© Fandango
He had to make a few trips from the house to the rough-hewn log bench his son had carved out for him. He took first his books and reference notes, then a pillow and warm blanket, and finally his large, steaming coffee mug.
He made himself comfortable in the center seat with his mug and books on the left, then took a sip of his coffee savoring the flavor.
Then he picked up his Chumash. He always studied alone both because he enjoyed solitude and because he had few if any like-minded companions. The older man found a greater appreciation of God sitting on the wood, beneath the trees and sky, feeling the chill of a winter’s morning. The world had grown cold, like the season, and only at home could he be free to acknowledge a Creator greater than humanity.
He opened the Chumash to where he left the bookmark and began. “Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines…”
I wrote this for the FFfAW Challenge-Week of January 23, 2018 hosted by Priceless Joy. The idea is to use the photo above as the inspiration for creating a piece of flash fiction between 100 and 175 words long. My word count is 175.
The “log sofa” actually looks pretty physically uncomfortable, particularly in winter, but it also looked “emotionally” comfortable.
When the weather is nice, on Saturday mornings, I take my Chumash, Tanakh, Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels, and perhaps my NASB Bible and various study resources out onto the front porch to read and study. A cup of coffee also goes with me.
I don’t have log furniture, but I do have a wicker sofa and table I can use. It’s pleasant and warm in the morning sunshine.
Although my wife (who is Jewish) calls me a Christian, I study the Bible using the traditional annual Torah cycle and tend to interpret even what most people call the “New Testament” in a more pro-Jewish and pro-Israel perspective rather than what is preached in most churches every Sunday (which is just one of the many reasons I don’t attend formal worship services).
The Torah reading for this coming Shabbat is Beshalach from which I quoted the first sentence as found at BibleGateway.com (I used the NASB translation because the Stone Edition Chumash is not online).
My understanding is that Torah or Bible study is considered in Judaism as a form of worship and drawing nearer to God, so some of my Holiest moments occur on my front porch in the morning sunshine. I decided to create this sort of experience for my character as well, particularly given a world that indeed (my opinion) has gone cold to morality, decency, and devotion to the Almighty.
For those of you who have a different religious preference or who have none at all, what I’m presenting here is a personal perspective. I am not preaching or expecting to “evangelize” in any way. In the spirit of “inclusiveness,” if you don’t agree with my viewpoints, please allow me have them nonetheless, for as much evil as the mainstream media has blamed “religion” for, people of faith have also done a great deal of good. I’m not all that good, but having faith isn’t about being perfect. It’s about striving to become a better person toward other people by drawing closer to God.
To read other stories based on the prompt, go to InLinkz.com.
Sounds idyllic. We don’t often get the weather for sitting outside here, so I prefer a warm sofa with my book and mug of tea!
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In real life this time of year I do as well (coffee instead of tea, though), however if there were a fire pit handy, there are days when it seems attractive. By spring and summer here, sitting outside in the mornings is comfortable.
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Beautiful and a conscious write. The sofa does look emotionally comfortable..
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Thanks, yarnspinnerr.
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I found such a great sense of serenity in your story. I really liked the line ‘ The world had grown cold, like the season and only at home could he be free to acknowledge a Creator greater than humanity.’ Thanks for your notes that helped to appreciate the story even better.
Beautiful story, written beautifully.
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Thank you, Moon.
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I would agree that log would be a great place for getting closer to god. It’s still a very natural thing. It’s a fine place to meditate and study.
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Yes, as long as there is also a pillow, blanket, and hot coffee.
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😀 😀
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Having been a camper during most of my youth, with family and scouting organizations, I’ve had my share of experiences with rustic outdoor “furniture” and natural surroundings. Somehow, upon reflection, I’ve never really found it to be that conducive to the kind of contemplation or study cited above. I’ve come to appreciate a bit more padding on my furniture, and better ergonomic design and support, as well as such things as controlled temperature in my environment and an absence of flying, buzzing and crawling critters that rather distract from both reverent contemplation and studious concentration. Nonetheless, that log sofa in the photo certainly reflected admirable ingenuity and craftsmanship — even though I can picture all too well the discomfort of actually sitting on such a thing for any length of time. Been there. Done that. The souvenir T-shirt was demoted to a cleaning rag long ago. [:)]
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As I mentioned in a prior comment, that’s why a pillow, blanket, and coffee is required. In winter, there aren’t any buzzing critters around.
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Great story James! He sounds like a very spiritual person!
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Thanks, Joy.
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Lovely response James and as always I enjoyed end note, you sound a man of strong beliefs.
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I like nothing better than relaxing under a fine tree. I will drink coffee or tea, and can keep quiet. But sadly I can not debate with you.
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You created a scene of contentment and comfort within your words. A delightful tale.
Click to read my FFfAW!
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Thanks, Keith.
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What a cosy little tale, and a deeply personal note on top of that. Thanks for sharing James.
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I’m glad you liked it. Thank you.
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I liked this story. My balcony gives me the space for spiritual thinking……
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I’m glad you have such a place, Meena.
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Enjoyed. And your end notes always give me something to think about.
Ellespeth
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Glad you like them, Ellespeth. Thanks.
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