The Quest for Paradise

I didn't resent these people. I didn't even resent them for what would happen to me. However I just couldn't wrap my mind around why this should be God's plan for my life.

Looking back I saw that the people of this place had drawn up in the sand and no longer followed. Looking forward I saw a structure of stone that had a roof thatched with bundles of dry grass.

It was built on an uprising of stone where the ridge of rocky breakers that guarded the harbor arced back into the land. The house overlooked the outlying ocean as well as the protected harbor of the village. It was a house of distinction and so was its owner most likely.

I climbed up the path of steps that had been carved into the natural rocky outcrop until we reached the door of the house. There was no solid door or coverings of any kind over the many windows that were located around the sides of the house.

The wind was free to blow through and as I stepped within the confines of the house I felt a familiar peace sweep through me. I needed to see nothing of this house's interior in order to sense something profound at once. This place was a home and it felt blessed and in order for it to be so a good man must reside here.

I felt tears slide down my face. Perhaps God had a plan after all.

The warrior who had brought me here watched me now closely. In his hand he had a rope, but he looked reluctant to make use of it.

Guessing at his intentions I made my way to a low-lying bed along the one wall and sat down on it. Looking up at him through my tears I said, "I won't try to run."

He must've understood, because he dropped the rope to the floor. He nodded affirmatively and then went to the door.

I watched him stop and turning back he said in heavily accented English, "My brother good man."

Nodding my head I said, "I know."

The warrior left then and I was alone. Rising stiffly I walked across the room toward something that caught my eye as it ruffled about in the breeze.

It was a book, but not just any book. It was a Bible and the dog-eared and much used appearance of it reflected the reality of someone's intense study of it.

I felt increasingly more relaxed by the moment within this place of peace and warm sea breezes and seeing the Bible seemed to make all my emotions culminate and spill over. Picking the Bible up I then made my way back over to the bed and taking my shoes off I lay down on the bed tucking the Bible beneath my cheek.