Journey to the Stone

by Laura Brigger

I am a man of free will so I cast off all restraint and go wandering.

I take on my journey a small pack. I stuff it with things I will need for comfort on my

way.

The first day is treacherous, a long walk across the countryside. Though I can see people

I don't stop to talk,

for they have their business and I have mine. The countryside is green and lush, easy on the eyes but the pace I keep leaves no time for pleasure. As evening grows to dusk I look around for a spot to rest for the night.

'Yes this is it!' A small patch of grass aside a rolling hill. I kneel down to the place,

my legs shaking, weak from the all-day strain.

The grass is cool to my heated body. I lay with my hands behind my head, looking up into the sky.

I can feel the crispness of the air. It is almost as if it could lift me up, up, up, to

where the mystery is.

'The mystery you say?' 'Well, there's something up there. I can't explain it. It's

something big, something strange.'

As a child looking up into the sky, the mystery seemed to call to me. 'What do you want?'

I would yell out loud and a strange silence would cover me like a cloak. Yes, I have a longing, a steady tugging from marveling at the mystery.

A chill runs through my body and shakes me from my thoughts reminding me of my

surroundings.

I reach into my pack and pull out a soft warm cover folded neatly. I stretch it out to

cover my feet.

'Did I know how tightly I would cling to it, my only shelter from the night, when I stood at home folding its edges neatly and tucking it into the pack?'

'No, I guess I didn't or I would have packed two.' I laugh to myself. I rest my head

again.

'Where am I going?' I think to myself. 'My pace is too determined for having no destiny in mind.' 'Maybe to the Stone? Yes, that's it, that's where I'm going, I'm headed to the Stone.' From the moment I left I had my suspicions. There was some direction, something deep within, a longing of sorts.

'What is it about the Stone?' Others have made the journey and they seem different to me. They have something I don't.

I don't know what it is. They try to explain it but I don't understand, so here I am off

to see it for myself.

Now, I am a man of direction. I have purposes and as the sun rises though sleep eludes me, I rise with renewed strength. The second day of my journey, the terrain roughened. The grassy hills were in the past.

Ahead rocks were piled upon rocks.

I jump up, balance on one then swiftly jump to another. I take no thought and jump again. I hit a loose spot. I fall into the rocks. They slice, scrape and bruise my body but they cannot depress my desire.

I crawl ahead. I see a small stream of water trickling from one of the rocks. I look and keep looking but I cannot trace the water’s source.

I reach into my pack and grab a cloth. I hold it under the falling wonder. I dampen my cloth and wipe the blood from my wounds.'Who is there?' I look around. I sense something, someone. 'Who has brought this comfort

to me?' I see no one.

'Would I have left this comfort for another?' I ask myself. I look around again then I

look into the sky. A miracle is what it is. 'You, You have done this haven't you?' 'Why, when I've done nothing for you?'

A slight inkling touched me. 'For me? The great mystery would do this for me?'

Now, I am a humble man for I do not deserve such kindness in my time of need.

I rest there for the night, a pain in my hip and my legs so weak they cannot carry me

farther.

Soon the warm sun wakes me from my solid sleep. I slept deep despite my surroundings.

I reach into my pack. Dry bread and cheese taste like a king's treat and bring me the

strength to stand.

On this day a limp will slow my pace. The intense burning inside, not quenched. Each step respected.

I choose my steps carefully. I begin to gain ground and suffer less. Sweat pours from my brow as I drag my wounded legs over the sharp rocks. There, a few steps ahead, as if placed carefully in view upon the rocks,

a shepherd's staff, to steady me as I climb. I grab it and feel relief as I rest my weight on the sturdy rod.

I look up to him, the mystery. 'You knew what steps I would take, didn't you?' 'You have left this blessing for me.'

I kneel down, shaking my head in awe at he that was becoming more than a mystery to me. Now, I am a careful man, I choose my steps wisely. My pace is more stable.

On the next day of my journey, the heat was almost unbearable. I look to the way stretched out before me.

It was flat and dry. There was nothing as far as the eye could see. I trudged along

slowly, my sandals filling with sand.

I hear a snap! I look down! My sandal is broken. I throw off the disappointment for it

does not sustain.

The sand is too hot. I stand on one foot and rely on the staff. I reach into my pack and get the blanket that had kept me warm

and the cloth that cleansed my wounds. I wrap the blanket around my foot and tie it with the cloth.

It works for a while but soon fills up with sand. Hope deferred, my heart is sick.

I sink down. I grab handfuls of sand. 'Do you see this? Is this all there is?' 'Are you

still there?' I look up and ask.

I need you, you know? A simple knowing floods my heart. Now I am dependent on him. I know I could not make it on my own.

I stop for a moment and empty the sand from the homemade shoe. 'I know you care! I know you do,' I say.

Just then a soft breeze blows peace and cools my cheeks. My heart fills with love for he that once was a mystery to me.

As the breeze cools my cheeks, I cross miles of country. I endure until night. Now I am a man of hope, hope that there is something beyond what I can see.

A man of love, because I have found that he loves me. Though the road ahead be long winding, too not, I will go where he takes me and be what I become. This night I lay my head in sweet rest.

I dream of the day when began.

I was lost wandering having no way. I was free but free to do what? Why would I wander about with no direction?

Who would love me in such freedom but myself? The birds sing, I awake.'Is this too a dream? For in finding salvation for my wondering soul, my vision clears and

by this morning light, I see the flat stretch of desert has led me to a forest edge. I remove the blanket from my foot and stuff it into my pack.

I take off the other sandal and touch my blistered feet to the cool ground. The forest is thick, cool and, damp.

My parched skin soaks in the dampness. I walk in deeper. I struggle to see. Rays of

sunlight stream down between the leaves

of the towering trees. I reach for the light. I feel the warmth upon my hand. My steps are sure, I follow the light.

I hear something! Ahead a creature scurries out of sight. Fear runs like a chill, up. My knees are weak and they bend.

I look up and say 'Please be with me here. I know you see. I know you hear.' I sit so long my toes are numb.

'What does this matter,' I say as I stand. 'You have done so much for me.'

Thinking of all the things he has done for me along the way, I follow the small streams of light. I smile.

Faith rises in my heart. Now, I am a joyful man for in thinking of him, I have no fear.

Soon I reach the other edge of the forest. I have come through and I have new strength.

Stepping out from the forest, I see it, it's there in the distance!' I begin to run.

I throw off my pack with the things that sustained me thus far; these things do not matter now that I am so close.

My eyes sparkling with the vision before me. 'It's larger than I thought,' I say to

myself. My legs tingle with excitement as they carry me, almost lifting me from the ground with speed.

There it is! I reach out; I can almost touch it. Yes, I am there.

I throw myself onto the huge stone.

I weep, and then I laugh, for I realize,

I myself was changed by the journey to the stone.