At times, she would be so comfortable on the journey she would scarcely notice how far she had travelled. At other times, even a few yards would seem onerous to her. She always put one foot ahead of the other and this made him proud.
He told her that she did not need to worry because he knew what she needed and when she needed it and eventually she took this instruction to heart. Even when she struggled to comply, she never lost sight of the trust she had put in his hands and she proceeded along the path he had cut for her, confident that he was leading the way and knew his way.
As time went by, she took into her heart the tune he hummed along the way and made it her own song. She knew the tune was good. But, more than that, what mattered to her was that it was his tune that she sang. She was happy but the more happy that she had made him so as well.
He had seen what she needed and he wanted that for her, and for himself. She had wanted to take the journey and saw that he could lead her there safely. Yet, along the way, her pleasure had been magnified by the fact that he was pleased with her and understood her. He had done this for her and she had done this for him, his way; aware of their own indivudal needs and desires. They were both on their way to where they wanted to go.
He continued to walk ahead of her, as was right and good. He kept her safe and directed her so that she would not fall. He ensured that she progressed along the path and rested as required. He knew more of the terrain. She knew less. This was well understood.
They stopped for a moment to look ahead and saw that there was still a great way to go. They turned and looked back from where they had been. The starting point was so far away now that they could scarcely remember how long the journey had been. It did not matter at all. They travelled together; he one step ahead of her. They were exactly where they needed to be; putting one foot ahead of the other; together.
a well considered metaphor, I like it.
ReplyDeleteThe religious undertones of this piece are slightly creepy.
ReplyDeleteSir J: I'm glad you liked it. Thank you.
ReplyDeletePL: I would love it if you would enlighten me. What did you find "religious" about it, and what made it "slightly creepy" to you?
I've read it again, twice, to try to figure out what you mean. In the sense that one is following the other with complete trust, the piece perhaps suggests following someone/something with a God-loving fervor, but in some ways, this is what D/s is about - having the trust to follow another's path and in doing so, finding one's own path. This is, in a nutshell, what my whole life has been about, but most particularly the last few years.
This is an extremely good illustration of why good relationships like this work so well. They are not about self and strife. They are about serving, and in serving each gains what each needs.
ReplyDelete(Reading on a Sunday, an exception)
ReplyDeleteDear PL, Jesus is standing on a hill, in the desert around Jordan. This way, He says to his pupils. But Teacher, they say, how do You know the way? My father will take Me there, He says, to what is My destiny...
Dear Vesta, travelling companions...how true!
Dear Vesta
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice piece.
It occurred to me that the piece would work without any changes on a Christian blog (with the "he" as Jesus) (under another persona I read some Christian blogs, and I could easily imagine it on one or two of those).
The creepiness was partly just the shock, partly I wondered whether it was appropriate to relate to another human in the same way one might relate Jesus. On further consideration (and on your prompting), I would say an unreflective relationship with Jesus and/or the holy spirit is just as dangerous as an unreflective relationship with another human. I am very suspicious of passion (that won't surprise anybody).
Clearly you do not promote unreflection (neither does Cindi, I don't think, but more on that elsewhere).
Dear cassie: Jesus doesn't know the way, he is the way.
PL
PL: I embrace passion and I think to do that, you have to let go and you have to take a chance. Passion is scary in a way because when we are passionate we expose ourselves as needy; wanting; human.
ReplyDeleteIt must be hard to show leadership, to lead someone, because in effect you are saying, "I know the way. Follow me. Trust me" without knowing exactly how things will pan out. But, when there is that trust, there are two people going in the one direction, and the odds are infinitely better that you are both on the right path.
Feel it. Don't think it. Okay? Hugs.