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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BRAND (01/12/17)
The water slipped under the broken ice almost silently, save for a slight tinkling as it jostled the ice floes, flowing black in the jagged cracks. Mira pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders and looked up. Through the lattice-work of branches, the sky, too, was black.

No stars. No moon.

A dreary night for such an important commitment, but necessary, she knew. Watching the union of rotting ice and dark water, she thanked God for the overcast sky, for the frigid wind that chilled one to the bone.

With her for this momentous occasion were only her immediate family and the two ministers of God whom she had grown to respect and admire.

One of the men looked at the ice-clogged canal and then glanced at the other man. He looked at Mira. "Do you still want to go through with this?"

"Yes."

He moved toward the water while the other, younger man gave Mira some low-voiced instruction. "Brother Hans will wade out first. When you go out, he will ask you to kneel. Because of the..." He cleared his throat and smiled. "...weather, I will ask you the questions and have the prayer here."

The family gathered in a tight semicircle by the edge of the canal as Mira, breathing in deeply of the frigid air, reaffirmed her desire to follow God whatever the cost. Brother Andreas prayed, and then it was time.

At the first few steps into the water, bumping away the bobbing ice, Mira's chest tightened and she had to force herself to breathe slowly and deeply. Her feet were already numb and barely felt the slimy bottom of the canal.

Finally she was there, waist deep.

"Are you clear, sister?" Hans asked quietly. "From here on you will be branded a heretic, and... you know what that means."

Mira nodded. "I want to proceed," she whispered, trying to keep her teeth from chattering.

"You may kneel."

The icy water forced a gasp from her as she knelt. Her chest constricted. Panicking, she struggled to her feet and stood gasping. "Can't... breathe..."

Hans put a gentle hand on her shoulder and glanced first at Andreas, then her father. "Perhaps it would be better---"

"No." Mira shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself in a vain attempt to stop shivering. "I can do it. Please. If you go fast, I'll be fine."

Hans looked toward the shore, and Mira's father nodded. Go ahead.

Mira knelt again, her lips bluish and tight-set, and Hans dipped her backward into the water. "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

She came up gasping and clutched Hans's arm as he guided her to the shore.

Soon she was wrapped in thick blankets, surrounded by her family. But the weight of her decision pressed on her shoulders. How could such a simple action have such complicated ramifications? In the eyes of the civil and church authorities, she was now branded "Heretic" as surely as if a hot iron had burned the word into her flesh.

She leaned into her brother's strong arm, warmed by his quiet, "Welcome, sister," and knew that if she was to be branded, she wanted nothing more than this.

Her family, peace, and God's brand on her heart.
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This article has been read 516 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Tonya Stevenson
01/20/17
Interesting reminder of the history of the Church and the price our brothers and sister's paid (and pay), for their faith. I enjoyed reading and learning from the good writing.
Sherry Brock
01/23/17
I enjoyed this very much. I felt the chill of the elements (so much so i pulled a blanket up around me) & was touched by the determination & bravery of the MC. I was engaged from beginning to end.
Francie Snell 
01/24/17
Great take on the topic. I love the true reality of the message.
esther robinson
01/25/17
You have brought forth a good piece of writing. Keep up the good work.
Hannah Gaudette
01/27/17
Congratulations, Kayla! Well done.
Bea Edwards 
01/29/17
Fantastic story - your line 'the union of rotting ice and dark water' was a stunning description and memorable word picture.
Ellen Carr 
01/30/17
Congratulations Kayla. This is beautifully and movingly written. I like the way you used baptism as the branding and showed the powerful implications of being branded a 'heretic'/Christian.