April 6 – “Crystal Beasts and Dark Magic”

Chris had her physical/head fixin' therapy appointment yesterday.  It wasn't near as fun to watch as the test was the other day.  Simple head movements and moving up and down on the table.  The explanation was a bit more involved, though.  She showed us another chart with the ear and middle ear and inner ear.  It felt like we were trapped in a Lord of the Rings remake.    The rocks in her head - the Crystal Beasts with secret powers to bring down giants with a mere touch of the right nerve – are supposed to stay locked in an elevator-like prison of the Inner Ear.  Their purpose is to regulate balance in the Up and Down Realm.  Through some form of magical trickery – for even the best of scientists on our world have as yet failed to ascertain exactly how the feat is accomplished - somehow, some of the tiny crystal cells manage to escape their dungeon and begin an escapade of tomfoolery that wreaks havoc on the balance of nature.    They sneak into one of the three fluid-filled canals nearby.  Those canals are designed to help regulate balance in the Side-to-Side Realm.  Any intrusion into the precious fluid source disrupts the delicate truce that maintains world equilibrium.  And into that unsuspecting, serene environment burrows the Rocky Ravenous Renegade, bent not so much on destruction as on a final fling of annoyance.  For the Crystal Beast can exist only four to six weeks outside its natural habitat before coming to the end of its days and gradually, piece by piece, disintegrating into nothingness.    The Defense against the Dark Arts mind manipulators have discovered one point of defense against the evil intruders.  Through a series of head movements, the canal fluid containing the offending crystal is sloshed first one way, then the other, forcing the solid particle to move along the canal path, away from the vulnerable nerves.  An occasional vibration/head shake might be required to force the creature to release its grip.  But finally the intruder is isolated and locked away into a secondary chamber, forced to live out its remaining days in obscurity.    Sadly, however, once one of the Crystal Beasts has tasted freedom, it is somehow able to communicate with the others in the Elevator Dungeon.  And they, too, develop a thirst for adventure.  Before long another will figure out the Dark Magic.  And the unfortunate cycle will begin again.  So strong is the Dark Magic, in fact, that it even has the capacity to travel from host to offspring.  And when it is successful, yet another generation is doomed to the never ending battle against the evil forces of Dizziness, Stumbling, and Lack of Balance Control.   So Chris is scheduled for another three battles against the Crystal Beasts.  They may not prove necessary right now.  It's possible that the latest offenders have completed their run and are gradually fading away.  But chances are she will need to take up arms once again.  And when that happens, we are ready with our battle cry, "To ears!  To ears!"   Jeremiah 23:24 says, "'Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?' declares the Lord.  'Do not I fill heaven and earth?' declares the Lord."   Father, you watch even the tiniest crystals in our inner ear.  Watch over Chris as she walks, and sometimes teeters, through this balance thing.  Amen.