Crazy things happen in life. How might these be explained? You may need help in finding the answers.

 

The world can become dark before the light shines again and illuminates the direction in which you must go. But a time comes when you know . . .

 

 

I Found My Way

 

     The clouds blanketed the sky. These fluffy white creatures flowed gently through the air. I stared in awe. Then I heard screaming coming from behind me.

     “Jacob, what are you doing standing on the front lawn in your underwear?”

     “Huh? Front lawn? Underwear? Not me.”

     “Well, look down, Your socks are soaking wet from the dew on the grass. And you’re not wearing pants.”

     “But I’m going for a walk.”

     “You’re what?”

     “A walk, just around the block.”

     “An almost naked person strolling through the neighborhood. Someone’s going to call the police.”

     “For what? I’m not allowed to walk anymore?”

     “Not when you’re undressed!”

     This didn’t make any sense to me. It was a beautiful day. Blue skies everywhere. No sign of the rain that flooded the streets the past week. I stepped off the lawn onto the driveway. I felt invigorated. It was a new day and I was a new person.

     I pranced down the street. Life was great. Then a car pulled over to the curb and its window rolled down.

     “Hey, Jacob, where’re you going?” a male voice echoed in my ears.

     I ignored it and continued walking.

     “Jacob, it’s me, Eddie,” the voice blurted.

     I smiled, but said nothing. I was too preoccupied to get involved with a passerby.

     “Jacob, you’re not dressed,” the voice shouted. “Get in the car and I’ll take you home.”

     Without turning my head, I replied, “My mother told me never to speak to strangers—never!”

     “But I’m not a stranger. I’m your neighbor, Eddie, from down the block.”

     I didn’t pay any attention. His words flowed through the air as if being pulled by an airplane. And I danced toward the corner. As I turned onto Heavenly Valley Lane, an elderly woman peered at me in dismay.

     “Are you lost?” she asked.

     “No. I’m found.”

     “Found? What are you talking about?”

     “Why do you want to know?”

     “Because it appears you need help.”

     “Help? How did you come to that conclusion?”

     “Well, you’re not fully dressed.”

     “How can you say that?”

     “You’re not wearing pants.”

     “Yes, I am.” I smiled and wiggled my butt.

     “But those are underpants. You shouldn’t be out and about like that.”

     “You’re not my mother, so keep your opinions to yourself.”

     “Where do you live?”

     “That’s none of your business.”

     “I’m just trying to help you.”

     “I don’t need your help,” I stated emphatically, stuck my nose in the air, and left her standing there bewildered.

     A slight wind blew through my hair. I was on a mission and nobody was going to prevent me from completing it.

     “You are on the right track,” a melodious female voice chanted.

     But I had no clue where it was coming from or what she was talking about. “Track, what are you saying?” I inquired. But there was no response.

     Then I heard a siren in the distance. Did someone call the police? Maybe I needed to go home, I thought.

     I started to turn around, but before I could, I heard the comforting, soft woman’s voice again. “Remember, you’re on a mission—one you must complete.”

     Stunned, I believed she must be right. It was what I needed to do, for it would change my life.

     As I plodded down the street, a car pulled over to the curb. A lady yelled, “Jacob, I thought you were lost. Now get in the car. We have to go home.”

     I started to say something, but the sound of the siren got louder. I’ve got to get out of here, I believed. But then an ambulance raced by and I knew I wasn’t going to be arrested.

     Not looking back at the car, I started to run. As the day wore on, it became chilly and my naked legs began to shake. Going home was an option, but I knew, in my heart, it was not the appropriate choice.

     “Keep going, you’re almost there. Your mission will be fulfilled,” the mysterious, female voice said in a way that empowered me.

     “I am?” I asked.

     “Yes, you are?”

     “But how will I know?”

     “Relax. Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. The picture will become clear.”

     “Picture? What picture?”

     “You’ll see.”

     I knew I had to listen to her. She would make everything right. And my mission would be complete. But things don’t always go as you want them to, for the woman, my savior, screamed, “Get out of here. Leave me alone!”

     “Why are you yelling at me?” I asked. It made me feel quite uncomfortable. 

     She didn’t answer. But then I was driven to the edge of a cliff, the fall from which I knew I might not survive.

     “Don’t do it!” my protector demanded. “You’ll regret it, if you do.”

     “Okay, I won’t,” I whimpered.

     “Not you, Jacob. Her!”

     The loudness of my guardian’s voice shook me out of the darkness of the hypnotic trance I was in. A masked creature held a gun to my psychiatrist’s head and was about to pull the trigger.

     She mumbled, “You’re the reason my husband left me. You ruined my life and you deserve to lose yours.”

     “But I’m just his therapist, nothing more.”

     Without thinking, I jumped up off the couch and wrestled the gun away from the intruder—my wife. She fell back and hit her head on the end table.

     “Thank you, Jacob. You saved my life and yours,” Dr. Marie murmured, with a sigh of relief.

     I stood speechless. But with my mission accomplished, I knew I’d found my way.

    

 

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