“Then, you want to know the coolest part?”
They nodded. Every single one.
“The Lord opened my eyes, and I was able to see into the spirit realm. My enemy laid at my feet, slain by the blood of the Lamb.
“Each and every one of you has that very same power right in the palm of your hands. The Bible says that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow. Every knee. That means every enemy of yours. Every force that comes against you. Every spirit of doubt, worthlessness, or guilt. Crushed.”
Joy shrugged. Had she really said all of that? Where had it come from? She looked at Ben. “I guess I’m done.”
Ben moved to the front. He turned to Joy with authority in his eyes. “Joy Christianson, there’s a calling on your life. You are going to be a powerful voice on issues of spiritual warfare. What Satan has meant for evil in your life, our holy God has turned around for His eternal good.” He swallowed a few times to compose himself. “You will be a light of hope to young people. They will hear you and believe then turn their hearts to Christ because of your words.” He stood silently, lips moving in prayer.
It almost felt like those words were from God Himself. Could that be? She’d talk to Ben about it later. In private.
Ben looked over the group. “Girls. There’s an old Cherokee legend …”
Thirty groans filled the room.
Ben laughed. “No, no. Hear me out. The legend has it that an old Cherokee granddad tells his grandson that there are two wolves inside everyone. One is evil—pride, jealousy, anger, rage. The other is good—love, joy, peace, patience. They battle over control in the heart and minds of every person.”
Ben strode across his stage. “So the little boy thinks about it for a minute, then asks, ‘Granddad? Which one wins?’ The wise old man looks at his boy and says, ‘The one you feed.’”
Mark stepped beside Joy into the lunch line. “Mind if I cut?”
“Hey!” Paige teased. “Get in line like everyone else. Thinks he’s something special just because … well, why is it, Mark?”
“Ha. Ha. I just want to chat with Joy for a sec. Okay?” Mark winked. He could get away with anything with those girls. And he knew it.
He turned to Joy. “So, I wanted to talk to you.”
“Sure. What’s up?” Joy pushed her tray along the rails and took a sip of her Dr Pepper and added a brownie to her tray.
“I’m curious about something. How do you feel about your tattoo? That was a bit of an issue when I first met you—you felt like it connected you to the wolf. So what now?”
“It’s awesome. I still love it.” Joy shrugged. He might not understand, but it didn’t matter.
“But it’s a permanent reminder of the darkest days of your life. You don’t regret it?”
“Oh no. Not one bit. It’s my journey. It’s a benchmark to remind me of my turning point. Jesus and I? We slayed that wolf.” Joy smiled. “There’s another side to it, too. Remember that Cherokee legend Ben talked about?”
Mark tilted his head. “Yeah. The one with the little boy and his grandpa … oh, and the good and evil wolves?”
“Right. Well, for a long time, I fed the evil one. Now I’m feeding the other one.”
“Happy birthday to Ben!
“Happy birthday to Ben!”
Joy looked around the room while the song continued. It was like the heavens had opened and doused everything with the brightest light. The world was in high-def. Before it had been like watching an old black-and-white movie on a VHS tape. Dim, dreary. No dimension.
The divider had been slid black; the library and dining room opened into one big space. The fire roared in the fireplace; the music blared through the sound system. Tons of people she’d never seen before. So this was a party? She’d forgotten how to have fun. But it was all coming back to her—she totally had her eye on the game of Twister happening in the back. They hadn’t seen a back bend until they saw hers.
Ben leaned forward to blow out his candles. Alicia dove for his tie. Thank you. No one wanted another fire. Candles out, Ben reached for the mic. “Mind if I say a few things?”
“Do we have a choice?” The words slipped out before she could stop them. Luckily the twinkle in her eye reached him first.
“Ah. Someone knows me too well. No. You don’t have a choice.” He winked. “I just want to tell you all that I love you with all my heart. You make my life, our lives,”—he smiled at Alicia as he tugged her close—“richer than you could ever realize. Thank you for being you.”
He bent to set the mic down.
“Well, that wasn’t so bad,” Joy teased.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Ben grabbed the microphone again.
A chorus of good-natured groans filled the room.
“We have a surprise for you. Me, Alicia, Mark, Ginny, and Tammy.” He paused for effect. “Construction begins tomorrow on the back house. And here’s the surprise. It will be a rec center. Workout room, theater room, coffee bar, aerobics studio, stuff like that.”
A cheer erupted. Perfect. No one wanted that awful quarantine setup.
“It’ll go in stages. So dig out your old clothes. Pretty sure we’ll be calling on our cheap labor now and then.”
Had there been any doubt?
Now. She was at a party. It was time to meet someone new. Hmm. That pretty dark-haired girl with the purple streak down the side of her hair looked interesting. Joy approached her and stuck out her hand. “Hey. I’m Joy.”
“Hi. I’m Olivia. It’s really nice to meet you.”
“Olivia? Are you Ginny’s daughter?” Joy hadn’t realized she was drop-dead gorgeous.
“Yep, that’s me; this is my fiancé, Justin.”
“Oh. I didn’t know you guys were engaged. Congrats. It’s nice to meet you, too, Justin.” And that’s how it was done. Just like normal people, making new friends, laughing at jokes.
Time for Twister. “Can I play?” Joy spun the dial and moved in for a contortionist’s dream. Her foot on the yellow circle, she had to reach her opposite arm to the blue one across the mat. “Sorry, Paige. You’re going down.”
Joy made her move, stretching her body over the top of all the players and put her hand on the dot. So hard to stay in position with all the laughing.
Paige collapsed to the floor. “Fine. Fine. You win.” She laughed.
“Let that be a lesson to you all.” Joy stood like a general surveying a battlefield. “Any other takers?”
Paige grinned. “Joy, you crack me up. You’re the life of the party. Who knew?”
Epilogue
Joy peeked from behind the curtain out into the sea of faces. Two thousand wide-eyed teenagers looked to her for answers. Spiked hair, blue hair, nose rings, tattoos … whether out of rebellion or for personal expression, they all wanted to be different … but inside, they were all the same. Needy. Desperate. Just like she had been.
When she’d talked to him on the phone earlier that day, Ben Bradley had said, “Just tell it like you told the story to us that day in the prayer room. Do you remember what I said? I told you that you would go on to be a voice of hope to young people, that you would tell the story of good and evil in the battle raging over each one of them. Then I said they would believe you and hearts would turn to Christ. Today is the first fulfillment of that prophecy. Go out there and give it all you’ve got.”
Joy wiped her sweaty palms on her designer jeans. She sure had prepared for this. Public-speaking lessons, Bible training, a really good shopping trip. She was dressed to kill with a speech that would give life to those who heard it.
So said Ben.
“Father, open their eyes and ears to the truth. Let them hear You call to them from behind the enemy’s veil.” She shook the tension from her hands and arms then rotated her head in circles.
She flipped open her favorite Bible, the one her parents gave to her on Christmas, the year it all happened, to Psalm ninety-one and read, “‘Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, e
ven the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for he shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways …’”
“Miss Christianson, it’s almost time.” The stagehand with the walkie-talkie helped her up the rickety back stairs until she was standing on the stage behind the curtain.
“And today,” the emcee rallied the crowd, “I have the distinct privilege to introduce our special guest. This young lady is only twenty-one years old and is recently engaged to the love of her life. She has experienced things that will chill you to your toes—but I’ll let her tell you about that. She’s a graduate of the Diamond Estates program and a Bible student. She also just released her first book, Feed the Good Wolf, about spiritual warfare. Let’s welcome Joy Christianson.”
Joy took a deep breath and parted the curtain. She stepped into the spotlight and lifted both arms, waving. When the applause died down, she stepped up to the mic. “We serve a mighty God. How many of you know that today?”
She stepped back and bathed in the cheers for her Savior. She nodded. No hurry at all.
When the crowd settled, she took the microphone again. “I’m glad to hear it. Now, let me tell you a story. It’s a story of hope in the midst of pain, and of life and light in the midst of death and darkness. And it’s a story of power. Great, great power. In living color, it changed my life, yes, but it almost ended my life … many times.” She let the words roll off her tongue and watched the effect vividly reflected in the eyes of those who truly listened.
“‘It is finished.’ That’s what Ben Bradley said the moment I turned my heart to Christ. And he was right.” Joy looked over the teenagers. “It can be finished for you. Right here, right now. One step. One act of faith in movement toward Jesus. That’s all it takes. Come.” She gestured to the altar space in front of her then stepped back and raised her hands up toward the ceiling, watching as teenagers from all walks of life streamed from their seats, tattoos and all, and raced to the feet of Jesus.
It is finished.
Discussion Questions
1. What kept Joy from surrendering to God?
2. Do you think her struggle was a valid one? Why or why not?
3. What keeps you from fully surrendering to God?
4. Discuss Austin’s role in Joy’s life.
5. Who or what has helped you understand God’s love for you?
6. Do you believe in the powers of good and evil?
7. What was the defining moment for Joy?
8. Was that an easy time for her? Why or why not?
9. What would you have done differently than Joy did once she realized she was in big trouble? Why?
10. What is a defining moment in your walk with Christ?
11. Did change and growth come easy for Joy? Does it for you?
12. Did Joy learn more about God from the good things or the bad things?
13. How are you like Joy? How are you different?
14. Discuss the old Cherokee legend. What does it mean?
15. What have you learned about your own choices from reading about Joy’s life?
Chapter-by-Chapter
Discussion Guide
Chapter 1
• “If it’s nothing more than a toy, it’s harmless. If it’s an authentic tool to contact spirits, wouldn’t you want to know?” How do you feel about that question?
• What do you think is making Joy suffer?
Chapter 2
• Do you believe the scene with the Ouija board could actually happen?
• Do you think Melanie contacted Joy from beyond the grave?
• Describe Joy’s downward progression and how sin has become easier for her.
Chapter 3
• Why did Joy run to Raven?
• What made Joy so upset? Hadn’t she asked for it?
• What was that rotten-egg smell?
• In what ways have you already seen God at work in Joy’s life up to this point?
• What are her thoughts about God?
Chapter 4
• Why might some people think suicide is contagious?
• What did Joy feel when she realized she was laughing?
• How are Joy’s feelings toward herself changing?
Chapter 5
• What did Austin do to Joy?
• Should she have listened to him longer? Forgiven him?
• Define the occult.
• Why is it wrong?
Chapter 6
• How would you have felt in those moments Joy experienced in Melanie’s room?
• What does this verse mean to you in light of Joy’s trauma:
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. (1 Cor. 10:13, The Message)
• Was any of it her fault?
• What is it about Bea that reaches Joy’s heart?
• Who is a comfort like that to you?
Chapter 7
• Heather asks if Joy and Austin might get back together. She assumes Joy will forgive him. If you were in Joy’s shoes, could you forgive him?
• What might the changes in Joy’s appearance signify?
• Are people pressuring Joy too much?
Chapter 8
• What is Joy’s relationship with her parents like?
• Do you think they’re doing a good job or a poor job?
• Do you think Joy’s problems are normal considering what she’s been through? Or should Mom and Dad be concerned?
• Is counseling a good idea for Joy?
Chapter 9
• What do you think of Mary Alice Gianetti?
• What does Joy think of her?
• Joy approached the cemetery wanting the truth. She wanted to make sense it of it all. How could she have achieved that a different way?
Chapter 10
• Raven wants to take Joy to the next level. The next level of what?
• What should Joy do?
• Describe Joy’s dream.
• Why are “if only” two of life’s most gut-wrenching words?
• How does the scene in the shop describe faith?
Chapter 11
• Who are they praying/talking to when they reach out in the lake house?
• What’s the significance of the onyx ring?
• Who is Silas?
• Why is Silas angry at Austin’s presence?
Chapter 12
• What’s the story behind Stella and Grandpa?
• Why did Stella get the tiger tattoo?
• Joy says she’s thankful for new beginnings. Why?
• Do you think it’s actually Melanie talking to Joy through the Ouija board?
Chapter 13
• Is what Joy’s involved in a religion?
• What’s the significance of the Silas tattoo to Joy?
• Will she regret getting the tattoo?
Chapter 14
• Where does Joy fall in the stages of grief right now?
• What is the “acceptance” part of the grief process? Is it important? Is Joy there yet?
• Why didn’t Austin tell Joy’s parents the whole story? Should he have?
• What should Kelsey have done when she saw Joy sitting in front of the fire? What would you do?
Chapter 15
• How do circumstances spiral out of control in this chapter?
• Is Joy in over her head?
• Do you believe these things can happen?
• Should Joy take her discovery about Austin seriously?
Chapter 16
• What do you think about the drug testing from Joy’s perspective and from Mom’s perspective?
• Is Mom right to take Joy for the testing?
• How would you feel in Joy’s situation
?
Chapter 17
• What is the significance of what happened at the cemetery?
• What kind of symbolism do you see in that scene?
• How could Joy allow herself to participate?
• Why does Dad say it was worse than any of the other things she could have done?
Chapter 18
• Was Aunt Sue gossiping about Joy?
• Is a person’s spiritual journey strictly a personal one, or should parents and loved ones participate?
• If you were Joy’s parents, what would you do at this point?
• Has your opinion of them changed at all from the beginning of the book?
Chapter 19
• How would you feel if you walked into the intervention Joy found when she arrived home?
• Do you think the offer of taking Joy to Diamond Estates is a bit extreme?
• Why do you think they won’t accept girls into the Diamond Estates program unless they want to be there?
• How does that mirror salvation?
Chapters 20 & 21
• Why does Silas get mad?
• What makes Bea so spiritually in tune?
• Is Bea’s faith strong and rock solid, or is it weak and silly? In other words, is it really necessary for her to draw such a firm line between good and evil?
Chapter 22
• What kind of help does Joy want?
• Do you think she knows what she’s asking? Why or why not?
• How do you feel about Raven’s reaction to Joy’s plea for help?
Chapter 23
• Do you think Joy’s parents are overreacting?
• Is a program like Diamond Estates necessary for Joy at this time?
• In what ways is this a sacrifice that her parents are making?
• In what ways is it a cop-out?
• Has your opinion about Joy’s parents changed at all since the beginning of the book?
Chapter 24
• Does it make sense that Joy would keep the ring? Or do you see it as a sign of trouble yet to come?
THE SHADOWED ONYX: A DIAMOND ESTATES NOVEL Page 29