According to Marissa
Chapter Three: Part One

Marissa was bored, more bored than she ever was at home. Life as a shepherd boy wasn't as glamorous as she dreamt it was. True, on the first day she was excited, but little by little, as time went on with nothing happening her enthusiasm for her newfound life was quickly fading. It was day ten and she had named every sheep, ram and lamb in the flock, learned to play "Jingle Bells," "Three Blind Mice," and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" on David's fabled harp, and discovered that playing a grass flute was harder than it looked. She even tried to learn how to use the sling shot she was always forced to carry. She wasn't very good at it, at least, not as good as she was with the sword on her belt. This wasn't her first adventure to the past, so she was practiced with that, but the sling shot was different. It was flimsy, clumsy and hard to aim. It made her glum. So glum was she, Marissa couldn't… didn't… pay attention to the conversation happening around her. At least, she couldn't… wouldn't… until she heard one of her brothers say, "We may be gone for some time. We may even die!"

At this, Marissa snapped out of her self-depreciating trance with a cheer. Finally! she exclaimed. Finally, an adventure! It's why I'm here! She smiled and spoke up at the dinner table receiving nine pairs of puzzled popped eyes to shift in her direction. "So wait—what's going on?" she asked.

David's father just rolled his eyes while the rest of his sons snickered into their shirt sleeves. Her eldest brother, the one sitting just to her left, twerked her ear in rebuke. "Weren't you even listening, little brother?"

Her mother frowned.

"Of course not," the seventh brother exclaimed! He's been dreaming of sheep all day."

David's father sighed staring down at his youngest son. "The Philistines are attacking Israel. King Saul has called for an army and your brothers are leaving home to help."

Suddenly, Marissa felt her confidence start to rise. She smiled. "So, I get to fight in a battle? Awesome!"

Once again, David's brothers snickered causing her mother to stare into her food. Her father tightened his jaw. This wasn't the first argument of the like in the last few days, but he was determined to make sure it was the last.

"David," he scolded. "You will be staying home with the sheep. Something much more fitting for a boy your age."

Marissa groaned. "I'm 10 years old. I'm old enough! Listen–"

Jessie's face grew red, which was enough to cause her sudden whine to stutter to a peep. Marissa would have stormed to her room, if the voice of David's mother didn't sever the tension. "You all think this is a game," she spoke into her meal. Then, she lifted her head showing her tears. "David, you are not old enough and that's that! Who knows if one, if not all of your brothers may fall during this battle and out of everyone in this family, only you were selected to be the Lord's anointed. Israel will need you when the time comes and until that time comes, we will not risk your life needlessly."

Defeated, well shamed, Marissa lowered her head while David's father fitfully resumed his meal. "Your mother is correct," he spoke between bites. "You stay with the sheep." And that was that.

The rest of the meal was eaten in silence. Even the brothers' banter was quelled in light of their mother's worry. In a matter of moments, the tremor of her grief became theirs.

Later that evening, David's eldest brother found Marissa once more out amongst the sheep. She saw him coming and in anger quickly turned her back. She tried to play the harp in her hand as loudly as possible. "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" twang roughly into his ears as he reached the side of the tree she was leaning against.

"Still angry little brother."

Marissa grunted and restarted the song for the sixth time. Eliab sighed and sat next to her.

Feeling the weight along her shoulder, Marissa gave in. "Less angry as disappointed," she grumbled. "I'm bored."

"Which is not a good reason to go to war." Eliab looked at her with astonishment. "You've never killed a man."

"I know." she said.

"Nor fought—"

"Not true," she exclaimed. "I've frightened away many scary animals out here."

Eliab nodded… a little. "A lion isn't a man," he said, "nor an army of them."

Marissa didn't answer. Eliab smiled knowing that she didn't need to. She knew he was right. She sighed and restarted the song for the seventh time. Maybe she would start working on "Mary had a Little Lamb" on the morrow. She snorted. It would be a fitting tribute to her current predicament.

Eliab leaned back listening to her. "Working on a new song? It's very simple, but I've hadn't heard it before."

Marissa shrugged. "It's okay," she said. "Are you nervous about tomorrow?"

Eliab's face saddened in thought. "Yes and no. We'll be okay, David. I've been in battle before and it's expected."

"But do you want to go?" Marissa asked.

"No," Eliab said after a moment.

"If you don't want to go, why do it? Just because everyone wants you to?"

Eliab looked at his little brother a moment and changed the subject, zeroing in on the problem. "Are you scared? Not of the war, but of the other thing. You're calling?"

Marissa finally looked at him and snorted. "No! I know how that ends – what I mean is… um… I don't like being told I have to be anything, to meet everyone's expectations. Why can't I just be me? Why isn't Mar—David good enough?"

Eliab was slightly taken back. "Not being old enough to go to war doesn't mean that you are not good enough."

When Marissa didn't answer, Eliab pushed. "Listen little brother. Don't you know? God doesn't see things the way others do. He could have chosen the biggest, strongest warrior in this country to be our next king, like he did with Saul, but instead he sends his prophet to the smallest town to find a no name shepherd boy to anoint him as king. You may not be good enough in the eyes of father or mother, but you are in the eyes of God for whatever He has planned. You need to stop worrying about other's opinions so much. If He means for you to do something, He'll work it out. His opinion is the only one you need to be worried about. You get me?" Eliab nudged Marissa's shoulder and after a moment, she nodded.

"Is that a yes?" he asked.

He nudged her again earning himself a half-hidden smile.

He laughed. "I thought so. Now, I'm going to bed. It's going to be an early day tomorrow."

Reluctantly, Marissa nodded. "Please say goodbye?" she asked.

"Of course," he got up. "You'll be here right?"

Marissa nodded, "as always." She looked up at him. "Stay safe. I'll pray for you."

"Good," he said.

The evening passed quickly and the morning came even quicker. In little time, Eliab was back again standing beneath the tree. Marissa rose to greet him. She hugged him hard and then watched him go, watched them all go, seven shadows disappearing into the sunrise.

In a mess of time right now, it's ironic that this is the chapter I needed to work on next. The Lord works. - Calla