JUST LIKE ESTHER. - Alexsa

Sister! sister!! wait, listen, I want to talk to you. It won't take a minute. I can relate, Life is tough, and it seems to frustrate, but wait and listen, just like Esther. I heard you asking God, why? Why put all the effort yet nothing? You said, I believed and trusted you from Childhood, Just like Esther. I have fasted, I have prayed... I serve, I win souls for you. I give as I can. I do my best. Yet nothing. Just like Esther.

To you, I have lost friends and family Now, I live a new life, with a new family Am told am in captivity, just like Esther. I am mocked by friends and family... I refused to touch that which you forbid. To you, I cling, waiting and hoping, just like Esther.

As a child in Shushan, she was taken captive As a child, an orphaned child in Shushan she lived, looking up to uncle Mordecai. An old, loving, fatherly Mordecai. A Jewess, born to be hated by the world Mother dies, father dies, brother, sister dies Life is so bitter, I wish to die, she says. But silently, a whisper... Wait in hope, help is coming, Esther.

In the heathen land of Shushan, An edict is sounded Every fair Virgin, to the palace The King needs a Queen.

And Esther, a captive Jewess A fair princess, an orphaned child, yet a Virgin To the palace she is brought.

In the midst of strange maidens, Knowingly going about Coached by mothers on what to do But Esther, an orphaned girl, had no coaching.

In a corner, she sits and weeps Asking, who will coach me? What is your name? Asked Hegai the Eunuch. Hadiza, she says. From today, you shall be called Esther. And so, again she lost something; her precious name, her identity. And so, she died to Hadiza But lives in Esther.

From today, this is who you are, said Hegai I will be your coach. Careful now Esther, the competition is stiff Out of all, only one shall the King be pleased to whom the King please he picks the rest, to the harem they all go and no man again touch, for the king has touched and rejected. Esther looks sad, again? She asked. What then will life be? Living for nothing? No name, no family, no race But silently... a Whisper Wait in hope Esther, Help is coming.

And Esther began a journey of uncertainty 365 days of beautification Scrubbing, submerged in oils and spices And a gentle whisper, "be submerged in me" For I am your hope, your comforter The ever-present help in times of trouble. Be submerged.

To be cont...