And, a champion
went out from the
camp of the Philistines,
name Goliath,
from Gath,
whose height was
six cubits
and a span.
He had a bronze helmet...
and...was armed
with a coat of mail,
and the weight
of the coat
was five thousand
shekels of bronze.
[1 Samuel 17:4-5]
*************************
(Yawn.)
"It's a long day at work,
Lord."
[CALM NOD.]
[LISTEN TO A SMALL OWL,
SCREECHING INSIDE AN OLD
BARN, IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA.]
(Sigh.)
"But, I'd rather be doing
what I'm doin'.....
than being back in that
ugly part."
[PATIENT SILENCE.]
"That bad...ugly part,
of my life."
(Shiver.)
"Something beautiful,
turned to poison."
[GAZE AT THE RINGS OF SATURN.]
[WATCH THE SPACE
SHUTTLE ON ITS WAY
TO THE SPACE STATION,
DELIVERING SUPPLIES.*]
"I still have bad dreams
about it, Lord."
(Grimmace!)
"They're so HORRIBLE!"
[GENTLE NOD.]
"How come,
You ain't HELPIN'
ME?"
"Look to Me,
child."
"I DO!
I DO!
But, I still got
the bad DREAMS!
I still HAVE THEM!
Why can't You
HELP ME?"
"I am,
child."
"HOW?"
[TENDER GAZE.]
"Tell Me,
child:
what is it that you
are doing."
"What'd Ya mean:
right NOW?"
[PATIENT NOD.]
(Squint.)
(Burp.)
"Eh.....I just had some
frozen chicken dinner,
and........
an A&W**."
[CHUCKLE.]
"And,
what else,
My child?"
(Clueless gaze at the desk
fan.)
"Talkin' to YOU?"
[NOD.]
"Yeah;
but, that still doesn't HELP!
I still got the bad DREAMS!"
[WISE NOD.]
"What did your mother
used to say to you,
child?"
(Squint.)
"Huh?
Eh.........uh....
Rome wasn't built,
in a DAY?"
[TENDER SMILE.]
"And?"
(Sad shrug.)
"I dunno,
Lord."
(Small voice.)
"She ain't here,
to TELL me."
[QUIET PAUSE.]
[GENTLE VOICE.]
"That you're
never alone,
My child.
You are
never alone."
**************************
You are my
hiding place;
You shall preserve me
from trouble;
You shall surround me
with songs
of deliverance.
[Psalm 32:7]
__________________
*Maybe, one of them,
is a big box of Hostess
Apple Pies.
**Root beer.
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