The Kingdom

I saw him then in the distance. He had to be almost a mile behind me!

How had I run so far?

I sat down in the sand, suddenly exhausted, even as I contemplated on what I had learned. There was so much I still didn't understand! But I understood more than I had before, which was progress.

I glanced at the sunny sky overhead. Was El Elyon watching any of this?

Was I alone in my discovery of my need for my Creator to take charge of my life in order that I might fulfill my created purpose in the rhythm of all life?

"No, you are not Benaiah."

I blinked, only to see Kuri standing between me and the sun. How had he covered so much ground so quickly?

He moved then and I blinked against the harsh glare of the sun. Kuri sat down beside me in the sand. His hand fell on my knee as he said, "It is good to have someone to teach, who is willing to listen."

I looked at him as my mind puzzled away at something that remained just out of reach. Slowly I said, "It's good to have a teacher, who knows how to make me listen."

Kuri smiled and slapped my shoulder before getting up and then pulling me to my feet, "Come along then. We're too exposed out here in the open. We'd easily fall prey to a pack of Evanik hounds tonight."

It was a sobering thought and it gave energy to my tired body to once again move forward briskly. I keenly felt the tiredness of my earlier fast paced travel, but I also felt richer for it. I didn't understand a lot of things, but I was learning.

As weary as I felt, Kuri seemed to have gained in energy and before long I felt his hand slip around my shoulders as he helped aid me along, even as the sun began to dip beneath the western horizon. Where had the day gone?

It had been morning, but soon it would be night. Had I run for that many hours today?

I can't remember making camp after darkness fell. I remember drinking, then eating, and then falling asleep.