August 15 – “On the road”

First impressions are often precious things.  Love at first sight and all.  But sadly, first impressions are not always the most accurate of emotions.  And so it was when the Queen arrived at the site of her castle, her home.  The view standing in front of the edifice proved eerily deceiving.  For all appeared to be well, except for the expected limbs and debris and sand covering the ground for miles around.  Ah.  And except for the tree that had been felled by a stroke of lightning from the sky and split down the middle, sending it crashing into the side of the castle.  No doubt there would be damage to repair there.  But not insurmountable.    Looking around at each other, they all knew the time had come.  They must enter and survey the interior.  The debris had left a clearly discernable line around the outer core of the structure, measuring a frightening five feet.  Five feet of flood waters had covered the grounds and, yes, the inside as well.  It was indeed hard to grasp.  None could find within himself a frame of reference from which to draw encouragement or guidance.  It would be the same for all, for floods know no social boundaries.  Hand in hand they approached.  The youngest prince who had done a preliminary survey, gently reminded the Queen, "The door will not open.  We must enter from the rear, through a window.  Entering their own home through a rear window – the scheme of a thief, yet the only way inside.  Gathering nerve and tightening the protective layers of clothing about them, the tentative returnees inched the window to its highest position.    Taking a deep breath, they crawled through.    And with that, I have to take a deep breath and get on the road.  I got a text from Chris after church that her Mom was steadily sinking.  In every way she knew, she asked me to come without outright asking me to come.  She was concerned about the start of school being so close and the fact that it looks like I'll be filling in as headmaster again.  But I told her that would be fine.  She needed me to be there.  And so I am on my way.  Please pray.   Isaiah 9:6 says, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."   Father, once again I ask for peace.  For Chris.  For her Mom and Dad.  For Seaside and Seaside Christian Academy.  Be our Peace.  Amen.