Finding Hope

     The breeze stopped. Songs of birds, that had been, ceased. For a moment nature herself seemed to hold her breath. He looked at the hand reaching down to him, holding out a piece of rolled up parchment. The hand was rough and hard worked, and the man it belonged to was the same. At first glance he would have been thought an ordinary man, with his plain tunic and a sack resting over his shoulder. The smile twisting his mouth and the scroll in his hand could be seen at closer observation though, and made him very different.
     “Are you ready, David?”
David looked at the scroll. Inside his soul he felt the same joy that characterized the man before him: the joy of the good news that had been offered to him through this very man. However, a seed of doubt remained buried in his heart.
     “How can I teach what I’ve only just learned myself?” he asked hesitantly.
     “Age and experience are nothing. If you want to do this, then you are ready.”
     He wanted to so much that it hurt. How could he not want to share such joy? He had only wanted a little reassurance. Now he had that.
     “I’m ready.” He grasped the scroll, but the man did not let it go.
     “It will be hard, David, but follow orders and don’t ask why.”
     “What orders?” David frowned. He had received no orders.
     “Hope will guide your steps.”
     The man spoke in riddles that made no sense, but he was not to question. He had one more thing he wanted to know.
     “Who do I give it to?”
     “When the time comes, you will know.”
     The man released the scroll to him. David held it close, fingering the red cord that tied it shut. It was so small, yet such a precious thing. He would guard it with his life. He wore a bag over his shoulder that held his map and other things. He had a sword at his belt and a shield over his back. They were tools he had used often in his old life of wandering. Now they had a purpose, as he did. David stood stall, readjusted the cloak on his shoulders, and turned to go.
     He stopped for a moment. With a smile he looked over his shoulder to think the man, but he was already disappearing over the crest of a hill. Then again, no expression of gratitude would do. Sometimes silence could be the best option. David started on his way again, promising to never forget what had happened to him moments before. His feet thudded on the path in a steady rhythm. For a moment he closed his eyes and listened to the sounds around him making a great harmony that soothed his soul.
     Turn right
     David stopped dead in his tracks. The voice had come suddenly, quietly, but crystal clear in his mind. He looked to his right, and saw a narrow path leading deeper into the forest. The small dirt rood looked anything but welcoming. He pulled the map out of his bag.
     Turn right
     “It’s not on the map.”
     Did I give you that map? It is nothing but a piece of paper.
     David opened his mouth to protest, but closed it. Doubt and confusion clouded his heart, but clear memory spoke to his soul. He must follow orders without question. The order was clear and obvious. Would he follow it? Hope will guide your steps. This was not what he had imagined. An unseen voice unnerved him. Quiet and gentle as it was, the fact that he could see no speaker chilled him to the bones.
     Turn right
     After another moments pause, he stepped onto the narrow path. The branches hung so low he had to stoop to avoid them. Cobwebs caught him as he trudged by and stuck, as if to stop him. He swatted at them irritably and walked on. The wind stirred and whispered in a haunting voice of doom. He had gone the wrong way already. He would never make it now. Fear tightened his throat, but he kept walking.
     “Dear God, save me!”
     David stiffened. The cry for help made his blood run cold. He heard no orders, but felt an urge he could not deny. He sprinted toward the sound without hesitation. No pleading soul should ever go denied. He had learned that much in his years as a man asking questions. His hand rested on the hilt of his blade. He burst through a wall of brush and into a glade, panting.
     Before him towered a large dragon, clutching a small bundle in its claws. The bundle squirmed, revealing little arms and legs. It had a head of golden curls that twinkled in the sunlight. David caught sight of two flashing blue eyes that were wide with fear. The child opened her mouth and screamed for help again. The dragon brought her close to its head and licked its bloody lips hungrily. David tore his blade from its scabbard and surged forward with a bellow. The beast looked at him as it he was a buzzing fly. It flicked its tail in his direction. David swung his sword into the scaly flesh. The dragon roared angrily and pulled its tail back, taking the weapon with it. David stared at his empty hands for a moment, dumfounded. One of its claws slammed into his side and knocked him off his feet. He rolled across the ground and came up on his knees. To his left he could see the child, which still struggled in the monster’s clutch. David snatched the shield from his back and threw it. It collided with the arm that held her, cutting a deep gash. David dove, barely managing to catch her before she hit the ground. Then he set her down gently.
     “Run!” he yelled. The child turned to obey without protest. David turned to see the tail come down on him. The impact shoved him facedown into the dirt. He tasted blood in his mouth. The tail held him down and kept him helpless as death’s breath grew hot on the back of his neck. This was it – his end.
     Tiny fingers pulled on his sleeve.
     “Get up!”
     He opened his eyes. The girl knelt by him, holding his sword out to him. When he simply stared she shoved it into his hand and stood. She put both hands on the tail holding him down and pushed with a groan. The dragon turned flashing eyes on her. The hold on David loosened. He clutched his sword and slipped out of his captor’s grasp. The he stood, slowly. The child ran to his side. David put a hand on her and pulled her close in a protective embrace. The dragon lunged at them, but David ducked beneath the
snapping jaws and drove his blade into the beast’s chest. It sunk in to the hilt. The monster raise it head with a final cry and fell.
     The child stared at the bloody corpse, trembling. David sheathed his sword, retrieved his shield, and looked at her. A small tear trickled down her dirty cheek. Her right arm was coated in blood. He knelt by her and put a hand over her eyes.
     “Don’t look at it,” he crooned softly. “It’s alright now.”
     She shook. More tears slipped out from under his hand. A whimper escaped her throat. Without warning she threw her arms around his neck and wept into his shoulder. He held her against him and stood. He carried her away from the tainted glade and onto the narrow path. Once they had gone a distance he found a small spring along the road. He knelt beside it and let her sit down. Using his sword, he cut a strip from his cloak. He soaked it in water and grabbed her right hand. She did not protest, but simply sat still and sniffled. David washed away the blood and found a sat of teeth marks in her upped arm. He rinsed the blood out of the cloth and used it to bind the wound.
     He looked into her piercing blue eyes, “What’s your name?”
     “Alyiah.”
     “Do you have any parents?”
     “I live with mommy in the forest,”
     He frowned, “Can you find you’re way home?”
     She nodded.
     Take her home
     David blinked. The come came again, quietly ordering. He frowned. The child could get home herself, certainly. He had a duty that did not include any obligations to her. However, his orders had been spoken.
     “I’ll make sure you get home safely.”
     She looked up at him as he stood. A smiled of gratitude twisted her lips ever so slightly. They turned and walked down the path hand in hand. Alyiah skipped along to keep up with his long stride. Her eyes fell on the scroll in his belt with a curious twinkle.
     “What’s that?”
     He followed her gaze and smiled, “Good news.”
     “For who?”
     “I’m not sure,” he shrugged.
     “Then how do you know where to go?”
     He thought for a moment, “A voice keeps speaking to me. Hope… I think.” He paused. “Do you believe in God, Alyiah?”
     She looked up with wide eyes, “God?”
     “You called for Him earlier.”
     Alyiah’s gaze turned to an expression of calm wonder. “Did I?” she asked in a manner that did not demand answer. They both fell silent after that; uncertain of what should be said. A cool breeze brought a shiver from them. David stopped very suddenly. Alyiah looked up at him and opened her mouth to speak, but he spoke first.
     “Which way, Alyiah?”
     His face was little pale as he spoke. Alyiah turned and saw that the path before them branched off in two directions. Her heart fluttered in a moment of fear.
     “I…” she swallowed, “I’ve never seen this place before.” Somehow he knew she would say that. The air had an unnatural feel to it. He felt very certain this place had not been here before, and was no more than a creation of the whispering wind and cobwebs that ever tried to stop him along his path. Doubt hovered over him like a lingering shadow, but Alyiah turned to him with confidence.
     “What does Hope say?” she inquired.
     He hesitated, listening, “Left.”
     Without another word she started toward the left path, pulling him after her. David let himself be led for a few steps before stopping again. His eyes found something on the right path that caught his attention. A figure in white stood there, holding its arm out to him. Alyiah must have seen it too, for she let out a little gasp. The figure smiled welcomingly and beckoned.
     “Come this way.”
     David stared in confusion, “Who are you?”
     “Hope.” It seemed to shine as it spoke in a kind voice. A much quieter voice spoke to his soul.
     Go left, David.
     “Come this way,” the figure beckoned again. This was the Hope he had imagined: something he could see clearly. It made a great deal more sense than an unseen voice. It was easy to take in. He stepped toward it.
     Go left
     He pushed the voice aside and took another step.
     “Stop!” A child’s hand grabbed him by the sleeve and tugged. Alyiah implored him with blue eyes. “Hope said left, right?”
     “What if…” David spoke wistfully and tried to continue, but Alyiah held his arm tightly to stop him from getting closer to the figure.
     “Didn’t hope lead you the right way before?” Alyiah demanded.
     David looked down and took in her scowling face. It took time to realize what she had said. His head felt heavy, as if he were waking from a dream. Where had she gotten such faith? He nodded.
     “Then it will lead you the right way this time!” She pulled him towards the left path.
     “Come this way,” the white figure called.
     Left, David
     Yes. Why had he not seen before? The figure was just another whispering wind or cobweb pulling him away. Silently, he thanked God for Alyiah’s faith. The child let go of his hand and started to run.
     “Mother!”
     He looked up. Alyiah ran through a small gate and up the steps of a small house, where a woman waited with open arms. The sight of the two embracing made David’s heart stop, bringing a sort of pain to his chest. He heard the voice, very clear. This was it. He slipped through the gate and up the steps of the house.
     The woman looked up at him, “How can I thank you?”
     David smiled down at her. He extended his hand, which held the scroll he treasured so dearly. “Read this.”
     “What is it?”
     “Good news.”
     She opened it. Her eyes grew wide, taking in the beauty of its contents. Alyiah looked over her mother’s shoulders with curiosity. David watched as the woman began to cry quietly. The scene made him relive the moment he had read the parchment only hours before. Did she feel the same he had? Such joy could not be described with words. He put a hand on her shaking shoulders. Alyiah began to weep as well. They gave out long sobs of happiness while holding each other tightly. The woman looked up, wiping tears from her eyes.
     “Who else knows?” she asked quietly.
     “Many,” he smiled, “but not enough. We must all continue to tell them.” He bent down and picked up the parchment that had fallen to the ground. Rolling it up, he stood. David held it out to her, “Are you ready?”
     “But… I’ve only just learned.”
     Doubt–they all head it. It took the faith of a child to fight it. “Age and experience are nothing. If you want to do this, then you are ready.” It was a matter of trust, not work. It was not easy thing to be sure, but if one could lean on Hope then it would lead the way and make the burden lighter.
Alyiah grinned, “I’m ready!” Her mother nodded. They put their hands on the scroll, but David held on to it.
“It will be hard, Alyiah, but follow orders and do not ask why.” The child would tell many, no doubt. Her faith would shine like no other. He could hardly wait to tell others like her.
     “Orders?” Alyiah looked confused.
     “Hope will guide your steps.”
     Her mother looked up, “Who do we give it to?”
     David smiled, “When the time comes, you will know.”

“But hope that is seen is no hope at all.”

~Romans 8:24b (NIV)