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Topic: Valley (08/10/06)
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TITLE: THE VALLEY OF DECISION | Previous Challenge Entry
By Maryolyn Payne
08/10/06 -
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THE VALLEY OF DECISION
“We’re lost. We can’t go any further,” Mason said.
“Come on. There’s got to be a way. We just have to seek for it. The very worst is we can always turn back the way we came.”
“That is why we came. The place we left is not a good place. We definitely left there because of the desolation. It was dry, forsaken, without any hope. Surely, you haven’t forgotten, Jaylynne?”
“Sure, I remember how terrible times were but we can’t wander in this barren place forever. We will run out of water soon. Look in the far distance we see the majestic mountains. If we can just make it to there.”
“Do you have any idea how far away those are?”
“No I guess I don’t, but there must be a way. At the bottom of the mountains, rivers flow. We have to believe we can make it there for new life. We must not give up. Let’s press forward, Mason.”
They stopped and sat under a tall bush that gave shade. “If we just had our youthful children with us they could help.”
The children had long gone in the general direction that the two of them now traveled. The City of Eden had once been lush, full of desire and seemed an assurance of abundant life for all times. Slowly, the place had turned to an undesirable place to live. He desperately hoped the children found a new life, somewhere to raise the grandchildren they loved and missed so much. By now they should be reaching their youth, not babes any more. A salty tear ran down his leathery face and disappeared into his long, gray beard.
Noticing the tear Jaylynne sat beside him and gently stroked his hair. It was all she could do to keep from breaking into sobs of remorse. Once able to speak she asked, “What troubles your heart so much? I don’t like to see my love is such agony. We have been through many rough times before, but never once have I seen you cry.”
“Our life, remember when we were young and life was beautiful with children and grandchildren around us? The good life. What happened? Now we are old and we find ourselves in the middle of this forsaken place with no direction to turn to.
The two of them sat holding hands, staring into the distance. Dreams were now all they had to hold to. A huge cumulous cloud stood silently in the direction of the mountains. Somehow finding a new ray of hope, Mason stood. “Come, My Love, we will move toward the mountains. We cannot turn back. We must move forward. Let’s trust the cloud stays around.”
In a ray of expectation the two walked with a refreshed vigor. “Can you believe the cloud is staying just over us? The shade is wonderful,” Jaylynne remarked.
“It is unusual. Soon darkness will come and tomorrow will come quickly.” Still, the cloud remained, giving a radiant glow with enough light to comfort them. “I honestly do not know how this is happening. But I am grateful,” Mason whispered.
The dawning of a new day awakened them with new desire. “Look, the cloud is there, bidding us to come with it.”
“So it is, My Love. Look how much closer the mountains appear!” she rejoiced.
For the remainder of the way the two walked under the shade of the cloud. Coming to a bridge that crossed a deep chasm they stood silently. The cloud stood at the edge of the great wooden bridge, beckoning.
“We must cross over and leave this side which gives us no hope. The other side is waiting for us to come,” he motioned. Stepping onto the bridge they walked with new confidence. “Yes, this is our answer. We will soon be in a new promised land.”
“Look someone shed blood here,” Jaylynne exclaimed. Both wept knowing a price was paid to cross this bridge.
Continuing their journey multitudes were seen cheering them to come. Nearing the end, both could see their family waiting, arms extended. Running into their arms, the family spoke all at once, “Come, come meet the King . . . He has provided the way to this place, for all eternity.”
Coming into His presence, they all bowed to the ground.
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