The Battle Pt. 3

The sun warmed our faces as we all headed down the dirt path. The kids raced on ahead squealing and chasing each other, enjoying the chance to stretch their legs. Aticus and I walked behind them smiling at their youthful energy and playful bantering. We hadn't gone far when Titus ran back to us and started walking beside me.

"Could we get some candy today, Mom?" he pleaded with those dark brown eyes. "We haven't had some in awhile and your friend Lydia usually has some for sale."

"We'll see, Ti." His shoulders drooped just slightly.

The girls didn't want to miss out on the conversation so they stopped and waited until we caught up with them.

"Whatcha talkin' about?" Sadie wondered in her normal inquisitive manner.

"We were just discussing what we would be needing in town," I answered.

"Oh! I sure hope we can get something pretty for my hair. It is finally getting long like Prisca's and I need something to keep it out of my eyes. Something with feathers would be SO wonderful."

"Sadie, you should know better! Father and Mother have many more important things they need to buy today; namely, food." Priscilla said. "Mom, did you see how low our flour is getting? I couldn't even make pancakes this morning for fear we would run out. I was wondering, though, if we could check around town to see if there were any new books available."

Aticus chuckled and opened his mouth to answer but stopped when his eyes noticed movement far down the road. The rest of us looked to see what he was staring at and soon saw the figure too.

"Now who could that be?" wondered Priscilla.

"Whoever it is sure walks funny," added Sadie.

"Sadie, that's not polite," I scolded. "When we reach whomever it is I want all of you children to be on your best behavior!"

"Yes Mom," rang three voiced in unison.

It didn't take long and we could see the form was a man walking very slowly and he had a terrible limp. The man looked familiar to me, but I couldn't quite place him.

"Demas!" Aticus exclaimed as soon as he reached the man's side.

"Hello Aticus, Hanna, children." Demas replied in a rather weak voice.

"What happened, Dear Brother?" Aticus asked as the rest of us stood there gawking, not knowing what to say.

The last time we had all seen Demas he had brought us news from the King. He was one of the King's most trusted couriers. He was responsible for carrying the Word of the Master to many different districts in our land. To see him in this manner was definitely a shock to us all.

With misty eyes Demas shared his story with us. He told us that on his many travels from town to town he started hearing stories about a certain road. He knew exactly which road they were referring to and in fact, had passed it many times. He had never been tempted to go down it until he heard them talking. He found himself dwelling on that road more and more and would find excuses to pass by it more often than necessary. One day he made up his mind.

"Aticus, I made the turn and headed down the road. I loved this present world and all of the fleshly things it had to offer. I knew my breastplate would not be welcomed where I was going, so I took it off. I can't lie - I felt free and so much lighter skipping down that path. I was looking forward to giving in to my lusts and passions. But the enemy was watching my every move. Without my armor on I was an easy target. One of his arrows hit me in the chest, the other in the leg. I found myself crying out to the King, knowing He would be the only One who could save me from such injuries. He tended to my wounds and brought me back onto the narrow road. But because I chose the path of unrighteousness, I will never be the same." Demas paused to wipe a tear from his eye. "I can no longer carry His messages as I once did. I still share it, but not with the same vigor and effect. I thank the Lord for His forgiveness, and look forward to the day when the battle is done."

Aticus threw his arms around Demas and they clung to each other for awhile.

"Thank you for sharing with us, Demas. An important lesson for us all," he said, looking at each of the children. "We need to put our armor on daily, submit to the King, and resist the enemy. We are all susceptible and it is only by the King's grace that we are even in this army. Let us never think we are better than another Brother and yet always try to warn one another of dangers that we see."

I went over and wrapped my own arms around Demas and told him we would come visit him very soon.

We continued down our little narrow path and I heard Demas yell to us: "Stand firm, Dear Friends" as we started to turn the corner.