Finally
a shrill young voice was heard. “Get away from that old shack, you silly old
Goofus! There’s no rabbit in the city! And if it’s a snake you are yapping at
you would be better off leaving it alone!”
As
the hours crept on, Lydda prayed fervently, and sampled a dried grape from time
to time. She longed to know
what was going on, but no one came to keep her
posted. There must be no news.
Once
again the guard helped the thin, tired mother by pulling open the door for her
and she crept behind a bush.
Neither human nor animal was anywhere to be seen.
But wait! What was that? Two youth were coming her way.
They seemed to be
walking slowly and holding hands. One was ever so much taller than the other.
In the gathering
dusk Lydda couldn’t distinguish their features, but there was
something familiar about their manner of walking. Oh I wish I dared go out into the street and have a closer look! Yes!
Yes! It is them! It is Tayletha and our small son Stephanos: our beloved
children.
“Oh,
thank the Heavenly Father! You are back!” Lydda said seconds later while
clasping the two children.
“Imma,
shouldn't we go where it is safer? “ Tayletha apprehensively looked around her.
The
guard glanced sympathetically at the trio and handed them a candle for their
journey back.
As
Mother and children disappeared into the dark channel, the round golden orb of
light in Lydda’s hand
illuminated the crinkled map, and a few steps ahead of
them, while they hurried down the meandering passageways.
“Tell
me of your adventures,” the gray-haired woman, who was so serene in spirit from
years of surrendering
to the threat of persecution, invited. When they reached
their own cavern, she seated herself on a hand woven rug.
“I feared I would never see you again,” her
voice trembled when she continued. The pain in her mitera’s eyes
made Tayletha
lower her head.
Tayletha
placed the candle on a small, carved out shelf in the dirt wall, then crouched
down beside her mitera
. Stephanos was already nestled on her lap, half
asleep.
As
they chatted, Tayletha looked around at their small, cramped abode, and
shuddered. To think I even
harbored the thought of exchanging this for the
vanities of the Roman kingdom! This is where love is!
This is
where my family is! This is where Shekinah dwells! Oh, Father, --the cry came
from the bottom of her heart; Thank you for saving me!
Cedric entered beaming. The news had spread by various means that the
children had returned.
“Deo gratias (Thanks be to God,) you are safe!”
Yes, laus Deo,” praise God, Lydda murmured, pressing Stephanos close to
her bosom once more, and
leaning her head against his hair.
“We were in the main chamber preparing to send a search party looking
for you.” Cedric explained.
“But
that is so dangerous!”
Amusement
crinkled Cedric’s eyes. “You call that dangerous? You were missing!”
No comments:
Post a Comment