What does he want? Really? The desperate promises we make, the vows, the bargains, our efforts at convincing deity to act, does he welcome our negotiations, or does he sigh?

This is a story about mistaken identity, a people who mistake themselves for idolaters,

siblings who mistake a brother for an enemy, and a man who mistakes the Almighty God

for a lesser one.

It's a story about fear and grace and that layered thing called faith,

a thing that only finds its fullness with time.

I'm Justin Gerhardt.

Welcome to Holy Ghost Stories. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised since God had planned something

better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11, 39, and 40.

I'm pregnant.

Gilead stops short.

What did you say?

She meets his eye.

You knew this could happen.

Yes, but I thought. You thought prostitutes could not carry children?

If he goes to speak, she cuts him off.

I want you to raise him. Me, I have a family.

And now your family is bigger. She will not look away. Fire from the lamp reflected in her irises.

You owe this to me, to this child.

Something like this, as Gilead sits and lets a long breath escape, what will his wife say?

And the other city elders, his prominence is such that he bears the very name of the town.

The talk at the gates will be a little else.

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