The Almighty Search

By: Marci Duncan ©

I went for a walk in the rain one day. Not sure what I would find. The pain in my chest was more than I could bear. I walked several miles until I came upon a park. Through the rain I spotted a man settled comfortably on a park bench with an umbrella over his head. He was not wet at all and smiled at me as I came closer to him. I was sopping wet and could feel the cold rain all the way through my clothing.  

"Would you like to come out of the rain my dear?" He called out over the rain. "No, that's okay, thank you." I called back, just a little nervous at the awkwardness of his charity. 

He looked at me earnestly and soon I found something in his eyes that made me more at ease. He moved the umbrella up again and I swear it got bigger. I blinked through the rain and walked a little closer. The seat next to him was dry. As I reached my hand toward the dry seat my hand was warmed."Maybe I will sit for a minute." I smiled nervously in wonder.  

He smiled knowingly and nodded his head. When I sat down the most amazing thing happened. Not only was I warm and dry but I could not hear the rain anymore. All my senses came alive with the smell of lilacs and evergreens. When I looked around I was so shocked to find that the park I had been walking in had disappeared and in it's place was a beautiful meadow full of tall grass and flowers all surrounded by beautiful old trees that reached up to the heavens. 

"What is this place?" I asked in awe. 

The man only smiled and pointed as two baby deer cautiously crept from the darkness of the forest. They seemed so tiny compared to the wide range of the meadow. Their walk was wobbly and they didn't wander too far from where they came. They nibbled on some grass all the while watching in every direction in case of a danger they knew not. 

I could feel their fear as we heard the sound of rustling on the other side of the forest. I turned to see the orange stripes of a tiger as it quietly entered the long grass. My heart pounded for the little dear. I looked to the man; he too had seen the tiger before I had time to say anything he got up, the umbrella in the same position never moved, though its holder was gone. I could not see him anywhere. What a time to disappear I thought to myself. In time of need, he leaves. But a thought crossed my mind, hadn't he been there when I was cold and in need? 

I watched as the deer stood still with their ears twisting toward the noise from the grass. The tiger was much closer now; it crept along fast making quiet rustling sounds in the grass. I could see even from where I was the little does heart's were jumping wildly, but for some reason, they were frozen with fear, it was as if they were glued to the very spot they stood. 

The noise got louder and before a scream could leave my throat the Tiger jumped out of the grass and dove straight towards the deer. In a flash something leapt from the forest and smashed straight into the Tiger. It was fast but I knew what it was, it was a buck, and a large one at that. I had never seen one so big. Its antlers were thick and large. The buck stood in front of the two baby deer as they stood huddled together. The Tiger screamed loudly, so loudly that I had to put my hands over my ears as it echoed through the trees. In the eyes of the buck was something strange. It was familiar, soft yet stern. The Tiger walked back and forth in a line as it growled. The buck bowed its head and then looked into the Tigers eyes. Before I knew what was happening the tiger turned away and cantered back to the other side of the forest. 

My heart was beating wildly I could hardly believe my eyes. Why would that tiger just leave? Was the buck really stronger? These questions swirled around and around in my mind so much so that I did not even see that the buck was walking straight towards me. By the time my mind came back I was staring into the very eyes of that frightened Tiger. These eyes so strange yet so familiar. They were deep as the ocean and intense as the as jagged rocks. I kept thinking that I should be afraid, but something inside me told me that there was nothing to fear. I questioned with my eyes wondering what was happening, what was this and where had the man gone. Before I could finish the thought, the buck lowered his long neck and his eyes never lost mine. His head was close to mine and I could feel his breath on my face. I wanted to close my eyes, I wanted to run, but something kept my eyes open and my feet still. There was something almost hypnotic about his eyes. They grew kind and loving in a blink of an eye. The eyes that glared into the Tigers were looking into mine with warmth and love. The buck stepped forward and disappeared, before I had time to question anything the man sat again in his seat, holding the umbrella over my head as if he had never moved. 

A quiet understanding leapt into my heart and knowledge that even now I cannot describe. I think that it is a quest that we all must seek privately. But I can tell you one thing. As I sat on that bench looking into the eyes of that friendly gentleman who offered me a seat when I was sopping wet, I was changed. His smile was warm and he nodded his eyes never leaving mine. It wasn't said, it was just known, deep inside of me, my heart knew everything was going to be all right. 

"Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe (*). Remember the Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him sincerely (**)." 

As he finished speaking he drew up the umbrella and the rain came down and washed away the meadow. As it faded I watched the as the trees grew into buildings and the grass turned into small trees and the flowers into playground equipment. 

I looked beside me and the man was gone. But that feeling in my heart wasn't. Something told me I had seen him before, and even still that I would see him again. I stood up and walked towards home and as I did the rain slowly started to let up. By the time I got home the sun was warm and the blue sky spread through the distance. Over my house was a beautiful rainbow in colors so deep that I had never seen them before. I took a deep breath and entered my home changed.  

The End 

"When the rainbow is in the clouds, I will look upon it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth." Genesis 9:16 

(*) Proverbs 4:25-26

(**) Psalm 145:18 

© 2007, Marcia R. Duncan All rights reserved.
No republication of this material, in any form or medium, is permitted without express permission