Straying Into the Enchanted Forest
Iris, Renita and Aylett linked arms and trouped down the road leading across the glistening countryside. Dew was sparkling all around them; the peach and pink colors of early dawn were most attractive.
“Shouldn’t we have shared our plans with the Captain,” Aylett asked?”
“Oh, Aylett, you are always such a worrier,” Renita impatiently tugged at her arm to hurry her along. Her friend had stopped to gaze up, way up at The Glass Castle shining in all its glory on the cliff above them.
“His Presence is always with us,” Iris added.
“He won’t mind if we miss our appointment with Him just this once.” Just this once, Aylett thought gloomily.
For me, it might be the first time in several weeks but I know the girls, especially Renita, rarely show up in the throne room to fellowship with King Agape.
Oh, I miss my early morning communion with Him, why did I ever let them persuade me to go?
“Look out,” she shrieked, “There’s a vicious snake!”
The girls leaped back just in time, trembling with fear, and a passerby with a club struck it until it was dead.
“Why doesn’t anyone remove the stones from the path?” Renita complained. “That’s why the stones are lurking here, they love the warmth.”
Aylett was sober but she didn’t answer because she knew it would make Renita more irritated with her than ever.
She realised that many of the soldiers who were responsible for keeping the road in shape found it too boring: they would far rather fill their days with more interesting jobs.
The girls hurried on at a brisker pace but kept an eye for hidden dangers.
“We’ve gone this road many times before,” Renita remarked, “and it’s so dreadfully straight and narrow. Why don’t we veer off just a little into that grove of trees, it looks so enchanting there.
“I wonder if His Presence will go with us there,” Iris mused.
“Of course: you’re getting just as cautious as ole Aylett here.”
She tugged impatiently at their hands and they reluctantly followed, albeit Iris was a little more curious than Aylett who couldn’t hide the misery in her eyes.
There were all sorts of beguiling attractions in the forest and the girls lost track of time as they explored quaint cottages, rustic bridges over bubbling brooks, a vast array of flowers they had never seen before and other things.
Finally, it was getting late and they were concerned about getting home before dark.
“Well, we’ll just head back the way we came”, Renita courageously lead the way calling over her shoulder, “We took a zig-zag path in all our exploring but we will go straight now.”
It wasn’t long before Aylett knew they were lost, and when she glanced at Iris she could tell she had the same suspicion, but Renita forged on ahead not at all ready to admit that they might have gotten turned around.
When they got in sight of a little gingerbread style cottage they had circled earlier they all fell silent.
Renita, as usual, was the first to speak. “Well, Iris since you are such a great direction finder, you lead. I’m tired of breaking a trail through these briars. These insects are so nasty!”
She stared at Aylett. “You haven’t got a single bite.”
Aylett shrugged her shoulders but didn’t answer.
Iris took the leadership role but more cautiously than Renita had. Aylett hung back and blew on the little silver whistle around her neck.
It made a sweet melodious tone that she knew could be heard in the Glass Castle by the King but not by the girls beside her.
As she trudged along behind her companions they grew more subdued, from time to time she blew her whistle.
Soon she bravely gave them directions as to which way to turn, and they followed her leadership, although she was usually a timid girl.
They were getting very weary by the time a light appeared and eagerly ran towards it.
“Oh it’s Tom,” Renita said in disgust. ”Who wants to follow his light? He is so ‘square.”
Iris glared at her, “I’ll take any direction from anyone I can to get out of the mess we are in.”
Renita flounced off as her companions ran to meet the ‘square’ warrior. She did, however, take care to keep them in sight so Aylett supposed that in the deepening shadows she really didn’t care to be left alone.
Tom was very solicitous of the girl which made them feel better. He also noted that Aylett was the only one that hadn’t been bitten by gnats and other bugs and suspected the reason. The aura of the King still lingered around her although she had strayed, and the insects were repelled by it.
“The only way to keep clear of those annoying insects is to keep out of those exact woods,” Tom warned. He paused, before adding, “On the other hand sometimes we may be lead to go through them, but you’ll want to have a proper guide if you do.”
His eyes met Iris’.
“Oh the insects aren’t that bad,” Renita said, “There’s plenty of soothing ointment at the cattle if they do bother us.
“I’m still eager for more adventure although next time we won’t stay so late. What about you girls?”
“Well maybe once in a while,” Iris responded, “But not very often.”
“Not I,” Aylett declared, “I’d rather be in His Presence every single moment of the day even if He never sends me on grand or exciting missions.”
“You’re square too, “Renita muttered.
Aylett had been clinging to the feet of the King every blessed minute since returning to the Glass Castle. How he had patience with her, I know not, but she said ‘sorry’ countless times without feeling the desired peace and joy she had known formerly.
One day Iris beckoned to her. “Come with me, you have been holed up in the castle too long and your face has grown wan and sad.”
Aylett gazed anxiously at the King and communicated silently with Him. Is this the voice of the tempter?
Go and my Presence will be with thee. Aylett could hardly believe her ears. She looked at Iris but could tell she hadn’t heard the secret message. She looked worriedly at the King but He seemed to be smiling in approval, so hesitantly followed her friend into the bright, clean sunshine.
The guard spoke cheerfully to them as he lowered the rope ladders and wished them a good day.
Aylett bit her lip and wondered why he didn’t caution them against straying from the Path of Righteousness.
After they had walked for a while Iris remarked that the road was much smoother than the last time they had gone for a jaunt.
“Oh, I, I hadn’t even noticed,” Aylett stammered, “I was too busy looking for snakes.”
“Oh don’t worry about snakes,” Iris linked her arm into Aylett’s. “We sounded the alarm loud and clear with our shrieking last time and the workmen have been busy upgrading the road ever since. The chance of even seeing a snake again is one in a million."
“And it would be me that would trip on it,” Aylett sighed woefully.
Iris turned to face her companion.
“What ails you, my friend? You haven’t been yourself lately.”
Aylett hung her head and scuffed her toe against a rock.
Iris lightly touched her shoulder. “C'mon, you can tell me.”
When Aylett’s tears started to flow Iris thumbed them away with her hand while asking: “Is it because we went to the Enchanted Forest?”
Aylett nodded, “I feel so bad…”
“Aylett, I just found out today that isn’t really an Enchanted Forest. This whole area belongs to the King of Love. Tom told me that."
Aylett’s eyes widened with an amazed ‘I can’t believe it’ look.
“Then why did we get lost? Why did the insects pester us so?”
“Because we went on our own, we didn’t follow our guide; because we lingered too long. King Agape’s way is full of freedom and joy but there are guidelines.
Aylett took a deep breath. “Are you wishing to go again? Because if you are, I, I might be willing to try it.”
“Only if you want to: I think you should try to get over your fears.”
“It’ll take a lot of faith to step over that stile and enter that site once again. I don’t know if I am brave enough.”
“Just trust that King Agape will send a conductor. Here we are. Doesn’t it look beautiful in the light of the rising sun?”
Aylett nodded uncertainly.
“Let’s use our charming whistles and ask for a guide.”
They both did so but Iris privately thought Aylett blew far harder and longer than was strictly necessary on the delicate instrument.
Almost immediately Aylett saw a glimpse of shining wings that reassured her for they were showing them what path to take. Iris didn’t receive any physical revelation of His Presence but neither did she need it.
As the day grew warmer, Iris was pleased to notice that Aylett, who had been cautious at first, was enjoying herself increasingly. Because they were attentive to their guide they had lots of fun, made some new friends who were pleasant and cheerful, and all around had a good time.
When their winged councillor suggested that it was time to go back to the castle because it was growing late, it was Aylett who wasn’t quite ready.
“We don’t want to get lost like last time,” Iris teased.
“Oh, no, no,” Aylett exclaimed and hurried over to join her chum.
The path through the darkening forest was beautiful and inviting, and Aylett felt safe following the now visibly glowing presence of their guide.
“Anywhere with Agape we can safely go,” Aylett thought as she drifted off to sleep that night.
John 10:27
Psalms 24:1
