The Boy
Before they left, they gathered supplies. Tools, firewood, and provisions for the journey. The young boy watched the preparation. His family gathered the things they would need, lashing them to the animals for the trip. His people had moved before, some would say often. City to city, town to town. Moving to where there is food, or work, or relatives, but the boy had never been anywhere but here. Today he would see. Today he would be traveling with the adults.
He had his own pack to carry. His mom had packed up some berries, dried meat and bread. They were heading off on a three day journey. The boy wondered if they would make him walk the whole way? He wondered if he could walk the whole way. He determined at that moment that he would do whatever was asked of him. It was a privilege to be a part of this journey.
The man looked at his son, with his pack. He struggled to keep his emotions at bay. It was going to be a long journey for the boy. They would have to keep up their pace or this journey would take a week. There would be some amazing things for him to see. Sunsets, rivers to cross, hills to climb. Enough adventure to keep his young mind occupied. There would be campfires and stargazing. Camping in crazy places with the sound of wild animals just beyond the reaches of firelight.
Like all Fathers, he wondered to himself. What will we talk about? Will he have questions I can’t answer? Should I be looking for ways to fill the long hours? What wisdom do I hold that could hold his attention? I am a simple man. My whole life has been rather dull. There was that one time, maybe that’s not a story for him yet.
The boy stood as they gathered at the edge of town. It was the time for goodbyes and hugs. He thought to himself, Mom’s hug seems especially long. She is crying a lot. Why didn’t she hug Father? She didn’t even look at him. Girls are weird, I’m never getting married.
With that thought, he turned and began the journey.
An excerpt from Broken Mortals: A Journey of Hope, by Rev. Chet Kennedy
Leadership is seeing God at work in us as broken mortals.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
ldkjethrogroup@gmail.com
