Funny. He’d almost succeeded. Thank goodness the Holy Spirit had intervened on her behalf.
All the anger and pride melted away, and she gave him a genuine smile. “It was lovely to perform in this magnificent hall and share a bit of music with the audience.” She curtsied. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to thank our host and hostess.”
The man mumbled something harsh, but she ignored him and walked in the direction Melanie steered.
“They told me they would be in a private room in the palace, but I’m not certain where.” Her friend spoke in a low tone.
Conversations swirled around Chaisley as she and Mel walked away. Then the voice from earlier pierced through the cacophony. The same man who spoke of the professors being arrested. The words she’d overheard earlier barreled to the forefront of her mind and made her stomach clench.
“Where are we? I’m disoriented.” Shehadto stop allowing her emotions to get to her. She felt as though she’d fallen off the piano bench and into oblivion. If she wanted to help, she’d haveto be stronger than this. To hold up against conversations she heard from Nazi allies, to deal with naysayers like the man at the end of her concert.
“We’re heading for the private ladies’ room to freshen up. It was next to the room we waited in before the concert.”
“Thank you.” Now that she could imagine it in her mind, she didn’t feel as if the world were off kilter.
After a ten-minute break in the washroom to gather herself and do her best to wash the swirling words from her mind, she nodded at Melanie. “I’m afraid I’ve allowed my pride to get in the way, Mel.”
“What do you mean?”
“Wanting to use this tour to help ... thinking I was strong enough, famous enough—”she waved a hand and shook her head—“to withstand this. But hearing those men speak earlier? It shook me. To my very core. This is real. Lives are on the line. We are on the verge of war ... And then that man at the end? I’ve been so accustomed to everyone’s applause and praise. This gift God has given me is incredible—I know that—but I’ve taken it for granted.”
“Don’t let the words of that man—”
Chaisley held up a hand. “I’m not worried about what he said, although I’ll admit he riled me up. I feel as if the Holy Spirit took over for me and calmed me. And then I had the most unusual thought. Jesus was praised in the streets a mere week before the crowds cried to crucify Him. At the concert where Hitler was present, I wondered if those cheering for me and singing my praises were the same who praised the Nazi leader. It makes me think of what our Lord must have gone through.” She gave a sad laugh. “And yet, I know He didn’t have His own pride standing in the way...” Letting the words linger for a moment, she bit her lip and then continued. “My prayer was to be more like Jesus. And I’m realizing I have such a long way to go.”
“Oh, Chais...” Melanie sniffed. “I hadn’t even thought aboutwhat that must be like for you.” She sniffed again and then blew her nose. “You inspire me more and more each day to be more like Jesus. And even if we can help just one—that must be why we’re here.”
Chaisley opened her arms and leaned forward. Her friend moved into them, and they held each other for several seconds.
After a moment, she pulled back, giving Melanie’s hands a squeeze. “All right, there’s so much more I want to say, but I don’t want to keep our hosts waiting.”
“Why don’t you sit here and collect yourself. There’s a comfy-looking chair in the corner here. Seven steps to your right.” Melanie led her to the chair and Chaisley sank into it with a sigh. “Good. Now how about I go find them and then I’ll come and get you?”
“That’s a good plan.” She held up a hand. “Do we know if they are Nazi sympathizers?”
“No. Sorry.”
Chaisley smoothed her hands over her dress. “That’s all right. I just wanted to prepare myself.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I find them. Stay in here. I’ll make sure Rick is outside the door.”
“Thank you.” She waited until she heard the door close and then lifted her face upward.
God, help me. I need Your armor more than ever. I wanted to punch that man in the face. Forgive me for my pride and my ugly thoughts toward him. Help me to honor You.
She recited the passage from Ephesians. “‘...be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
“‘Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, andhaving on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
“‘And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints—’”
The door creaked, and she turned her face toward it.
“I’ve found them.” The joy in Melanie’s voice was indescribable. “You are going to love them. They are believers, Chais, and they need our help.”
Chaisley closed her eyes. Fellow believers! Finally, some good news after a difficult evening.Lord, thank You for the chance to help Your people.Her throat was thick with tears, but she swallowed them. There would be time to process all her jumbled emotions later. “Let’s go hear their story.” She allowed her friend to lead her to the couple and heard a door click softly behind them.
“We shouldn’t be disturbed here.” A man’s gentle voice greeted her ears. “And all the Nazi officers have left.”
