a/n: This idea came to me while I was at church with a friend of mine, and saw a young girl snuggling up to her grandmother. I doubt this was what really happened but the idea stuck and I had to write it. It was actually written several years ago, and a couple months ago tweaked minorly (I literally corrected a few typos and added a single sentence). Hope you like it :)

The Heavenly Presence

"Grandma, where are we going?" a young girl anxiously twirled her chocolate brown hair round and round in her left index finger and clasped her grandmother's hands with her other clammy hand. They were walking down a street towards a tall concrete building with a cross on it. Stain glass windows of many colors glittered brilliantly from this building in the early morning light, contrasting harshly with the cold plain concrete that everything else seemed to be made of. A large thick wooden door was facing them, seeming like a barrier between the outside world. It seemed unnaturally silent for a town that was normally bustling with activity.

"Church, honey. We're gonna go pray." The grandmother's voice was tender, gentle. She understood the child's fear; its been a long time since the girl has been out in the world.

"Grandma? What are we gonna pray for?" her curiosity could be clearly heard in her voice.

"Everything we feel we're having trouble with. Anything that might be bothering you, or you're scared about, or want or need. God will provide it all, in time." The woman smiled softly as she spoke.

"Grandma?" the little girl's voice trembled slightly.

"Yes, dear?"

"Can I pray that I'm not taken away from you?"

"Oh, honey! You won't be taken from me. I've got permission from the government to be your legal guardian. That means that they want me to take care of you. God has already promised you this."

"But what if Mister comes back? What if he tries to take me away? I don't wanna go with Mister!" a few tears leaked down her face, dripping off of her chin. The elderly woman noticed and immediately turned and squatted down to her level, meeting her own soft blue eyes with the girl's.

"Mister is never going to hurt you again." The little girl threw her arms around her beloved grandmother weeping. The elderly woman wrapped her arms protectively around the little girl, gently rocking her in her arms as she cried away everything she'd been hiding. When she had calmed down to nothing more than sniffles, the grandmother held her out at arm's length. "I love you and will do anything to protect you, but I'm only human. I will never intentionally hurt you. The Lord is the only one that will not and cannot ever make a mistake. Pray to him and he will grant you protection." The girl stared solemnly at her grandmother for a moment before slowly nodding her understanding. She could feel the seriousness of the situation.

"Alright, now let's get to church." the elderly lady stood up and again grasped the little girl's hand. They marched in comfortable silence up to the oak door, which no longer seemed so intimidating the young girl. The whole building seemed to say warmth and safety to her now, because she understood. The Lord's House was safe, where no one would hurt her and if they did, she would be okay because the Lord loved her and protected her, like Grandma.

The heavy wood door opened without much noise and they entered the sacred building. Most of the members were already there, spread out evenly and chatting with various members of the Church, leaving the church with a comforting humming noise reverberating endlessly. The girl looked around wide-eyed, taking it all in. It was very soothing for her, the way everyone seemed so comfortable, friendly, and relaxed. She could see children running around laughing and playing games with each other, the mothers glancing their way occasionally, making sure more that their child was behaving than that someone would take them away.

Grandma tugged on the little girl's arm gently, pulling her towards a pew. As they sat down the girl continued to stare around amazed. The stain glass was painted in beautiful shapes to form 3 impressive pictures. There was one of a woman holding a baby near a manger in a barn. Several different farm animals surrounding them facing them, watching the baby and in the sky high above was a star. Another one was of a cross with two other crosses jutting out from it. The ground that the crosses protruded from was dry dirt and storm clouds seemed to be gathering around. The last one was of a man and several other people gathering around eating and drinking wine.

These beautiful pictures captures the essence of togetherness, of union. The little girl felt like she belonged. Snuggling up close to her grandmother, she settled herself and contentedly waited to hear the Lord's word. On her other side there was no one sitting there, but that was okay. The girl smiled for she knew that her other side was not lonely. A heavenly presence would always sit there watching over her, whispering words of encouragement, advice, and understanding of the Lord's ways.