Log In: Upstream | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Log In: Upstream | Previous Challenge Entry
By Judy Doyle
08/06/08
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Three inches of rain in twenty-four hours turned the serene creek into a raging stream. I waited a day to pick the succulent fruit from the abandoned, yet productive orchard on the opposite shore. At dawn I walked, with a basket in hand, to the creek. A gentle breeze softly kissed my cheeks. The water was high but relatively quiet. Cautiously I stepped into the stream. Oh, the water was cold, I thought and shivered.

Stepping onto the lush green grass, I began picking apples. The raspberry bushes yielded several quarts. In the strawberry patch, I looked for the largest, reddest and juiciest berries. My mouth watered as I thought about strawberries and cream for breakfast.

I filled my basket. I’d gotten up early. With the fresh air and a couple hours of work, I was tired. I stretched out under an apple tree. My eyes became heavy. I surrendered to the sleep that taunted me.

Loud, cracking thunder woke me. The rain had returned with a vengeance. The creek was churning. I couldn’t cross the creek there. I grabbed my basket and began walking toward the narrows. Perhaps, I thought, I could cross upstream. But no, I couldn’t find a crossing point. I returned to the orchard, but the water was higher still.

“Go up stream.” I heard. Turning around, I found no one. I continued walking downstream. “Go upstream,” the voice commanded.

I silently answered the nagging voice. There’s nothing upstream, nothing except the cynical old woman.

“Go upstream,” ordered the voice.

I’m losing my mind, I thought. However, I began walking upstream again. Approaching the old woman’s broken-down shack, I noticed a small, but sturdy log had fallen strategically across the creek. After a couple of steps on the log I knew instantly I couldn’t walk across the log and carry my basket of produce.

“Put the basket down,” the voice demanded.

Are you crazy? I mentally shouted. I picked that fruit and I’m not going to leave it here.

“Put the basket down,” was the order.

With teeth clenched tightly, I put the fruit down. Carefully placing one foot in front of the other I began the trek across the single log bridge. Glimpsing at the luscious fruit, I almost lost my balance. Beneath me I could see the water roiling. I refocused my eyes to opposite shore. Safely planting my feet on solid, although saturated ground, I lamented the loss of the fruit.

“What are you doing here?”

The witch, I thought. What am I going do?

“Well, I . . . I . . . I,” stuttering from fear and cold I answered. “I was in the orchard downstream. The creek rose so quickly I couldn’t get back across.”

“Couldn’t go downstream, huh?” She really wasn’t friendly.

“ I tried, but a voice kept bidding me upstream.” The explanation sounded lame.

“A voice told you to come upstream?” She snorted. “You want me to believe that? You must think I’m crazy,” her voice dripped with disbelief.

Yes, I thought, I do think you’re crazy.

“I s’pose you’re upset about the fruit!” She paused, then added, “Tell ya’ what. I’ll bring the basket to you tomorrow if I can tell you a story.”

I nodded my head. I’d listen to her story if I could get my fruit.

She began. “Years ago, I visited that orchard. The fruit was so appealing I just had to have some. Filled my basket to the brim, the same as you.” Her eyes softened. “I walked back up here and tried to cross the creek at the narrowest point. I lost my balance and all my fruit ended up in the creek. I stood in the water, stomped my feet, raised my fist and shouted at God, “Why didn’t you help me cross the creek?” I heard a voice say, You have to lay down the burdens to reach the other side safely.

The lady glanced at the log and added, “I could build a bridge, but I don’t. It reminds me to leave my burdens and trust God as I walk the narrow path.”

The ‘witch’ wasn’t as frightening. In fact, she was rather pleasant.

The lesson was clear. I remember the lesson when I sing the old chorus:

Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

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