Night-Travels

Evening came and Bramblewood, Forest Guardian, Fawn and their new friend Bo-lin camped out with them. They told stories about things that have happened in their lives. Funny things, good things but more importantly they learned about each other.

"Bramblewood, I have a boat that I made myself out on the Pond. It is so pretty out there at night and I have been told that at times, the faeries come out to help give light to travelers. Would you like to see?" asked Bo-lin.

"Yes, of course!" Bramblewood answered. "It is still early and I'm not sleepy, yet."

"The company set out for the Pond which was a couple miles from where they camped. "The moon is bright tonight, Bramblewood. I wonder if the faeries will be there to guide you?"

"I hope so. Either way, I will be looking for them when we get there!" Bramblewood said excitedly.

Fawn was quite content to allow Bramblewood and Bo-lin have their time together.  He enjoyed seeing Bramblewood having such a great time beyond the borders of his home. "I will go and scout the area." Fawn said, as he quickly ran ahead of them. A short time later he returned and said that no one was there and the Pond was very beautiful.

They cleared the forest and stood on the shore of the Pond. Bo-lin walked over to a clump of wildflowers and bushes to where his boat was hiding. "Climb in Bramble." said Bo-lin. The little mouse sat down in the makeshift boat. It was made of leaves and wood from the forest. "How clever!" said the Forest Guardian. Bo-lin smiled proudly. He taught Bramblewood how to use the branch leaves to row and steer and off Bramblewood went on another little adventure.

He sailed softly and without hurry across the pond looking for faeries or anything else that would be new to him. It was very calm and quiet at the Pond that evening. Suddenly, he heard beautiful singing all around him but could not see anyone. 'Surely they are faery voices', Bramblewood thought to himself. He relaxed and sailed on enjoying the smells and sounds and the coolness of the air. 'If there is harm in the world,' Bramblewood thought, 'it is not here in this place.' The little mouse sailed on in the makeshift boat listening to the gentle tunes reaching him from across the water and kept all that he saw and heard in his heart. Out on the pond alone in such a beautiful place, was another Bramblewood adventure that he will remember, always.

New places and people can be nerve-racking. New jobs,  new responsibilities, new this and new that. But Jesus tells us that despite how we feel, that does not change His power to handle each situation for us when we rest and trust in Him. It's natural to doubt. It's natural to fear. Just because Christ says to do this or that, does not mean He is insensitive to our human frailties or that making mistakes is not allowed. He only says that despite how we feel, trust Him. The more we learn to do this, the greater His peace becomes.

© Copyright Cheryl Taul
October 2009

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
(John 14:27)