From time to time in his walk with men, the Carpenter would spend some time in solitude. Away from the crowds, away, even, from his closest friends. In the wilds of Israel, amidst the stone and brush, he would lay down the rush of life. For a while, he would leave the knife-edged press of duty and desire, rekindle the fire of meaning, restore the closeness he needed with Father and Spirit.

We sometimes walk too fast, feet not quite touching earth, face not quite touching wind, fingers kept just short of touching others. We move along so crowded we cannot extend our arms yet with such distance that we avoid all contact. We are sometimes lonely in this shell that keeps us safe and sometimes the loneliness is the danger.

Some of us are meant to be torches, shining in the night, yielding light along the path. Others are meant to be coals, glowing as one, yielding warmth and comfort. None of us were meant to be alone even when our walk calls us to serve without company.

H. Arnett
9/03/09