Ambrosia grew up quick. Not big and strong, but emotionally mature. She learned to defend herself and learn about others from a distance. She couldn’t just trust people anymore. Not after years of Tera’s mind games. It always seemed like there was a trap-and Ambrosia was always falling into it. He would take what she wanted most and use it against her. When she got wise to that, he would get angry, and that would make her fall in line again. You are supposed to respect adults.
Ambrosia started her own secret life-one she could control. One where she could gather some answers. If her mother wanted her to spend time with Tera-she would certainly do that. On her own terms. When she was in control she’d get answers. When a young girl wants answers, she’ll find a way to get them.
Each night Ambrosia would ask her mother to sleep with her-and each morning she would have to ask why she never came to bed. Her mother would always tell her there just wasn’t enough room with Ambrosia and Tera already in bed. Ambrosia began to wonder if it was Tera’s plan to beat her mother to bed. She decided to keep trying her experiment for a bit. On several occasions, Ambrosia would wake to the shaking or force of the bed moving. Sometimes she would fidget and Tera would retreat, but other times Ambrosia still entered into her day full of pain. After two or three years, Ambrosia became a very deep sleeper. Almost as if a part of her didn’t want to be aware of the reality she lived.
One day at school Ambrosia’s schoolmaster brought some soldiers in to speak to the children. While they were there they talked of how children have boundaries just like adults and how adults need to respect these boundaries. Ambrosia, although young, found it strange that soldiers were talking about such things. As she listened to them they said things like “no one should ever touch you in a way that makes you uncomfortable” and “if someone, even your parents, doesn’t respect your boundaries you need to tell someone and get help”. Ambrosia perked up. They couldn’t be talking to her specifically, could they? That would mean that her secret had been found out. It all made sense, why else did her teacher have the soldiers come and talk about this. Perhaps Ambrosia should say something. Speak up now. They were there to help anyway. What if that would get Tera into trouble? Or her mom? What if Ambrosia is to blame for this? After all-she liked the games. They made her laugh. Again she decided to keep it to herself.
On the way home from school, Ambrosia’s best friend, Sophia talked about the soldiers and their discussion. She asked Ambrosia if she thought any one’s parents were doing bad things. Ambrosia said “NO, why? Do you?” Sophia didn’t know about Tera and the things he would do to Ambrosia. She never told Sophia. Sophia mentioned that maybe Heidi’s dad did that stuff because Sophia thought he was gross. Ambrosia didn’t think so. Sophia kept talking about it. Then she asked if Tera ever did anything to Ambrosia. Ambrosia got embarrassed and angry. How was everyone figuring this out? She must look different from everyone? It seemed like the whole world knew what was happening to her. She thought about telling Sophia-but instead acted like she never heard the question.
Later that evening while playing at Sophia’s house-Ambrosia broke her silence. She pleaded with Sophia to not say anything. It had to remain their secret. IF she ever told, Ambrosia would never be friends with Sophia again.

I was in church one Sunday listening to the sermon entitled “Wonders of Heaven”. It was centered around the idea that there are 3 wonders to Heaven. One-You wonder if so and so is there, Two-You wonder how they got there, and Three-You wonder how you got there. This got me to thinking.





