Part 5 Review

Where was God in all of Inette's heart ache? Right by Inette's side.
Do you remember what Captain Reigner did before he talked to Inette? He prayed to God, asking Him to give him the words to speak, and that Inette would listen. Right after that he was simply there for her, and didn't speak. Sometimes the best comfort you can give a person is just to sit quietly with them.
Letting someone know you are praying for them is great too, and sometimes it's even better to pray with them.
Inette gave up her fear and sadness to God. And He will always answer you the same way He did Inette. With a peace no one can explain. He may not prevent the hurt, and He may not cure the hurt, but He will always be by our side.
It's okay if you have questions for God, it's okay to pray without words. All He wants is your heart, so He can heal it like nothing else can.

Thank you for reading Inette's Sanctuary! I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a comment, follow by email for more, and share with your friends and family!

-Elizabeth
Jesus Loves You!

Inette's Sanctuary: Part 5

Inette grieved deeply over the loss of William. After two weeks William was buried, and his death became all too real. Inette knew now that he was never coming back.

She secluded herself from everyone. She would talk to neither father nor mother. She would stay by the river’s bank long after sunset, frightening her parents more than once. She hardly ate, and never saw a stranger’s face.

She cried to God. “Why?” She sobbed. “After all that he did for me, why did You take him away?”

Inette saw no light, no shred of hope. She had opened her heart, and now it hurt. This was worse than anything she ever feared. Her best friend she ever had was gone, and she didn’t even know him for very long.

Her parents tried talking with her, but she would not heed their words. They turned to the only other person she trusted for help.

Captain Reigner knew that if he could not reach her, she would be lost forever. Praying for the right words and a listening ear, Reigner ventured into Inette’s sanctuary.

He walked up to her side and sat down. He said nothing. After a moment, Inette leaned against him and wept.

Reigner held her tight. “There, there,” he whispered. “Let it go. Let it all out.”

Inette drenched the Captain’s coat with her sobs.

Reigner lifted the girl’s chin and said, “Look at me. Nothing I can say will ever take away the heart ache. I know you loved him, and I have a feeling you never fully realized it yourself before now.”

Inette turned her eyes downward.

“I also know that William loved you. And if he could speak to you now, he would not want you to grieve as you do. I have had the privilege of watching you grow up, and I have never been prouder of you then I have been these past several months since you met William. You have fought to conquer your fears and leave your comfort zones. I hate to see you give up now, and I know William would not have wanted you to give up either.”

Inette pulled out a bundle of letters from the pocket in her cloak. She laid them out and said, with a hiccup, “I know.”

Inette let Reigner look at her letters, and though he didn’t know how deep their relationship had grown, he could see its evolution with each piece of paper.

“Cherish your friendship,” Reigner said. “God gave you William when you needed him most. Don’t let the lessons you learned from him die with his body. For he is with Jesus now, and I know they are watching over you. I love you, my dear, and I’m praying for you.”

Reigner kissed Inette on the forehead and left her alone.

Inette knew all that Captain Reigner said was true. Though she loved William, she knew that God loved her more. All that she ever believed was being tested now. She knew what she had to do.

Inette got down on her knees and prayed to God saying, “I am afraid. I admit it. Help me to conquer my fear. I know You haven’t left me, and You took William home. Help me follow your will for my life, and give me strength… and comfort.”

The last word she sobbed, and the rest of her prayer was poured out from her heart without words. When she was finished, a soft wind blew over her, and she felt peace.

From that day forward she took up William’s dream as her own. She sailed across the world, meeting new people, and sharing her renewed faith in Jesus. She found her greatest comfort and sanctuary in her Savior. She eventually married and had two children of her own. Though she still needed a retreat from time to time, she no longer consumed the bread of idleness, and worked to preserve the memory of her dear friend.

Just like William had wished, Inette found the place she loved the most and stayed after she was satisfied with her travels. She returned home to her parents and Captain Reigner, for there was no place she loved more.

Part 4 Review

Is William really dead? Poor Inette! What will she do now? All her progress was made because of her new friend. But... Did she place all her hope and trust in the wrong thing?
People will always let you down, whether on purpose, or without realizing it. Bad things will happen, and there is nothing we can do about it. But God will never let you down! He is forever faithful, and never leaves your side, through the good times, and the bad times. So... Where is God in all of Inette's heart ache?
Find out in the conclusion to Inette's Sanctuary, Part 5, available to read a week early on April 13th.

-Elizabeth
Jesus Loves You!

Inette's Sanctuary: Part 4

The next day brought Inette a note telling her that William was planning an evening of either quiet solitude, or more exciting circumstances. Whichever she chose. As long as she was happy, and they got to spend time together before he left.

Inette’s mother, so curious about what was happening, asked Inette why she blushed as she read the note.

Inette said nothing, and let her mother read it for herself.

“You are going to see him again?”

“It seems so,” Inette answered.

“You like Captain William, don’t you?”

“I find his company agreeable, and his convictions convict me.”

“I’m happy to see you happy, my dear. What will you choose?”

“I’m not sure.”

Inette took the note back and reread it several times as she walked to her river spot. She thought that, since William had only accompanied her in quiet places so far, that she ought to try things his way.

That night Inette dressed her finest, and William his best. He escorted her to an opera, a fine dinner, and a festival. These activities involved many crowds. Inette was quiet and shy, but she managed well, enjoying the evening.

As William walked her home, he told her that he had a splendid time.

“I did as well,” Inette smiled softly.

“I hate to have to leave you so soon,” William continued. “I hope that we may keep a correspondence.”

“I should like that.”

William kissed Inette’s hand again and told her goodbye, then left her safely at her house.

Inette could barely sleep. She swayed and danced in her room, thinking of her time with William. Then she got an idea. She figured that the first step she could take in changing her ways was to limit her retreat to the river to every other day. This would force her to become more sociable, and work harder to keep from running and hiding.

She tried this plan of hers for many weeks. It was hard at first, and she could not resist running to her retreat on a day she was not supposed to more than once. After the first three weeks she was able to hold to her resolve. Once she became comfortable with her new schedule, she changed it to every two days. This, she believed, was as far as she would go.

In the meantime, she wrote letters to William. William would write to her about his adventures, and praise her for her new resolve, and challenged her, encouraging her, to push herself further from her comfort zones.

Over time their letters became more intimate, expressing their growing desires to be together soon.

After six months Inette stopped receiving letters from William. The letters would pause for a week while William was on the sea, and then continue once he was on land again. But this time, the week passed, and there was silence. Inette waited another week, and still nothing.

Inette told her father about the strange silence, and he said he would look into it.

Inette continued bravely, hoping that William was simply too busy at his latest port to write.

She continued to persist in her resolve to change her idle hands into working hands. She shopped for her mother, entertained dinner guests, and began making bigger plans in her head to travel and see the world.

Inette’s mother came to her one day and said, “I am so proud of you, my dear. You are conquering your fears, and growing stronger, braver, and more beautiful every day.”

“Thank you, mother,” was all Inette said, for she was still a girl of few words.

A couple of days later, Inette’s father brought her news of William’s condition. He told her to sit down, and brought in her mother as well.

His face was very grave, and his hands trembled.

“Is everything okay?” Inette asked.

“I’m afraid it’s not,” Inette’s father said, his voice faltering.

“Captain William’s ship was caught in a storm a week ago. Of the forty crew members, only five survived.”

Inette’s hands jumped to her mouth.

“And the Captain?” Inette’s mother asked.

“He died saving the five.”

“No!” Inette cried. She fell to the floor, raining heavy tears onto the red carpet beneath her.