The Warrior's Beckoning

  Part of me wanted to leave it that way, but I knew it would not do.

  I knelt down beside the hole and, with my right hand, grasped for the chest, struggling to reach it and pull it back out. I had little advantage, and no leverage, and risked falling in if I reached in any deeper.

  Give me the strength, Lord. I pulled once more. Slowly the chest moved, and I pulled harder and harder until finally I had it above ground again, next to me. I dropped it in a final time. I then proceeded to toss dirt into the chest, until it was full. The sun had set now, and night

  was falling. I slipped on my head lamp and climbed onto the chest to lock it, only to find that I had no key to do so. I searched my pockets, finding nothing.

  Help me out, Lord. I reached for my spotlight and turned it on. I searched the area and found nothing.

  I looked down at the edge of the hole and saw something shining under the sand. The keys. I climbed back onto the chest and locked it. By this time, there was no more sunlight. The only light I had came from my head lamp. As I began to cover the chest with dirt, my body ached more and more. But I would not leave until I was finished. I had spent about three hours on the burial today and about two hours the previous day. The Lord was with me both days. All glory is unto him.

  With that, the final remnant remained.

  My surroundings faded, and what appeared was a bonfire…These emotions would no longer have a hold on my heart.

  Smelting and Forging