Here is an excerpt from the book, "Hinds Feet on High Places". It is about a little girl whose name was Much Afraid. She lived with the Fearing Family, deep in the valley of hopelessness.

For as long as she could remember Much Afraid wanted to go to the High Places. But, like her name, she was afraid. When Much Afraid made the decision to go, the Good Shepherd assured her that He would be there every step of the way. He told her to fear not. She only needed to say, "Shepherd! Come quickly!" and He would be right at her side. The shepherd knew the way very well. He had helped many people over the paths and trails that lead to the High Places.

To assist Much Afraid on her journey, the Shepherd introduced her to two companions. He said that they would be there to help her whenever she had to make difficult decisions. The Shepherd told her that she would have difficulty understanding them at first, but as she grew to know them better it would all make sense.

He went on to instruct Much Afraid and said, "..there is one thing I must tell you. You must NEVER, NEVER let go of their hands. They will help guide you, but you must never let go." She asked their names, and the Lord said, Sorrow and Suffering.

Well, one day, as Much Afraid was on her way to the High Places, she was lead into the wilderness. All she could see was a hot desert. She said to Sorrow and Suffering, in a loud voice, "This cannot be the way to the High Places! Surly you must be wrong!" I'll call the Shepherd, she thought.

She cried out and said, "Shepherd, come quickly!" He did. "This can not be the way to the High Places!", she cried. The Shepherd only nodded his head. Again Much Afraid shouted out, "It is impossible! The High Places are the other way, I can see them from here!" The Shepherd's eyes began to fill with tears. The Shepherd knew what Was best for Much Afraid. For only He knew of the rocky climb ahead. The Shepherd knew the lessons learned in the wilderness would benefit her later. And so, Much Afraid trusted the Shepherd and went down into the desert.

Not long after her descent, she noticed very few things of value. She didn't want to be there. Who would? But, it was the way none the less. It is hard to see beauty when there is so much pain. As she looked near a big rock, she noticed a little yellow flower. All alone. The flower was growing directly under an old rusty water pipe. It was so beautiful. Every so often the pipe would give up it's life giving water. Much Afraid asked the flower, "What is your name?" The flower replied, My name is "Acceptance With Joy" The flower went on to say, "You will learn much here on your way to the High Places. Of which the first is the ABC's of Love. The letter "A" stands for my name, Acceptance With Joy". And so, Much Afraid went on through the desert learning and questioning as she went.

We need only to cry, "Shepherd Come Quickly!" He will.

Do not look for yesterday's joy. Look for today's Grace! All of Our yesterdays are gone forever and our tomorrows will care about themselves, if we will let them. There will be better joys to come.

I used to fight my battles too. I lost most of them. It was not until God told me this, "Bob, the battle belongs to the Lord." He will fight them for us. We only need to believe. It is a trick of the devil to deceive us into thinking that we can fight and win. The longer we fight and try to control things ourselves, the longer we will lose the battles.

• Added: January 26, 2000
• Source: From the Book - Hinds Feet on High Places
• Posted By: Robert E. Coker email to coker77@prodigy.net

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