Golden Footprints: Step into creative writing

This time I’m not reporting journalistically from Israel, but I invite you on an excursion into my creative writing. In this somewhat different article, I will take you on a wondrous encounter that took place in my mind. Immerse yourself with me in a book cave that has a few surprises in store.

That evening, she sat restlessly on her bed, not knowing exactly how to get to him. She longed for a new encounter and at the same time she stopped herself from calming down. Thoughts buzzed around in her head and different emotions swirled around in her heart. Then she remembered the key he had given her back then. She had imagined the place again and again, but had never really stayed there for long.

Seizing the present moment and going there again after a long time seemed like the best idea. So she got up and rummaged in the drawer. The key was actually not hard to find. It was right on top. Had she simply overlooked it or actively ignored it? She didn’t want to worry about that right now. She grabbed the key, threw on a coat, put on her boots and stomped out of the house.

A trail that leads to the cave

She didn’t have to walk for long before she entered the path leading to the cave. She approached the gate that closed the entrance to the rocky opening with mixed feelings and a slight uncertainty. The walk in the fresh air had already done her good and she felt a little lighter. But she was never quite sure what awaited her in this place. Was he even at home? At least she knew that she could come at any time. Actually, she also knew that he was always looking forward to seeing her and had time for her. But what would it be like if he actively made time for her? Today she wanted to take a chance.

Her fingers had been playing with the key in her pocket while she had been standing in front of the gate, lost in thought. Now she made up her mind, pulled the key out of her pocket and slid it into the lock. It opened as if it had just been freshly oiled. The door sprung open without resistance, revealing the cozy book cave she had expected to find there. Warm air flowed towards her and drew her straight into the cave. She took off her coat and boots and slipped into the warm socks that lay on the chest of drawers as if prepared for her.

Welcomed by him

The further she walked into the room, the brighter the surroundings became. It was a warm light that seemed to come from everywhere. In any case, there was no source of light that could have been blinding. Nor was it as bright as in the classrooms or stores, where she always felt so exposed to the observation and judgement of others.

“Hello, beautiful, my friend,” a deep, friendly voice greeted her. She looked in his direction and saw him coming towards her with a tray carrying two cups and a steaming mug. Her heart leapt when she saw him and it was as if warmth trickled through her whole body at the sound of his voice. He radiated complete calmness and peace and didn’t ask a single question. Instead, with a gesture of his head, he invited her to follow him to the two armchairs by the fireplace. He acted as if they had an appointment and as if he had prepared everything for her and was just waiting for her. How did he do this?

A dress made of countless pearls

A few steps away from the velvet red armchairs, she saw that her dress was lying across the backrest. It glittered beautifully in the cozy light. He put the tray down on the dark wooden table and turned to her. “Wouldn’t you like to wear it?” he suggested and she let her hand glide slowly over the special material. It wasn’t fabric in the conventional sense, but rather the gown was made of shimmering pearls invisibly linked together.

She raised her eyes and glanced right at the necklace around his neck. He smiled lovingly and ran his fingertips along the pearls, which were very similar to those on her dress. She then nodded and in the next moment felt the pearl dress spread across her body instead of her winter clothes. It was incredibly light and snuggled against her skin more comfortably than the softest woolen blanket ever could. Every pearl on this most beautiful of dresses came from one time he had said he loved her. And there were countless pearls.

“Would you like to come into my arms?” he asked her in a hopeful tone and opened them slightly. Again, she just nodded and crossed the short distance into his embrace. His arms held her tightly and yet not oppressively. She let her head sink into the crook of his neck and gave herself completely into the moment. With her ear to his neck, she could hear his pulse. She never wanted to leave this embrace again and he seemed to sense this as he gently stroked her back and pressed a kiss to her temple. For a wonderful moment, they just stood there, listening to the fire crackling in the fireplace and soaking up the closeness to each other.

“What’s on your mind?”

Then, little by little, thoughts came back to her mind that stirred up the peaceful feeling. He sensed this too and stirred. She wished she could stay in his embrace forever, but she also really wanted to talk to him. When they had settled into the comfortable armchairs, he poured them both a steaming drink. She thanked him and reached for the cup, as she always found it pleasant to have a drink in her hands when she was sitting down to talk.

“What’s on your mind?” he began the conversation. She knew she had his full attention. “Well, what I’ve been longing for most is to be close to you again,” she admitted. A beautiful smile spread across his face and made his eyes light up. “And you know,” she continued, ”sometimes life is pretty complicated.” He nodded in understanding and waited patiently for her to continue. “There are just sooo many voices always present, tossing my thoughts back and forth. And strange feelings spread through my heart super quickly.”

“What do you wish for?” he asked her. “To be happy and content,” came the spontaneous reply. “I would like every day to be beautiful. I want to feel fulfilled, move forward, have adventures.” Then there was a pause. After some thought, she continued: “That wasn’t a very mature answer. My instinctive response should have been that I want to serve you and bring your kingdom to the people. But that’s the way it is, I’m quite preoccupied with myself.” She paused for a moment and then asked, “what do you want for me?” His kind and friendly expression hadn’t changed a bit. “I want you to experience deep joy and fulfillment that have nothing to do with feelings.” Hmm, that sounds good, she thought. Deep joy and fulfillment regardless of how she felt.

When the questions begin

“Go ahead and ask,” he encouraged her. “How is it that people have such different ideas about you?” she wanted to know without further ado. He nodded once and replied: “People are very creative. They have ideas about Truth because they want to be sure. But the path to Life is narrow because few walk it. The more people walk on a path, the wider it becomes. The difference lies in whether they approach me themselves or are satisfied with their ideas about me.”

“How do I know that I don’t just make up my own ideas?” she asked back. “Oh, you have your ideas too, you’re human after all, aren’t you?” She nodded. “What makes you special is that you let your ideas be tested. You expose yourself to questions, you have no fear of contact with people who believe different things to you. And you don’t stop taking in my Word. You want to understand.”

“But others want that too,” she pointed out. “That’s true,” he admitted, ”and you’re also taking the risk of allowing yourself to be changed. And because you know me and have invited me into your life, my Spirit also dwells in you, allowing Truth to live in you that transcends reason. Your heart is soft and malleable. And your spirit knows when it needs nourishment.”

Why these doubts?

“I wish I would just stop doubting altogether,” she sighed. “My friend, what is the result of your doubting?” he inquired in a gentle tone. “I am challenged, sometimes quite insecure and dissatisfied,” she replied. “And what happens then?” he asked further. “I usually talk to someone or read something helpful or listen to something on a podcast. And then I think and then at some point it makes sense somehow.” “And then you found new security because you exposed yourself to the question,” he continued her thought. “I created you exactly so that you want to understand, ask questions, try out thoughts and at the same time be very active in life. You’re not just a reasoning person and you’re not just impulsive. When I look at you, I am delighted with my masterpiece.”

“Really?” she asked, finding it hard to believe that he was serious and not just saying that. “Really,” he replied. She lowered her eyes to the cup a little indecisively and then took a sip of her favorite drink – a warm, but not too hot cappuccino with a shot of Baileys. He was so thoughtful. “When I think about myself, I mean really seriously, I notice a lot of shortcomings,” she murmured softly. “You need my encouragement too,” he said. “You need me. That’s human nature.”

The meaning of the pierced hands

Her eyes slid to his hands, whose joints were marked with ugly wounds that were not completely covered by his sleeves. “My love, actively embrace this Truth every day: I know you, I love you and I gave my life for you. Your worth and the reason why I love you is in no way connected to what you do or can do. You yourself are worth everything to me. You as a person, with everything that is part of you. Of course I rejoice with you in your successes, I am proud of your progress, I sometimes shake my head at your decisions and your rejections hurt me. But none of this has any effect on how I see you and feel about you. In every single moment of your life, dark or light, you can know that I would have given myself for you without hesitation.”

She tried to understand what he was saying. She really wanted to believe it. “The realization of this will deepen throughout your life,” he said, knowing exactly what was going on inside her. “Everyone has three ways of grasping truth: with the intellect, through relationships and through the spirit. People exchanged the spirit for pride in the Fall. As a consequence, many have also neglected the value of relationships in order to show off their brilliant thoughts. But in humility, you have opened your heart to my Spirit, which reveals deep and reliable Truth, which you could not comprehend either with your mind or in your relationships. My Word lives in you and bears the fruit that I have commanded.”

And then everyday life moves in

“I wish so much that other people could get to know you too! Why is it often difficult to act on these convictions in everyday life?” she burst out. He spoke calmly and unmistakably: “As long as the enemy still has power in this world, he will cause confusion. But my child, you are doing more out of your convictions and out of the deep Truth than you realize. And that happens quite naturally because I dwell within you and continue to weave our lives together.”

“How can it be that even believers have such different convictions?” “Take care of your heart and your faith and leave the others to me.” “Why do I often feel inferior in debates about faith?” “Because you can admit weakness. The other person often can’t.” “So where is the strength that you promised?” “It’s stronger, but also different than you think. My perspective is broader than yours. I see times and developments that go beyond your thinking.” “Then why is it so difficult for other people to take an interest in you?” The questions were now pouring out of her. And he took them all seriously and gave answers that sometimes didn’t exactly satisfy her. “Everyone has their time and their decisions to make,” was his answer. “That’s so frustrating,” she replied. “Yes, it is,” he sighed to her surprise.

“What do you want me to do?”

“What do you want me to do?” she continued. “I love you. Search tirelessly for the meaning of these three words.” She hadn’t expected this answer either. Was it supposed to be that easy? “It’s certainly not easy,” he guessed her thoughts once again. “There are times when the search will cost you everything.” Her storm of questions had subsided for the time being. And she couldn’t think of anything else to say in response. “Look at me,” he asked her with gentle authority. She looked into his warm eyes and could see the flames burning in them. She wanted to lose herself in his gaze and hide at the same time.

“I realize how much I’m asking of you. But in the end, and again and again throughout the journey, you will not only have overcome, you will stand victorious. Your faithfulness is the most beautiful gift you can give me. I am well aware of the challenges you face in this world. I know them. But I can already see how you will triumph. I see you growing in wisdom and authority. And I see the fruits of your life that will surround you. I see the pain and the injuries, I also see your faults and dark sides. And I rejoice in you. Put one foot in front of the other, draw on my joy, take my Word into you and experience how my strength increases in you. The legacy of your life is the outpouring of life, for I dwell in you.”

The foundation

She hoped and prayed fervently that these words would sink deep into her heart. “They are already there,” he said. “Because they are the foundation of your life that you can build on.” That was somehow true, she felt it. “I wish I could hear you just as clearly in everyday moments,” she said after a short pause. He smiled again. “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Things will turn out differently than you think anyway. And you’ll be happy about that!” She had to believe that.

“Are you feeling better?” he asked her. “I think so,” was the not very convincing answer. “And what are you going to do with it now?” he wanted to know. She thought about it and stared into the fire. Then she looked him firmly in the eye again and said, “I’ll just get on with it. You’re going with me. You’re for me and you have a good plan. I don’t want to go without you anyway. And there’s so much beauty in life. I want to discover what else you have in store.” He was visibly satisfied with the answer. She had realized once again that feelings don’t dictate what life should look like. He was already looking forward to all the beauty and glory he would unleash in the world through her. And he remembered every single moment when that had already been the case.