Crossing Over to Distant Shores (Part Ten in a Series)

Part X -- Paris Stories -- Sleep

[Interlude:  the human body shuts its systems down with amazing efficiency preparing for the transformation of sleep. The brain curates thoughts and memories like a director of a vast art museum; but when awake, stimuli evoke obvious reactions, whether provoking, eliciting, or sensory. Closely observing the response to a difficult question, like the one proposed by Gabriel to Charlotte about America, was curious.]

Charlotte looked at Gabriel and flinched, "What?" She seemed wide-eyed, caught.

"What do you mean: What?" said Gabriel. 
He watched her intently; locked stare, beating heart.

She was classically trained as a lawyer in school, but hadn't practiced as an attorney enough to learn how to lie very well.

"You... you mean what I said about crossing over, I mean jumping in?" She knew exactly what he was asking, and that Gabriel was smart enough to interpret her inner-turmoil, illustrated so well verbally by describing plunging into the cold water, swimming across. [See Part IX, previously posted]

This rare awkward moment between them now turned on how fixed their relationship was; and whether Charlotte's life-plan centered on French art, or U.S. law?

Gabriel softly probed this line of inquiry, once he saw Charlotte's flustered response to his stimulative question about the other shore (America): "I thought the way you described your dilemma was fascinating, since you mentioned it involved a destination?"

Strangely uncomfortable, Charlotte realized what she said about a distant shore came from a deep, subconscious place. She said, "To get to the other shore, I have to go across." But was this journey pre-ordained? Was it required? Did it seem unpleasant, and why?

They didn't discuss the future, nor did she know much about her own plans, at least in a cognizant, logistical way. However, her analytical mind worked constantly in the background, especially during the sacred hours of sleep.

"Maybe we should talk more about what you're thinking after your study term ends here in Paris?" Gabriel asked, in a classic flanking maneuver.

Charlotte grew up in a family where the dangerous currency of emotion was used or flashed only in extreme circumstances. Less mature emotionally as she appeared, for her crying was a weakness, in her unfledged opinion of herself. But here, with Gabriel, the floodgates opened, and she wished they were anyplace but in bed, where right now she felt vulnerable and weak. 

But she pulled him in like the moon created the tides, and as her emotions swelled, he felt fiercely protective and watchful over Charlotte. Gracious Gabriel held her close and they each thought about their own hidden interpretation of this "crossroads" meeting, like an evolving mystery. Charlotte was a long way from her home soil, confused and exposed. Gabriel was on the precipice of artistic discovery, and yet at the same time, in love with this fragile girl.

Youthful naiveté prevented them from forming future plans using as much skepticism as angst; but who knows the future, or can guess which path is the best? Life plays out like a book, with each year, and then each decade, reflecting a distinct chapter in our history. Sometimes chapters weave together as part of a larger storyline, but often one chapter abruptly closes the interplay of that particular representation of our lives, not necessarily influencing its outcome. 

Gabriel could not fathom what life would be like without Charlotte, but did he really know if this relationship was best for him right now? For a Frenchman he still was "conservative" with a lower-case "c" - even though he wasn't in the "elite" upper class, nor was he very religious; in his heart he envisioned having a traditional family, including marriage and children. If both lovers moved on, would they always look back to this fortnight in Paris as the highest form of a partnership they’d experienced? If what’s past is prologue, meaning the past has set the stage for the next act, as a prologue does in a play; how would the rest of their lives be changed by the decision today of whether Charlotte would return to America without Gabriel?

Silence enveloped the moment. Quietly, her sobs pierced the reticence either had to speak again. Enough had been said already; and they were together now, sitting at the edge of the water to which Charlotte referred, feared, but knew she had to confront.

to be continued...............

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Fiction 2018©Mark Pillsbury

August National Geographic Magazine Cover Story on Sleep:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/08/

Galatians 5 AMP - IN this freedom Christ has made us free - Bible Gateway

Galatians 5 AMP - IN this freedom Christ has made us free - Bible Gateway

Using Eugene H. Peterson's The Message (NavPress), I am working through another way to look at Galatians 5: 22-26 in order to answer the question in my own way (see above link, to read what Paul says about this?):

Q: What happens when we live God's way?

A: God brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—in this case, fruit is shown in things like: affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. At the same time He also uses trials to refine us with a refiner’s fire, to bring us up as a father trains up a child so when he is older and tested, he will not depart from it.

We develop a willingness and an ability to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. I believe we learn to love justice for all human beings, because every person we deal with was created by our God in his image. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way into life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. This is a gift.

Note: Legalism (and living by works) is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities, living for ourselves, is killed off for good—crucified with Jesus on the cross. Therefore, because of Christ’s work on the cross, we are no longer struggling to be free, fighting to survive. Indeed, we are free to struggle against sin, sometimes falling victim to the devil but ultimately preserved in victory.

This life we have chosen, the new life of the Spirit or living God's way, has to be lived out on Monday through Saturday, with a practical effect on our daily lives. Our authentic walk is more than a veneer put on for Sunday at church. More than a dedication to be a “good person,” made once but not lived out.

We must be sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads, or a sentiment in our hearts; but instead work out its implications in every detail of our lives. We cannot hide anything from a sovereign God. And we must give the same grace and mercy in the context of our mistakes, as we have been given by God in the forgiveness of our sins.

As we mature as Christians, no longer can we compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original, and significant in a unique way to live the destiny that God ordained for us to live, which should give ultimate glory to the creator.
©Mark H. Pillsbury