I am the angel Fabrielle and I have come to work with Sophia on the question of Love as it relates to The Change We Need. It’s a tremendously exciting topic and a passion of mine. I am going to weave a story about love in order to teach some important lessons to humanity at this time.
It is so fun to watch your people rising into awareness of your divine nature today! Although angels have always interacted with our human charges, we are free to do so in new and exciting ways at this time in your history. This is due to your recent spiritual growth and evolution. So many of you are stepping into divine service right now! Our greatest hope and expectation is that this book (now blog) and similar works will support you in greater and greater hunger for the miracles that await you.
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Our story begins with a child. She is tiny, this one, almost impossibly so. Born to immigrants far from the home of her people, the tiny one slides into the world in a gush of sacred water as her mother cries in fear at the knocking on the door. They live in secret, the people of her family. Like many families forced from their lands, they are unsure of their next meal. The road always calls to them and they move ever onward, seeking a new home while looking back in longing and grief.
The tiny one survives despite the cough she develops in the second week of her life. Her mother’s milk is filled with life force and her mother’s breast is warm. She has what she needs even as the family continues to move on and on again.
In the tradition of her people, the tiny one is named and given to the Spirit of Love for safekeeping. The ceremony happens in the back of a dusty truck one day when her father realizes, with some shame, he hasn’t yet attended to the dedication of his daughter to God. She is called Sephra for an angel friend who saved the life of her great grandfather many years ago. Sephra begins to grow.
Sephra has a sister, born when she is three years old. The sister is called Jophiel and she is a round one. The two girls fight and disagree sometimes, but mostly they are best friends.
When Sephra reaches the age of five, her family finally settles. After so many years of traveling, Sephra has gained wisdom uncommon to many children her age. She has seen suffering and experienced trials of fear, hunger, cold, unkindness and discrimination. Her mother is worn but determined to provide a life of abundance and a future for her children. Her father is angry and proud but capable of providing for and protecting his family. Despite the hardships they’ve faced, the family begins to thrive in their new home.
One day when Sephra is helping her mother to wash the dishes, she hears a calling in her head. She realizes the calling is not coming from around her. It sounds and feels much like the voice of her own mind-heart, but the texture of the calling is different, deeper, more distant and yet closer to her than her mother standing at her side. Sephra excuses herself as she finishes drying the last platter and walks to the small garden behind their home.
“Who are you?” she asks the voice. “I can hear you but I can’t quite make out your words.”
“I am the Voice of Love,” says the voice. “I’ve come to call you to my side. Are you ready?”
“Ready? Ready for what exactly?” asks Sephra. She has little fear in her heart, but she has learned lessons of caution from her parents. Living as a refugee has made her wary.
“Oh, tiny one, I am here to be your friend and companion on a great adventure. I’ve always been with you, but now you are ready to step into the joyous dance of friendship with me,” responds the voice. “Are you ready?” the voice inquires again.
“I’ve never had a friend before,” says Sephra in response to these questions. “I have a sister and she is like a friend, but she is also family. What does it mean to be a friend?”
The Voice of Love hums a bit for a moment as if in consideration of this question and then it answers with this riddle, “What has four fingers, a thumb and a flat place like a cup?”
“A hand, of course!” replies Sephra with a bit of irk in her tone. She isn’t sure she’s comfortable playing games during what seems like such a momentous conversation. She wants a serious answer!
As if reading her mind, the Voice of Love soothes her with the following words. “Oh Sephra, yes, a hand is the answer to my riddle. It’s also the answer to your question about what makes a friend. Take my hand and I will show you friendship.” And out of the cool evening air in front of her face, a wisp of smoky something that might have been a cloud of gnats or a puff of smoke from a nearby cook fire forms a hand.
Sephra stares at the hand for a moment. Then, as if to clear her mind of the whole conversation, she waves her own hand into the smoky something and feels herself falling.
Sephra falls into the stars of the night and then into the dawning sun as her planet spins round. She looks up and sees the stars smiling at her and she knows great peace. The hand is still with her. Now the hand is made of the fading tail of a comet and she realizes she has taken it in her own small hand, extended out in front of her and raised. “Love,” she says, “where are we?” There is no impatience in her voice this time, nor fear. Sephra is simply curious about the beauty of the space around her and the miracle of being there.
“You are in the Womb of Creation, my child,” answers the Voice of Love. “This is where you were born in Spirit.”
“Why have you brought me here?” asks Sephra. She puzzles at the meaning of things.
“I wanted you to know you were made of stardust and love. Also, friends share the truth with each other. This is a way to answer your question about friendship too,” offers the Voice.
“It’s very beautiful here, peaceful,” muses Sephra. She feels herself floating in quiet bliss, almost as if she were suspended in perfectly warm seawater. Her muscles reflect the serene joy of her spirit and she drifts into sleep. Dreams come to her of angels in a land filled with rainbows. There are people and animals of every imaginable color, size, shape and gift. Sephra walks and talks with these creatures and knows herself as a Child of Creation.
She wakes to find herself in her own small bed, next to her sister. She has no memory of climbing the stairs to her room the night before, no memory of anything after the strange conversation she had with the Voice of Love. Sephra marvels at the weight and depth of her dream. If it was a dream…
It is morning now and Sephra rises to prepare for the day. She has chores to attend to, animals need feeding and there is clothing to wash. Every day Sephra helps her parents with the tasks of the home and garden. She also spends some time in study. Her mother and father share what they know, teaching her the ways of living in interconnection with all life and all that is.
Sometimes, on special occasions, Sephra attends a local community gathering. There are many of these gatherings. People come together to exchange goods and services, to celebrate and mourn, to listen together to The Way of The Land. At these times, Sephra goes round to greet and share in the stories of the people. Sometimes she even shares a story herself.
One Sunday long after her time with the Voice of Love, Sephra travels to the local market to sell a few of the squash her family grows with such abundance and to buy a few onions that never seem to grow as happily in their plot of earth. While she is shopping, she sees a young man, maybe a few years older than herself, picking through the leeks. There is something about this young man that reminds Sephra of her time with the Voice of Love and her visit to the land of rainbows and Children of Creation. She decides to catch his attention.
Sephra walks directly up to the young man, still inspecting the leeks, and she clears her voice. “Hello, my name is Sephra. I wonder if you would like to hear a story. I have one to share.”
The boy looks up in surprise and smiles at Sephra. His face lights up in radiance and Sephra is caught by a sudden sense of embarrassment at how forward she has been in addressing this young man to whom she has never even been introduced. What was I thinking?!, she wonders.
For a long while, the boy continues to smile while he scans Sephra’s face. Do I know this girl? he thinks to himself. The girl’s face turns a bit pink as she waits patiently for a response and the boy smiles even more at her embarrassment. Swiftly, the boy chooses three leeks and puts them into his basket before he turns back to the girl with an answer. “I would love to hear a good story if you’ve got one. I’m a writer myself and a good story always makes my soul sing. Shall we sit in the courtyard while you tell it?”
Sephra exhales a bit with relief that the young man has accepted her offer. “Sounds good,” she replies and the two set off for the courtyard.
In the courtyard, the sun feels impossibly bright, and the small waterway gurgles enthusiastically, almost as if welcoming the two young people to join in his dance. Birds land and take flight suddenly as they enjoy the many seeds and breadcrumbs the townspeople have laid on the smooth paving stones of the central square. Their songs and chirps fill the air with noisy chatter. A young goat wanders through the courtyard snuffling at the bread until a young woman, his friend and caretaker, spots him as she rounds the corner. She waves shyly at the two young people as she collects the goat and drives him forth with a gentle tapping of the cane at her side.
The young man points out a bench beneath a crabapple tree in one corner and invites Sephra to sit. “My name is Jonathan,” he says. “How are you called?”
“I go by the name of Sephra, after an angel who saved the life of my great-grandfather in the days of the breaking,” she replies.
“Is that the story you’ve got to share? It sounds like a good one! Some of the old stories are the best, in my opinion. I love them!” says Jonathan in a rush of excitement.
Sephra marvels for a time at having found such a willing listener. “No, my story is my own. I want to tell you about the time when I was visited by the Voice of Love.”
“My ears are yours, Sephra. Share your tale,” responds Jonathan as he leans closer to listen. Just then, a small spark of electricity jumps from Jonathan’s hand to Sephra’s. The two startle and then laugh at the unexpected flare.
Two hours pass and Sephra is nearing the end of her story. She pantomimes her descriptions of the many people and animals she met in the land of rainbows. Jonathan laughs and occasionally gasps in disbelief at the details of her adventure.
“Tell me again how the man-horse shared his flowers with you!” begs Jonathan as it becomes clear Sephra is nearing the end of her tale. He does indeed enjoy a good story and Sephra’s is one of the best he has ever heard.
Sephra sighs and smiles at the obvious delight of her audience, but she knows it is time to close. “I’d better return home now, Jonathan,” she says with some disappointment. “My father is making a stew for dinner and he’ll want these onions.”
“Yes, I suppose I had better return home too,” replies Jonathan. “I have horses that need fresh pasture.”
“Horses!” exclaims Sephra. “I love horses. Do you think I might see them one day?” she asks.
“Sure, why don’t you come and visit on Sunday next, that way you can see the new foal. It should be born by then,” offers Jonathan. He smiles at Sephra, gives her directions to his family’s homestead, and thanks her with a bow to show his respect for the time and her gift of sharing. Sephra bows in return and the two go their separate ways.
The following Sunday, Sephra packs her knapsack for her trip to Jonathan’s family homestead. Her parents know Jonathan’s through the city council of listeners and gave their support of her visit to the farm. They pack a gift of sacred stones and a fresh loaf of bread for Sephra to share with the family upon her arrival. She travels by bicycle through roads worn and patchy with asphalt ancient and new. Past a bend in the main road, she spots their lane and the sign announcing their name and business, “Farley and Sons - Horses and Healing for Work and Renewal.”
Minutes later, Sephra is riding up to a faded clapboard home on a small ridge. She leans her bike next to the garage and takes a moment to catch her breath. The view is stunning here and the wind fresh in her face. Jonathan pops around the corner of the garage in an instant and startles her. “Why hello!” she says with surprise.
“Hello yes!” says Jonathan. “Are you here to see the horses? The baby came just last night. I think you’ll enjoy seeing her. She’s so spirited for having just been born. Maybe you can help us find a name for her.”
“I would love to help if I can,” replies Sephra. “I can’t believe my good fortune at having found a person who enjoys a good story and has horses to share!” Sephra winks at Jonathan then and the two set off for the barn.
Inside the barn, the small foal frolics and dances on still unsteady legs beside her mother. Sephra is shocked by her beauty. The tiny horse is so perfect! Her silky coat of nearly blue black shines in the soft light. Her mane and tail are curly from her time in her mother’s womb. “Why she looks like the endless darkness of the expanding universe,” whispers Sephra in awe. “Maybe you could call her Galaxy.”
Jonathan picks up a small curry comb and offers some love and tender brushes to the tired mare. “Take a look at the swirl on her rump. It sure looks like a galaxy to me! I’ll ask dad what he thinks later. He usually leads the naming ceremony,” Jonathan explains as he continues brushing.
“Is it OK to come closer?” asks Sephra. “I don’t want to upset the mother.”
“Oh sure. I’m right here and Francie is a truly gentle horse. She knows I wouldn’t let any harm come to her or the foal.”
Sephra makes cooing sounds then, talking to the mother horse, telling her how beautiful her baby is while offering her hand for a sniff. As she inches closer, she peeks around the mare’s shoulder to get a better look at the small foal’s hindquarters. What she sees then bends her mind into a complicated fold. There, on the rump of a tiny horse is the exact form and shape of the hand belonging to the Voice of Love! With a small gasp, she steps back as if she can’t quite comprehend the mystery before her, but it’s unmistakable. It’s the same hand…
Some time later, Sephra wakes feeling flushed in her face. Looking up, she sees raw concern on the face of Jonathan. “Sephra, are you OK?” Jonathan asks. “You must have fainted. I looked over the mare just as you were going down. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, Jonathan. Thank you for your concern,” responds Sephra. “Do you mind if I just lie here for a moment longer to get my bearings? I’m not sure what happened.” But in a rush of awareness, she does know. The hand!
“Sure, Sephra, you just relax there. Francie and the foal are fine. You can share their stall for awhile longer,” he smiles with worry still pulling at the sides of his eyes.
After a few moments, Sephra rises from the straw, plucking at her clothes to catch the extra pieces and feeling gratitude for the soft landing. “Jonathan,” she nearly whispers, “the markings on the foal… they are exactly the shape of the hand that came for me in my story.”
“Oh Sephra,” he replies. “Are you sure? Come and look again.”
Bracing herself this time with a stiff intake of air, Sephra approaches the small creature for a second look. “Yes, it’s exactly the same.” With a shaking hand, she reaches out to trace the shape on the foal’s soft, smooth coat. “I never realized the Hand of Love forms a galaxy,” she murmurs as she strokes the tiny being.
Time passes as time does and Sephra grows into a woman. The horse named Galaxy now belongs to Sephra and Jonathan. They steward the homestead on the ridge as Jonathan’s parents, and Sephra’s too, have stepped into the role of community elders. Jophiel lives with her partner Sarah in a small home near the center of town. Jophiel and Sarah care for children who’ve lost their parents there. The whole of the community offers support for their service.
One of Sephra’s contributions to the lives of the children is also one of her favorite activities. Once a week she brings the old mare Galaxy into town so the children can learn to hear her voice. Galaxy is a gifted teacher whose spirit has touched the lives of nearly everyone in their community. There was a time when Galaxy would eagerly invite a rider, but today with age, she prefers to walk unencumbered. Sephra walks at her side along the limestone trail that runs parallel to the road.
As they enter town, people shout salutations and greetings of every kind to the lovely black mare and her steward. Sometimes a person will stop to offer a bit of song or a loving touch to the animal. Sephra takes all this in as treasures.
Once at the home of the children, Sephra walks round to the patio in the back and settles Galaxy into her favorite corner. The children have already filled a large bucket with water for her. Galaxy drinks eagerly.
In a moment the back door bursts open and a gaggle of laughing children spill into the yard. Galaxy looks up and snorts an acknowledgement of the group. These little ones are like herd to her, like family. Her patience with them is nothing short of amazing.
Sephra takes her rest in the rocking chair at the patio’s corner, right next to her friend the mare. One by one, the children approach Sephra and ask permission to speak with Galaxy. Sephra checks in with Galaxy each time and each time receives a resounding, welcoming “Yes!” from the Voice of Love.
Respectfully each child kneels in the grass below the mare’s head and allows her to sniff their hair and scalp before they rise and lay their hands on her. Galaxy has taught them this and with joy, they honor her.
Each child has a way of conversing with the great mare. One child brings her small flowers. Galaxy snuffles and then eats the blooms daintily as the child rests her forehead on the mare’s shoulder. Later, Sarah will guide the child in bringing her soul learning into consciousness, but now their time is a simple exchange of friends.
Another child, a young boy of twelve years, comes to Galaxy whispering and cooing in a language only he and Galaxy understand. He is trusted with the grooming tools, ministering to her great mane and tail, checking in to ensure he isn’t causing her discomfort when he removes a burr or picks out her hooves. This boy visits the farmstead regularly these days. His gift for ministering to horses is strong and deep.
Finally Galaxy is ready to sing. Sensing this, the children gather around her, some sit on the bales of straw placed here and there in a circle, others plop onto the ground. Two children, the boy of twelve and a girl maybe a year or two older, stand on either side of Galaxy. They hold her mane in two places close to her shoulders. Galaxy shakes her head lazily and she begins.
Galaxy’s song is low and quiet. It starts with a rumble in her throat and then slowly, sound rises in waves from someplace beyond the lovely old mare. She sings of life on a distant planet, a full moon rising and a battle between light and dark. There are heroes in her epic, many of them. They stand in solidarity with one another and bring their instruments of music to life. A great pageant of song rolls forth from the heroes, light and love radiating out in successive waves. The darkness and lies are vanquished, leaving only cool, sweet water effervescent with joy. The water runs down as gravity works its magic. Each drop carries the spirit of love from the songs into the land and soul of that place. Galaxy murmurs then and the children know this song, this lesson, is complete. A cheer rises from the delighted listeners. It is no small thing, even now, to hear a horse’s song.
Time passes as time does, and Galaxy reaches the end of her long, love-filled life. Sephra feels the hour of her passing approaching and can hardly breathe with the thought of living without her. Their friendship has spanned 27 years and most of Sephra’s life. Her life path has been completely entwined with that of this great animal and the Voice of Love she carries. She knows death is a beautiful and necessary part of the cycle of life, yet she cannot imagine a day without Galaxy.
Today Galaxy decides to pass to the Great Beyond. She sends out a call to Sephra, Jonathan, the boy groomer, and a few of the children with lessons to learn around death and dying. They come at once, many with tears streaming down their faces. It is 1am and the wind is cold and filled with winter’s promise. The barn at the old Farley place is warm and dry.
Galaxy’s breath is slow and shallow. She is laying down, resting her head on a blanket on Sephra’s lap. Jonathan listens to her old heart beating and hears a flutter in each downstroke. At the moment of her passing, Galaxy eases into death with a sigh, but her spirit remains and the Voice of Love continues sharing with those gathered. It says, “Be at peace, Children of Creation. Galaxy is one with all that is now. Her spirit is part of you and always will be. Her songs are now yours. Share them.”
Sephra wakes the next morning, her pillow soaked with tears. In a rush, the loss of her friend comes back to her but something is different today. She closes her eyes and the image of the hand returns. The Voice of Love is there, waiting for her. She knows all she need do is reach out with a question or her heart. The Voice of Love feels her attention and seeks her hand. Sephra reaches out to touch and hold the Hand of Love.
Without Galaxy, life passes more quickly for Sephra. Her children have children of their own and the time is coming when she and Jonathan will dedicate themselves as elders. They are excited for this life change. Becoming an elder signifies a shift in purpose from doing to being and from learning to teaching. Of course some doing and learning continue, but the new role allows people to share the wisdom they’ve gained over time with the community. These days nothing much is lost that can be shared and the Children of Creation are learning new and powerful ways of sharing.
One of these new ways of sharing is through mind communion. Sephra’s old friend Galaxy taught the beginning skills for mind communion with her songs. People began listening in new ways, from the heart center and with spirit ears, when the horse sang. At first, only the children could hear Galaxy, but later even adults began to realize and trust their listening too. Today, people are learning how to speak and share their heart space with one another in groups large and small. Without spoken words, people can communicate more directly and with greater precision about what they feel, need and value. Conflict is unusual and consensus easier to find because mind communion allows for great clarity and compassion.
Another new way of sharing is through spirit union. People are using spirit union, a joining of two or more souls in contract, for everything from business arrangements to life partnerships. Spirit unions have changed community from a loosely-linked confederation of separate individuals to a network of interdependent and lovingly bonded souls. Whole towns are dedicating themselves to specific healing purposes or missions. Families are growing into clans again. The rebuilding of the earth is happening quickly.
Sharing is also taking place through hand linking. In this discipline, people join hands in order to pass important information from one to another. Through spirit and touch, messages are relayed that affect the people of a certain area. Maybe the river is high and steps will need to be taken to protect animals living along the flood plain. Perhaps the time of harvest has been shifted to accommodate an anticipated storm. Sometimes a new baby arrives or a person passes into the beyond. All of this information and more is shared when two or more people clasp their hands in silence and greeting with one another.
Sephra is a teacher of sharing. Her new task as an elder is to support the younger ones with interest and giftedness for sharing in stepping more deeply into their skills and passion.
Today Sephra realizes she is now old. Her hands have become worn and wrinkled, the knuckles are somewhat knobby-looking and her palms have deep creases. It’s OK. Aging is the way of things. She is ready for the next step, for letting go of her body and reaching out to the stars. She knows the Voice of Love will call her home soon.
On the day of her passing, Sephra notices a slight hitch in her breath at mid-morning, a small thing. By 2pm, she is breathing as if she were with fever and she takes her time wandering around the house and barn, tending to chores and loving the animals. Over dinner, she remarks to Jonathan that she thinks she’ll be retiring early this evening. And then, at bedtime, she knows.
At first she feels excitement. I wonder what the world beyond will look like? I am eager to see my old friends and family. Galaxy will be there and many others! Then she feels a bit of regret. There is still so much to do here. Will the work continue without me? Of course it will…
Sephra lays down on her bed and tucks herself into a beautiful old quilt made by her mother for the occasion of her marriage to Jonathan. Her breath eases and slows as she drifts into sleep. The dreams come. She is with the Voice of Love and Galaxy riding through the stars. She feels such joy to be with them!
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The story of Sephra illustrates many truths about Love.
We learn Love is constant. Love is with Sephra on her life journey from before her birth until her death and beyond. Constancy is reflected in her relationships with people, with the earth, with Spirit and in the whole of her existence. Constant too is Sephra’s regard for herself. This too is Love.
We learn the depth of Love. Love knows Sephra and is intimately involved in every aspect of her life. Love is Sephra’s best friend as the Voice, as Jonathan, and as Galaxy. Love supports Sephra in each stage of her life journey.
We learn Love is kind. Love’s gentleness is reflected in the soft coat of the newborn foal, the gentle tapping of a girl guiding her goat home from the courtyard, and the beauty of the stars.
We learn the magic of Love. Who else but Love could create miracles such as the ones Sephra experiences in her life? Who else but Love could bring such joy to an ordinary life?
We learn how to Love. Love is all about sharing; sharing stories, sharing smiles, sharing songs, sharing food and stones, sharing hands and sharing respect.
We learn the way of Love. Love wants nothing more than to be our friend. This is a simple and powerful truth.
We learn Love has our best interests at heart. Sephra is guided by Love into a lifelong adventure that brings her joy and peace.
We learn Love has a Voice and a Hand. The Voice of Love is within us and we have but to listen to know it. The Hand of Love is always reaching out to us.
We learn Love is about interconnection. As Sephra and her people grow into Love, they learn to live in harmony with all life around them. They become community in ways only imagined now.
We learn Love is about the cycle of life. Love is about death as much as Love is about birth.
We learn Love is ever present. Sephra learns Love is always with her.
We learn Love is all we need. As she steps into lifelong adventure with Love, Sephra wants for nothing.
We learn Love is bigger than we are. There is great peace in knowing the stars and the galaxies surround us with Love.
And finally, we learn to Love.
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