I stand at the opening of the meadow that leads up to the palm tree. I watch the tree from a distance and see nothing out of the ordinary. I make my way to the top of the hill as I clench the mysterious ancient Bible and keep it close to me. My journal is tucked away in my jacket pocket. I will continue to write in it in remembrance of Virginia Bloom. Wherever she may be, she helped me forgive my mother and I will never forget her.
I rush to stand closer to the palm. I’ve somehow been able to keep moving and remain steadfast despite my situation. While others might have submitted themselves into a mental institution by now there is a sense of peace and wonder with me that’s telling me everything is happening as it should.
As I make my way up the hill a slight breeze shuffles through the leaves of every tree. The mellifluous noise of the wind and singing birds are the only things I hear. I can understand why Professor Hamling liked it out here. There’s something about nature that makes me feel at ease, like I’m walking amidst a painting that has been brought to life. Just as an artist paints to convey a message to their audience I feel like everything surrounding me has been created for the same reason.
I reach the top of the hill and sit underneath the palm. I look up to the sky and soak in the sun shining down on me. The leaves of the tree shield me from its direct heat.
It’s the early weeks of May and the winter days seem to be ending. Spring is coming and the inviting scent of blooming flora is in the air.
Suddenly I’m saddened by a disturbing thought. People can be surrounded by all of this, living and breathing with each other and all creations, yet for some reason they still do not believe in God. A few days ago I was one of them.
I pull out my journal and begin to write in its pages.
Dear Diary,
I’m considering how all the information in science books transpired. I can picture the scientists working in their homes or even laboratories conducting experiments and gathering their research. It seems these scholars have been chosen and blessed with the ability to explain the way God’s processes work. But is it possible that their intelligence could be a blessing and also a curse? After years of hard work their main approach would be weakened by the idea of trust. But what if the missing factor in confirming their findings is faith, a belief in something you cannot see and requires no proof?
Does reliance on reason make us blind to miracles?
The rare intellectual who doesn’t hesitate to admit when they’re mistaken and that has discovered the connection between science and faith; I can only imagine what they know and how content they are.
Perhaps I’m reaching for relief with these ideas. Just because something remains a mystery doesn’t mean that it is of God. Then again, say I do believe we all came to be by some random big bang. I’m still left with many questions about all the purposeful wonders among us.
If faith is the missing key behind clarity, then I will take my chances and allow myself to believe the unbelievable. I will not settle for the information I’ve been given because to me it’s inadequate.
There’s something we’re not seeing, literally. It’s like I’ve been blind all these years and only recently I’ve started to regain my vision.
I feel…different.
If God wants me to find him then I won’t stop until I do.
I rest my back against the trunk of the palm. I open the old Bible carefully into the middle of the book. The pages feel fragile as I flip them with my fingertips, but the book releases undeniable power through its presence.
I try to make sense of the symbols. I’m not sure how this can help me when I can’t even read its words. I bow my head, close my eyes, and whisper a quiet plea to the One that has been with me, asking for the ability to understand the words in front of me.
When I open my eyes I look down at the page to see a line of the symbols faintly light up with a golden glow and then the shimmer slowly fades.
I hear something familiar. The faint sound of a flutter floats over my head and I look up to see where it’s coming from.
The butterfly I had seen the first time I came in contact with the palm has made another appearance. I don’t move out of fear that I’ll scare it away. It makes its way closer to me and hovers once again. I watch it carefully in amazement as its antennas twinkle and the shapes on its wings spin in circles.
“What are you?” I whisper aloud.
“A Monapun,” says a voice breaking the silence. I jump and look to my side to see the Professor standing there still dressed in all white and smiling at me.
“A what?” I ask calmly.
“It is called a Monapun,” he repeats. “They are heavenly creatures that appear when something brilliant is about to happen.”
I slowly reach out my hand hoping it will land on me but it flies backwards, timidly dodging my touch.
“It can be relieving for some if this creature does not land on you,” he says.
“Why is that?” I ask lowering my hand.
“The Monapun only lands on the chosen ones who will suffer greatly, until their last breath even, just to live out God’s will,” he enlightens.
“Oh.” I step away from the butterfly and the Professor lets out a quiet laugh.
“It can sense those that will face the most dangerous moments and enemies on their voyage and yet remain faithful servants of God throughout their mission. It is a dangerous destiny; however those who survive through their faith will be honored in the highest distinction in Heaven. There are some who choose this path willingly and never complain. I believe they know that in the end, where they will rest, it will all be worth the sorrows they have endured.”
“I understand. Kind of like the juice is worth the squeeze?” I ask.
“Precisely,” he smiles.
I can’t help but stare at him. He’s absolutely fascinating. “Are you…Lukas Hamling?” I finally manage to ask.
“I am,” he says humbly, “and you are the one they call “The Embellisher.”
How does he know this? I blush from embarrassment and lower my head. If he knows my nickname then he most likely knows about the shenanigans I’ve gotten myself into.
“You enjoy telling stories?” he asks.
“I guess so,” I say ashamedly. He must know my tales stretch the truth.
“And you are aware that I knew your brother?” he asks. My head snaps up quickly to look at him.
“You were his Professor,” I say and anxiously wait for his confirmation.
“I was,” he smiles. “Nathan was one of my favorite students. He was brilliant and inquisitive. I actually learned a lot from him as well.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask sounding more interruptive than I had intended. “I mean, did my brother send you here?”
“I was sent here by God,” he responds nonchalantly.
“Right, of course. And He connected you to this tree?” I ask shyly.
Lukas smiles and strokes one of the palm’s leaves like he's greeting a family pet.
“It was planted by my friends in remembrance of me. In a way I am connected to it as we are both connected to God. This tree is blessed because He lives through every living thing that welcomes His presence.”
I stare at Lukas with an uncertain expression on my face. I don’t even know how to respond. I’m not even sure I understand what he’s talking about. Why hadn’t I prepared for this? Before I can say anything else Lukas speaks again in a more serious tone.
“I know you may have many questions Zenny but time is running out and we must move quickly. If at the end of our time together you feel uncertain of anything please tell me. Rest assured most of your questions will be answered throughout your journey or their solutions lie directly within His words.” Lukas looks at my Bible. I hold on to it tighter.
“The Arma will offer you protection. It contains more than scripture and it has traveled through different realms. It is one of the only books of His words that have not been spoiled by human hands. Keep it with you at all times,” he explains. “We must get going now.”
“You call it The Arma?” I ask.
“Yes, that is what most of us call it when we are visiting Earth. You will see that it can be used as a weapon to suppress evil.” Lukas begins to walk down the mound into the meadow below and I quickly follow him.
“Thank you for saving me,” I say quickly. If I can only manage to mutter a few useful words in the time of this miracle I want to be sure to thank him. He looks at me concernedly.
“Do not give thanks to me,” he says, “thank your Savior. He is the one who sent me. And He is the one who has been whispering to you for many years trying to save you, hoping you would listen. But you were too consumed by this world to even notice.”
Lukas is being brutally honest and doesn’t seem concerned about hurting my feelings. I stay silent shocked by his statement and disappointed of his accuracy.
“I am only His messenger. Do not put your focus on me or anything besides Him. From this moment forward everything I show you is because through His grace He is allowing you to see these things. Understand?” he asks.
“Yes, I do. I’m sorry,” I say. I feel like a piece of my heart breaks a little and a crack is made down the center of it.
“Lukas,” I whisper softly, “this is all still new to me. Just the other day I wasn’t even sure God existed and now He’s become the only thing that really matters in my life. It’s hard to believe. I really want to have faith; it’s just too incredible to understand. Now I’m almost afraid to imagine what He’s capable of,” I say.
“And thus begins your understanding of the fear of the Lord,” Lukas smiles, “and this wisdom will also bring you closer to discovering true knowledge and His unconditional love. There are many things in this world that humans cannot explain. They will create their own theories to help them feel comfortable, but they do not realize that sometimes you must let go of the uncertainties in order to discover the truth.”
“Huh? Say that one more time,” I mutter. I’m starting to think I’m in way over my head. Everything he’s saying sounds like a riddle. I can sense the look of confusion spread across my face right now.
Lukas laughs kindly. “There is lot of work to be done, Ms. Zenny Moone. If you are like your brother you will learn quickly and just in time. Over the next two days you will show me your world and what you see and then He will allow me to show you the world through His eyes; with all the good and evil fully exposed. After this your mission will be revealed.” Lukas pauses for a moment to examine me. “You have little faith which will need to change quickly. For even my kindest words will not be enough to comfort you from the truths He will reveal.”