SHADOWS ON THE WALL

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

Are you someone who may be weary of shadows? Do they play on your mind? Do they sometimes scare you half to death?

When I was but a mere lad, sleeping alone in the dark, they always seemed to arrive unannounced. There were big dragons with big teeth and long claws. Of course, Dad and Mom always came to the rescue, liberating me from those dreadful monsters.

As I grew older through my childhood, they didn’t go away. Of course, I was more adept at realizing their origin. They seemed to represent a deeper meaning. No longer did I fantasize or symbolize the root cause, I simply removed the root cause or object in question.

They weren’t something to be afraid of, although oftentimes they suggested a spiritual being may be attached. That too was easily solved by turning on the light.

Thus, I trust you will enjoy yet another parable blog, that of an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, entitled SHADOWS ON THE WALL. Please note, before I proceed, I must remind you that I have mixed a bit of fiction with the possibility of America in today’s reality. Of course, as you read on, you are entitled to your own opinion. If you have no opinion, feel free to join in with mine.

Lamentations 2:19 "Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the LORD. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner."

It had been a special party at the church for our young folks. My shadow talks seemed to always be a big hit. They liked joining in with the finger puppets. Nonetheless, I seemed to be showing my age, if not outwardly, then surely inwardly. It may be time to ease off, and let the younger ones have at it. Time will tell, I guess.

I had no more gotten home and flopped down in my man cave easy rocker when it happened. I was out like a light, snoring away to beat the band, so to speak. But not for long. Here came another of my weird dreams.

I was standing alone in a large vacant room, staring into space. Nothing surrounding me, not even furniture. It was simply a dark and cold, vacant room. What am I doing here, all alone in this God-forsaken place? I wondered.

Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, there appeared many deep, dark shadows cast on the four walls. They were the shadows of people of all ages, shapes and forms; men, women, children, not moving, just standing as if standing against the wall waiting for something to happen.

Mixed among the shadows were real life bonfires of burning books, documents and flags. My first reaction was, where am I, why am I here in such an environment, and what is the meaning of it all this? Is it an illusion, a dream, or real-life shadows cast on the wall of people unseen to the naked eye? Or is it simply my imagination?

I quickly found out. A man's shadow suddenly popped off the wall, walking straight towards me. He was a tall, distinguished shadow, apparently the leader of the group.

Then in concert, all the other shadows quickly bowed down in prayerful reverence.

The very instant his feet touched the floor; he immediately came to life. He was well dressed' not for the present day, but for a time long past.

Who was this strange looking shadow? Did he know of my presence? On second thought, I’d know this distinguished gentleman anywhere. He was appropriately dressed for his day. His demeanor and dress had given him away.

He was wearing a long brown coat with matching vest, dark trousers, neatly starched white shirt, long socks and buckle-topped shoes. His clothing was an indication of the times in which he lived, and the bifocal glasses perched on his nose were a dead giveaway. The more I looked at him, the more confirmed my recognition of him became, but why here, why now?

He had to be one of the Founding Fathers of America, that well-known patriot who possessed many talents in leadership, philosophy, and inventions. But why this character was here in my dream and what his intentions might be were clearly beyond my understanding.

He then began to speak, in the dialect of his day, “You, my good patriotic friend, have been chosen to help bring back this great county, the land of the free and the home of the brave. In doing so, its citizens, all ages and from all walks of life will also come back to life. They will all help in your efforts, in your crusade of freedom.”

“You see my good patriot," he went on, "today’s current elitist government has cast the people into nonexistence, into nothingness. But you will surely help bring them back to America’s freedom. Can I count on you, my friend?”

Pulling out a well-worn pamphlet, he commenced backing up his speech with quotations from our nation's founding documents.

“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separation and equal station to which the laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness - That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." (The Declaration of Independence)

” We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and to our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (The US Constitution)

He concluded, “And yes, we still have the same divinely directed founding documents on which our country was founded. Again, can I count on you, my friend?”

With that, and not giving me a chance to answer, that strange, patriotic character popped back on the wall and became a shadow again. Then all the wall shadows started vigorously moving around, chapping and singing for joy, in hopes of a new beginning of freedom, of being released from their prison on the wall. Some even quoted Holy Scripture.

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)

That’s about it, all I have to report, for you see, I was suddenly awakened from my experience. It must had been a real dream. I was back in my comfortable man cave, enjoying the fringe benefits of being a free and easy retiree.

"Oh, Dear," I called, "are the cupcakes ready? Yes Dear, I’m coming."

I got the point of this dream. I must go to work, particularly since I’ve just been elected to our little township city council. I can’t let all my fellow patriotic Americans down. I may want to be re-elected; you know. Amen!

EPILOGUE

I trust you enjoyed (endured) this bit of fiction. I couldn’t help but drool a bit, as it kept rolling off my tongue. What happened to all those loyal wall patriots? I hope they all went to work for the betterment of their country.

I trust this blog created for you life’s reality mixed with a tad of imaginary fiction, a little illusory in nature. No, I’m not on psychedelic enhancements, having hallucinations, or smoking weed. I’ve not tasted LSD or funky mushrooms, either. Just being a bit literary and hopefully making life a bit more respectful of our yesterdays, today and the forthcoming future of our Republic, the great land of the free, home of the brave.

It goes without saying that we are indeed living in troublesome times. Being an older person, I’ve never seen anything the likes of America’s modern culture. This is a time when, in order to survive, we must remain true to our living Creator God, family and country, in that order. We should not be blinded by today’s cultural upheavals, and not marginalize the impact these trends are having on faith-based living.

On the architrave above the Supreme Court is etched "Equal Justice Under Law." I pray this incision will always remain true in our nation.

So, I conclude by quoting a phrase from the last paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, "… appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions…" To this I shout a big Amen!