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Halfway Down the Road
The airbrakes on the 18-wheeler hissed loudly as the driver pulled the truck to a halt in front of the huge gate near the roadside. The shabbily-dressed young man reached for the passenger door handle, thanking the driver as he hopped to the ground.
“Are you sure this is where you want off?” The driver quietly asked.
“I know that I‘m not dressed fit to enter a place like this” The youth replied as his eyes studied the ground. “You don’t have to remind me of that! I’ll soon know if I made the right decision to come here.”
“Well, anyway, good luck to you son.” The driver smiled.
“Thanks, and much obliged for the lift, mister. I wish I could pay you.”
“You’re welcome, son. Don’t worry about it.”
As the young man paused at the entranceway he heard the whine of the engine as the truck driver began shifting through the many forward gears of the 18-wheeler. He had arrived at the moment of truth; he could enter the gate or attempt to hitch another ride. He had not come this far to turn back. The young man with tattered clothing and long matted hair stepped toward the entrance.
He had expected the huge iron gate to be closed and locked, as always. The youth had been prepared to climb the fence if necessary—even at the risk of setting off the security alarm. This plan was simply his last resort; if it failed he had no other plan. But instead of being closed and secured, the large gate stood open wide, as though inviting him to enter. Perhaps fortune was turning his way at last!
As the young man placed his badly worn shoes upon the smooth surface of the road leading to the large red-brick mansion far back from the highway, painful scenes from the past four years came flooding back. His physical appearance was a stark contrast to the pristine, quiet serenity that surrounded him. He paused to take in the fragrance of the brightly-blooming roses on either side of the paved road leading to the house. The lad also glanced at the lovely Dogwood trees in full bloom—they were his favorite. He could also picture the lush green fields that ranged far behind the main house. In those vast fields hired workers labored for good wages; wages was what he needed right now to fill the emptiness in his stomach and heart.
Completing the walk up to the great house would be the most difficult task the young man had ever attempted; suddenly his knees felt extremely rubbery. What if he could not get the job as a field hand that he sought? He had no other place to go! Four years ago, at age 18, his pride would never have let him take this walk in his disheveled state; that pride had been his problem. He had heard somewhere that pride goes before a fall; well, he had fallen a long way in four years! This young man was no longer clothed in pride. He began the long walk toward the main house where the road ended in a circular drive. The circular drive enclosed a beautiful ornate fountain in front of the huge red-brick mansion.
The old gray-haired man stood at the window of his immaculate study overlooking the expansive grounds in front of his mansion. They continued for a hundred yards to the 12-foot fence at the edge of the highway. He enjoyed the loveliness that the late afternoon sunshine brought as it deeply saturated the colors of the Dogwoods and roses. As he glanced at the front gate, the elderly man’s eyes sighted a figure silhouetted in the open gateway. The years had taken their toll on his eyesight, and unable to see the figure clearly, the old man stepped to his mahogany desk to retrieve his glasses.
With the aid of his glasses, the advancing figure now became totally recognizable. He could not believe what his ancient eyes were revealing to his brain! Immediately he exited his study and headed for the front door.
The young man first saw the old man when the latter opened the front door. He hesitated for a moment—should he turn and flee, or continue the long walk to the house? Reason told him to run but his heart would have none of it!
The old man began slowly walking toward the approaching figure—at first a bit hesitant himself, but soon quickened his pace. Suddenly the old man realized that he was running, running toward the young man who strode shyly toward him. The elderly man was not aware just when he began waving his arms as he ran down the paved road. He was still running as the two men reached the halfway point in the road.
As the young man noticed the old man running toward him, he again felt that he should take flight; again he could not. He saw the old man waving both arms wildly and feared being struck by him. The youth slowed to a halt as the old man approached him.
When the two men came together, the old man threw up both arms, and captured the young lad in a fierce embrace! The startled youth was puzzled more than frightened. The old man gripped him so tightly he was sure he felt bones snap! Suddenly both men were shaking, caused by the old man’s heaving sobbing. The old man buried his face desperately against the young man’s neck as he wept unashamedly.
With their faces so close together the youth could clearly hear the old man’s cries: “My son was dead and is alive; was lost and is found!”
© 2005 James A. Henson
To the Glory of God
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