The Traveler (August 2, 2007)

There was a traveler who passed through a small village every year during his journeys. This village was a curious place for him because it served as an enigma. Though it was civilized, he could function there, and was always treated cordially it was unique to all his destinations. For many years he would spend the day doing his business and then would leave the next morning, early. During the heat of the day their was an elderly woman who was constantly about the town square and the market places. She was slightly hunched over and appeared to be known by every villager. She was constantly turning over rocks, lifting tablecloths, opening drawers, and peeking around corners. She was in a constant search for something. It had been about 5 years and finally the traveler could not restrain himself from questioning her. "Madam" he said "What is it you have been looking for all these years I have been visiting?" She responded "Oh young man I have been looking for this all my life, long before you ever visited our fine village. In fact all the villagers have employed me for this search. I look all day while it is light and I consult them in the darkness. This has freed them from doing the search on their own and they can concern themselves with the cares of the world." "OK! But what is it you are looking for?" "I'm looking for what everyone desires to find but I cannot tell you what it is until I find it. All I can do is consult with you in the evening as to my progress. If this is the information you seek you will have to see me in the darkness." Well this had always been the problem for him since he was always sleeping to leave early. This is the way it continued and why he could never reconcile this village and the elderly woman. Finally after 20 years he was forced by his business to stay in the village 2 nights. He thought to himself tonight perhaps I can get the answers I seek. The woman was not getting any younger and she was becoming more frail. What would they do if she died? Was there someone to take her place or would they quit on their search? No more questions the answers would be had tonight. He completed his business, had a good meal, and relaxed himself to freshness before he sought out the woman and her answers.

In the cool air he walked to the town square and asked a couple of people where he could find the woman who searches all day. They gave him some direction he followed until he arrived outside a building with a beautiful stained glass and gothic architecture. As he entered there was a short line of villagers in front of a curtain that he suspected shielded the woman. Each villager took about 15 minutes behind the curtain and then exited with a smile on their face. It was his turn and he entered to see the woman sitting at a table with cards, a crystal ball, lots, sticks, a Ouija board, a small library of religious books, and a crucifix. He sat down and eagerly asked his belated question. "Woman what is it you have been seeking all these years?" "What is it you are seeking young man?" "I'm seeking an answer to my first question." "I see" she said "you are not like the villagers who want me to give them answers for their lives and not of mine. I have always been a spiritual person from my youth and have always sought to find God. I have looked throughout the village, and through every writing. This search has won me a certain fame and employ with these people who long ago asked me to continue my search on their behalf and to give them a report on what I find. This has been my only work." "What size is God, can He be found under a rock, or around a corner?" The traveler had been many places and seen much of the expanse of this land and knew that God was bigger than this world but did not want to disclose this to the woman. With a couple of more questions he discovered that she had no idea what God was or could be and that the villagers were content with her search as apposed to her progress. "One last question before I leave. How will you know you found God when you find Him if you don't know what you're looking for?" "I'm sure there can be nothing like God so when I find that which is like nothing else I will know I found Him." With this the traveler left wearing a smile but for what he perceived a different reason. As he went home to his wife he told her the story but added this comment. It is vanity to look for a God you do not know and one that does not know you for your search must first begin with knowledge that He exist and that He is the rewarder of them who diligently seek Him.