The cold night wind howled and swept through her bones as if it was part of her very being . It was the kind of night where everything was on edge. Not just herself, but the entire forest, as well. There was an unusual silence that instilled a bit of fear in her. What was it? Tonight would be a difficult one. She knew it. She could feel it in her bones. She’d been through nights similar to this, but also nothing like this. Would she see the morning? It was a question that was captured and taken off in the next gust of wind.
She had prepared herself. Or so she thought. But, had she really? The tree branches creaked against one another, moaning long, deep groans as if trying to tell her something. What was it? What did they want her to hear? She’d often gone to the woods to be amongst the trees. Gleaning lessons from them here and there. She loved how they were home to countless birds every spring who excitedly chose them for their home. Busy flying about gathering sticks and leaves, maybe snatching up an occasional piece of cloth from a torn garment that had landed on the forest floor or been left behind on a branch. In Summer, the trees were verdant, fully alive, teaming with life. Those that bore fruit, offered up their delicacies for all who wished to partake. This was her favorite time, when the deer wandered around lazily eating the apples and berries that fell to the ground from these trees. A gracious gift to those who could not stand to pick their fruit. While the birds scurried about seemingly frantic, flitting from tree to tree eating of the abundance nature provided while it was available. It always amused her. Brought her back to a happier, more peaceful time. So much had changed. Sometimes it seemed like it had been an eternity, at other times, it seemed like just yesterday she had run through these same woods so freely. Not a care in the world, other than how to collect enough firewood for her next fire so she could lay beneath the enormous expanse of black sky looking up at the stars. She always imagined the sky was a dark blanket. On the other side was pure, radiant light. Each star a pin hole poked through when someone had passed on from this life to the next. Now she relied on those stars to guide her on such a night as this. Tonight, the trees were somehow different. As if they sensed the tension rising themselves. Another howl of wind set the branches to moaning and creaking again. She focused her eyes into the dark night. The moon was about half full. It didn’t quite afford the light she would have liked for venturing out into these woods on this night, but it also provided more cover for her in her travels. She wouldn’t be so readily seen.
The air was getting colder now. She wasn’t dressed properly for what she was about to encounter. It hadn’t really crossed her mind when she stepped out into the night. She figured once she got moving, she’d warm up. She had been to battles before. Some were mere skirmishes. Others were long, arduous, bloody battles. She wasn’t afraid of the gore that came with battle. She was more weary of the battles themselves. Usually her question was, “Why? Why over this? Was there no reason? Had they accounted for the lost souls?” But, she had prepared as best she knew how. Her long dress was a hindrance but she had girded it up, allowing the movement she needed. She could now move as quickly and adeptly as needed. More likened to the men when they fought their battles. A scratchy lightweight, wool sweater she had fashioned herself long before when her mother taught her how to do so. Her long hair was braided, tied with a leather strap and tucked into the back of her dress. She wore a scarf that somewhat concealed her gentle features. It was wrapped over her head and tied around her neck securely so no loose ends were visible. She was lean and strong for her stature. More willowy than stocky, but it had served her well. She had fought other battles alongside her Master. He always leading and somehow surrounding her, though many times she couldn’t see Him. She knew He was there. He’d promised her.
She knew tonight was going to take courage. She did not feel brave or courageous at all. Fear had struck deep inside her like a black cloud moves over the sun, casting a darkness below. But, she’d learned long ago, courage was not a feeling. It was action despite how she may be feeling. She checked her weapons. She had a sword that she had practiced with so many times. Sparring the air, an imaginary foe. It had brought strength to her arms. She was familiar with its every move in her hands, how her arms, back and shoulders sprang into action when she used it. She had a smaller sharp knife tucked into a belt around her waist for the closer combat she most likely knew she’d see tonight. She had a shield. Hers was smaller than most, more a factor of her size and strength, than anything else. She had attempted to use a larger shield once, but it had proved more unwieldy in her long, thin arms. She would have to make do with what she had.
She took her first steps into the night woods. Turning once to look back at her hut in the woods. The fire had long gone out in preparation for leaving. She had built this hut by herself not too many years ago when she found herself alone, her family gone now. She loved it. It was her home. She loved hunting just enough to feed herself, foraging for food as the seasons provided, splitting wood throughout the summer to provide heat for her hut and fire to cook over, for the winter. She looked around. Where was He? He said He’d be here. She heard the battle cries of her enemy in the distance. The rumble of them moving toward her. Fear gripped her, more strongly this time. A cold chill ran down her back. Her breath slowed to a shallow, rapid rhythm. “Deep breaths”, she told herself. “He’ll be here. One foot in front of the other. Keep going. Don’t be afraid.” The battle cries grew louder and more furious. There was a hunger in their cry. They wanted her. She could tell. He had told her to not be afraid. He’d said, “ You will see tomorrow. It just may not be here where you wake up. But, I am with you, of that you can be confident.” She was unsure what He meant by not knowing where she would be if not here, come morning. She wanted to come home to her hut, battle weary and fall on her mat, pulling her scratchy wool blanket over her and drifting off to sleep. She longed for the familiar in this world, especially now she was alone. She kept walking. Her breathing intensified.
Suddenly, there was a rustle behind her. A flurry of activity that frightened her. She turned, sword drawn, shield held up, peering into the darkness. A shadow, then He stepped out to greet her. “Good evening, my child. Are you ready?” Her heart leapt within her chest! Comfort washed over her even as the battle cries drew closer, the inevitable battle just moments away. “Yes”, came the weak reply. She had tried to be strong for Him. To show Him she was capable. But, He knew better. “My child, this battle is not to be fought by you alone. I am here and have brought my army to assist you.” She looked around in relief and saw maybe 15 very capable, strong warriors. “Where are the others?”, she asked frantically. “We will surely need more. Their army has legions in it. I can hear them. I can feel the ground beginning to shake!” “ Be not afraid”, came the quiet, confident reply. She tried to calm herself, her breathing was becoming more shallow as she took in this new reality. Surely she would not see tomorrow. At least not here.
“It’s time”, He said. And with that, they marched straight toward battle. As they got closer, she realized she was right. There were legions. There was no end to the depth and width of this army, as far as she could tell. But, somewhere deep inside, she found a strength to fight. When she released the fear of not making it through the night and not knowing the outcome, she had a strong sense of peace that flooded through her. It was as if all the fear she’d ever felt was erased from her mind. She was singularly focused on just this moment. It would be life or death and she was settled with it, no matter the outcome. The first strike came from directly in front of her. She deflected the blow with her shield and was able to strike with her sword. All her practice had paid off. One after the other continued to come at her. She remembered what her Master had told her, “I will fight this battle with you. You need only have faith in me.” She somehow knew He was fighting alongside her, as well as the others. It was a comfort when she stopped to think of how He and the others had shown up on her behalf, to fight this battle with her. The enemy had come many times to battle against her. They were fierce and seemed numberless. When would they ever just let her be? She had her scars and a limp to show for the numerous battles. But, she also had gained wisdom and faith that she would get through each subsequent battle. But, He had also said that while she would wake in the morning, it may not be here. She wondered again what He meant. Swish! The sound of a sword piercing the air as it raced past her shoulder, just missing her. The attack had come from behind. She was disoriented. What had happened? How had her enemy circled about so quickly? She turned to see two more charging toward her, eyes glaring in the dim moonlight. She saw death in their eyes. She would die right her defending herself, but, defend herself she would! Screams rang out from them when they were just a few feet from her. One of her allies had taken them both down with one severe swing of his sword. “Remember, we fight for you. He is with us, as well.” She recovered her senses and turned to continue. What she saw and heard next was confounding. As she turned, she saw there was an army of many legions surrounding her and it was silent. The enemy army was nowhere to be found. She panicked and then she saw Him. He was walking toward her amidst this army. It was His army! They were here at His command. They had defeated the enemy’s legions. She was speechless. “Why are you amazed my daughter? I told you I would be with you. That I would enter battle before you and surround you. This is My army that fights on your behalf, at my command. The enemy showed up in great force tonight. He wanted you. But, he may not have you. You are mine.” She fell to the ground weeping. She wept over all of it: the battle, the fear, her doubt, the death, her exhaustion, the victory…all of it. It was too much for her to take in. He helped her to her feet and held her trembling body. His embrace was so welcome. The warmth and strength and compassion was all wrapped up in His arms, encircling her. “Rest, my daughter. You have fought well. There will be other battles, but for now, rest.” Her trembling eased and her breathing deepened as she relaxed.
As He walked with her back to her hut, she asked what He had meant when he said she would see this day but maybe not here. “You will always be with Me, because you have trusted Me. There are realities and forces that are not yours to know, they are Mine. Had you not survived this battle, you would still be with Me. But, you also have another home you know nothing about. One day, you will live there with Me.” “It sounds wonderful,” she said. “It is”, was His reply.
When she arrived at her hut, one of the warriors had gone ahead and made the fire. The sun was just above the horizon. The pinks and oranges setting the sky ablaze. There was a definite chill in the air. A cold, damp mist had blanketed the path while she had walked with her Master. Winter was around the corner. The leaves had begun their graceful descent to the forest floor. She always loved the reds and yellows and oranges that coated the paths she loved to walk. She was chilled and tired. The warrior that had made the fire handed her a cup of hot tea in the wooden cup she had fashioned one winter, sitting here in this cabin as the snow fell silently outside. “Thank you”, she said softly. “You are quite the warrior. Keep practicing. We know there will be more battles. Always be ready”, he said. She knew there would be more battles. It was the nature of this life. Always an enemy. She sipped her tea as she said goodbye to those who had accompanied her and the Master. Then she slipped into her hut, closed the door behind her and crawled onto her mat, pulled the scratchy wool blanket over her shoulders and gave thanks for her victory and all those who showed up to fight on her behalf. She watched the fire and listened to the gentle crackle it made as she drifted into a deep sleep. She was content to see the morning and be in her hut, knowing someday she would awake in a home with her Master.
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Wow! You continue to amaze me with these beautiful allegories and intense subject matter. ❤️
The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”. Exodus 14:14