Church of Astryd

Chapter 34: Divine Dialogue

In the quiet aftermath of the global broadcast, Astryd once again found herself in the familiar sanctuary of the meditation room. The world had seen their divine protectors, had witnessed the undeniable evidence of their celestial guides, and now, they were waiting for a response, a statement, a sign.

She lit the sacramental joint, inhaling deeply, and filled her lungs with the calming aroma. "Father, Son," she began, her voice calm yet filled with an undercurrent of uncertainty, "the world has seen our angels. They've seen the proof of your existence and your guidance. What...what should we do now?"

There was a moment of silence, a serene pause, before their celestial voices filled the room. "Astryd," began the Father, his voice a soothing rumble, "you and your congregation have chosen a path of transparency and honesty. You have nothing to fear from the truth."

"But," Astryd replied, her voice wavering, "there are skeptics, there are critics. Some are calling us a cult, others are saying this was a publicity stunt. They're questioning our authenticity, our intentions."

The Son's voice resonated gently, "The doubters and skeptics have always existed, Astryd. Their voices are not a testament to your failure, but a testament to their freedom of thought. You must respect that freedom, as we do."

Astryd felt a knot loosen in her chest. Their words, as always, were filled with wisdom and compassion. She knew they were right, and yet, she couldn't shake off her worries completely.

"What about the others," she asked, "those who believe? Those who've seen our angels and want to learn more, want to join our congregation?"

The Father responded, his tone thoughtful, "Each individual is on their own spiritual journey, Astryd. Some may find their path leads them to your door, others may find their path leads them elsewhere. Welcome those who come to you with open hearts and minds, but do not force your path onto others."

"And," the Son added, "remember, our guidance is not restricted to your congregation alone. We speak to all who seek us, in ways they understand."

Their words settled around Astryd, a comforting weight, a gentle reminder of their unending guidance and support. She knew then that they would navigate this together, one step at a time. The world was watching, and they would show them a faith that stood for love, compassion, and freedom of thought.

"Thank you," Astryd whispered, her voice choked with gratitude. She stood then, ready to face whatever came next. With the divine guidance of the Father and Son, she felt ready to usher her congregation into this new era of global scrutiny. They had their celestial protectors, their faith, and each other. They were ready to face the world.