25

Nia plopped on her bed, closing her mind to everything except the power—her power. Clutching the crystal, she visualized her power as the sun. She allowed its heat to penetrate each of her cells.

Someone knocked on the door.

She tried to ignore it, but it became louder and more insistent. Nia sighed as she opened her eyes. “Who is it?”

Another loud knock.

She got off the bed and opened the door.

Dr. Danforth stood there.

Nia put her hand with the crystal behind her back. “Dr. Danforth, what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to check on you.”

“Why?”

“Did you forget what I said at orientation? I’m not just your academic advisor, but I’m your mother and father while you’re here. And since you’ve been missing classes, I wanted to see what was going on with you.”

Now that she wasn’t seeing Bart any longer, she’d thrown all her energy into becoming the healer she knew she could be. And that meant seeing Sunny more and going to class less. “I…uh…I’ve been busy.”

“So Miss Tanya said when I asked her about you, but I’m a little confused.”

“About what?”

“What could you be so busy doing?”

“Oh, well. I’ve been volunteering and it’s taken more of my time than I realized.” That was the truth—sort of.

“Volunteer hours are not to be done during class time. That’s why you have no classes on Friday afternoons.” She smiled and walked into the room without an invitation. She sat down at Nia’s desk. “I applaud you for your efforts. However, class is just as important as volunteering. In fact, at this stage in your life—more important.”

Nia no longer felt the needed college. Sunny was helping her to become a healer. That was what she was born to do. Even Rachel had thought so. “I know, but I’m helping with this special project, and then things can get back to normal.”

Dr. Danforth nodded. “I see. So you’re saying you’ll continue to miss classes.” Her tone told Nia she wasn’t happy.

“I’ll try to do better.” Those were the same words she’d said to Sunny. It seemed as if she disappointed everyone. She sat down the bed, letting the crystal fall on the cover, hoping Dr. Danforth didn’t see it.

“This doesn’t sound much like you Nia. You’re one of my most eager students. And now you’re just missing all these classes. Without even talking to me about it. Do you have any idea how far behind you probably are?” Before Nia could answer, she continued, “Nevertheless, I trust you, so I won’t make a fuss about it. But before I go, perhaps we could read a few Bible verses together.”

If that would make her go away. “Fine.”

“Let’s go to First Timothy chapter four.”

Nia got her tablet off the night stand and brought up her Bible app.

“Why don’t you read verse one?” Dr. Danforth asked.

“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.” Her stomach fluttered. Why had Dr. Danforth picked that verse? What did she know about what was going on?

“Do you understand what the verse is getting at?”

“Not really.”

“Just because someone says they’re a Christian doesn’t make it so. Lots of people and groups will pick and choose parts of Christianity but then add their own beliefs. That’s not Christianity. That’s deception.”

Nia looked down at her bed.

“I did a little checking on Helping Hands. I won’t say they aren’t doing good things as far as feeding the poor, but their philosophy is definitely not Christian.”

Nia started to protest.

Dr. Danforth held up a hand. “I’m not here to argue or debate. All I ask is that you pray about it. Ask God for wisdom and discernment. He will not ignore your request.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because God is faithful.” She stood up and placed a card on the desk. “Here’s my number. Feel free to call me if you need to talk more. Anytime. It doesn’t matter. You call me if you need me.”

“Thanks.”

Dr. Danforth picked up the crystal that had been in Nia’s hand only moments before. “Acts 17: 29 says, ‘Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.’ Any group that resorts to these type of things is not from God.” She tossed it back on the bed. “All I ask, Nia, is that you ask questions. Then let the Holy Spirit judge their answers.”

“How am I supposed to know what the Holy Spirit thinks?”

“Listen for His still, small Voice. That nudge is the Holy Spirit.”

Those were the same words Rachel had written in her letter so long ago. Nia wasn’t even the same person any longer. That person had thought she would become a healer. And now Sunny was helping her make it happen. How could that be wrong? “I really feel I’m doing what God wants me to do.”

“Feelings can lie, Nia.”

“But I don’t think they are. I really think I’m doing the right thing.”

“The right thing never makes you keep secrets from people you care about. Have you talked with your aunt or have you been keeping secrets from her, too?”

“Not telling someone is not the same as keeping secrets.”

“Are you sure about that? You need to ask questions. Lots of questions, and then listen to the answers and let the Holy Spirit guide you.” Dr. Danforth left.

Nia stared at the crystal on her bed. There wasn’t anything wrong with it.

Sunny had explained that it was just a tool. A tool like prayer or the Bible.

She picked it up. Its warmth comforted her. There was nothing wrong with the crystal or with Helping Hands or Sunny. Sunny only wanted to help her access her gift.

Nia wanted that as well. But she had to admit, she was uncomfortable with the secrecy surrounding their sessions. It was part of the reason she’d withheld so much from Bart. Over the years, she’d learned it was easier not to have to explain to people about her anointing. No one seemed to understand.

Except Sunny. Sunny accepted her. She wanted to help Nia become a healer.

The sessions hadn’t helped yet, but Nia was willing to keep trying.