our conversation with Him, even in the small things. What situations have you tried to shoulder the burden on your own before taking them to God?

Ari begins to feel as if God has abandoned him. He even questions God’s faithfulness. Think of a time when life seemed difficult. Did you cling to any scriptural promises? What were they?

Mira wonders if her prayers could cause another’s prayers to go unanswered. Her mother’s response is to say that ultimately her trust needs to be with God. Prayers aren’t always answered in ways we think they should be. What are some prayers you’ve prayed that seemed unanswered, but that God worked out greater than you could fathom?

Mira loves her sister, but she’s difficult to get along with, especially with her well-meaning care that comes off rude. Do you have difficult people in your life? How do you get along with them and forgive their insensitive ways?

At one point Ari puts complete trust in God to keep Mira and Joash safe. Have you ever blindly trusted God? What are some of those situations?

James 1:2–3 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” Becoming a bond servant obviously wasn’t an ideal situation for an ambitious warrior like Ari, yet he found blessings in the situation. Have there been occasions in your life that were not ideal, but where God showered you with blessings? What were they?

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