Society of the L.A.M.B.

by DuCharme, Judy;

  The lighted underwater wings slowly flapped, causing a forward motion like a stingray gliding through the waves. Several held their breaths. Then the giggling began.

  “It’s like a jet ski,” squealed Lily, “except a furry one.”

  “It’s smoother than a jet ski. It’s better than a jet ski.” Josiah had to shout to be heard over the laughter. He tried to take in the whole scene. Fifteen people on the back of a huge animal gliding through the water in the dark with only the stars and moon giving light. No, that’s not right. The animal himself, or angel, has a lighted glow all around him underwater. And two watchers have been restored. What could be better?

  “You know,” Zach commented, “we should all be cold, but I’m not. I’m soaking wet, but I’m not cold.”

  “Me neither.”

  “I’m not cold, either,” said Timmy. “Isn’t that cool?”

  “It’s cool but not cold,” sang out Lijah. “I’m just peachy warm.” When he laughed at his own pun, everyone laughed with him.

  Lily started singing, and everyone joined her.

  The Leviathan carried the singing, rejoicing, totally wet group all the way to the original destination, Grandfather’s cabin.

  EIGHT

  Joy

  “Are you Grandfather?” a delighted Timmy shouted as they waded ashore. “Did you see my Leviathan?” He scrambled onto the sandy shore, now beginning to shiver and wrapping his arms around himself.

  “The angel named Levi,” chimed in a drenched but ever-smiling Lijah.

  “I am indeed Grandfather, my new special friends.” Grandfather smiled at Timmy and Lijah and took off his jacket, wrapping it around the amazingly gangly young man. “However, I did not see this amazing creature.” He placed a towel around Timmy. “I do know, though, Jajireh has worked a creative miracle. You have been reported dead due to the boat mishap. They are still looking for the watchers.”

  The two young watchers looked at each other and back at the rest. They stepped up to Grandfather. One asked, “What do we do? If we go back, we could betray you or be found out ourselves.”

  “Let’s stay here, Jacob,” the other one suggested. “Let them think us dead outer men. Then we can become real inner men. But that would be tough for our families.”

  “Maybe yours, Drew.” The first young man shoved his hands into his wet pockets and scowled. “Mine probably wouldn’t know the difference. They’re just into themselves.”

  “You will need to go back,” Josiah instructed. He walked around next to Grandfather and faced them. “We’ll need you to contact other watchers who might be willing to become LAMBers and keep an eye on those like Nathan who truly want us dead.”

  “But first…” Grandfather’s voice was firm and kind. “You must come to the cabin, get warmed and fed, and be instructed in the ways of King Glory. Then perhaps, your friend, young man—” He looked directly at Timmy. “—could deposit them back in an appropriate place for rescue. We will pray it can all be accomplished. So come.” Grandfather turned and headed up the path to the secluded cabin.

  They climbed the bluff, leaving dripping paths running down in rivulets alongside the roots and rocks.

  Grandfather had food waiting, and the enticing smells greeted them as they came through the doors.

  Amber hugged Josiah. “So glad you’re okay. I don’t even care that I’m all wet now.”

  “Yeah, man.” Brad slapped Josiah on the back. “We’ve been praying and getting things ready for this fine group.” He smiled at the others. “Welcome. We are so pleased you’re here.”

  Josiah sighed. “Oh, man, I’m starved. Dig in, everyone. Grandfather always has plenty. Thank you, Grandfather.”

  “I also have dry clothes. Good thing your grandmother didn’t throw much away. Find something that will basically fit, and hang your wet things on the rope I’ve strung on the porch.”

  Soon everyone was sitting around the house munching and chattering about their harrowing trip.

  “I still don’t know why I wasn’t scared,” said Tara, one of the older girls. “I’m not that naturally peaceful or calm.”

  “I’m not either, but I thought I was going to hyperventilate when I saw Timmy’s Leviathan. I don’t think I was afraid, just so excited.” Glenda was the same age as Tara. The clothes she selected enveloped her small frame, and she just sat gazing all around at Grandfather’s home. “This is so nice. Thank you.” Tears formed in her eyes.

  The oldest, a young man named David, stood up. “The best part was seeing the watchers restored. That made the whole crazy thing worth it. I can’t imagine a day having more happen than this one did. Twenty-four hours ago, we were all in the facility, ready to let go of our inner life just to survive.” David rubbed his chin. “And I almost led everyone back to our rooms at the facility.”

  “Jajireh heard our cry for help.” Tara reached over and touched David’s hand.

  “And,” added Lily, “He heard our shout of His truth, His victory.”

  “He heard us when we didn’t even know we were calling out to Him,” said Drew, one of the watchers.

  Grandfather’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank You, thank You, King Glory.”

  “Now I’m a LAMBer, and I don’t even know what that means,” said Jacob, the other watcher, his mouth full.

  Everyone laughed. Those nearest him patted his shoulder.

  Lijah came over to him. “You know, we all need to learn. Right before we met you, Zach taught us some pretty important things about how Jajireh made everything. Now I bet that man right there,” he said, pointing to Grandfather, “is going to teach all of us.” He turned to Zach and Josiah. “Is I right?”

  “You certainly are, Lijah.” Josiah put his arm around Lijah. “But I think you have taught us a lot already. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.”

  Everyone clapped and cheered. Lijah shot them his big, toothy grin and bowed in a lopsided fashion. With a tilt to his head, Lijah looked around. “But can I eat a little more first?”

  Grandfather sliced more of his famous homemade, thick bread. Josiah buttered it, and Lily refilled bowls with steaming soup. They all ate their fill. Then Grandfather brought out the pies. Everyone cheered.

  “Oh, I haven’t had pie in forever,” squealed Timmy.

  “Grandfather, did you make these?” asked Josiah, placing a too-big bite into his mouth.

  “I am a man of many talents.” Grandfather smiled. “But I cannot tell a lie. Brad and Amber helped me. Amber admits she’s not the greatest cook, but she can bake…just like her grandmother.”

  Amber stood and took a little bow.

  Everyone clapped. Lijah mumbled with a full mouth, “Sank yuf, Famber.”

  “Now,” Grandfather said. “It’s time to hear the truths of the Logos. You are now all children of the Great Jajireh. LAMBers are those who have received the life of King Glory into their inner man. That’s how we have life. He gave His life long ago that we might be made alive today.” He looked at Jacob. “That’s what happened tonight. You were made alive by believing in Jajireh and His Son, King Glory. King Glory walked this earth as a man in order to die. His death met the requirement, made the payment, for the punishment of evil living. Then He rose from the dead, and now His life, His Voice can live in us. LAMBers are those who know Him and walk and live in His Love, Authority, Mercy, and Boldness.” Grandfather walked over and eased himself onto the couch.

  Drew and Jacob nodded as they sat at the table and finished their pie. Timmy walked over. “So, do you see? LAMB means L for love, A for authority, M for mercy, B for boldness.”

  A slow smile crept over their faces. Drew said, “I did not know that. I get it. Thanks, Timmy.”

  Grandfather continued. “I’d like to teach a very important truth from the Logos, especially in light of current events. We are told that when we are praying, we are to forgive anyone who has wronged us.”

  Everyone nodded. They had open hearts and ready minds, desiri
ng to grow stronger in their faith. They each quietly gathered their own dishes, took them to the counter as they finished eating, and then came over to sit on the floor or on the overstuffed couches to listen to Grandfather.

  “There’s a lot of wrongdoing going on around us and to us now. It hurts us and makes us angry, but we must let our anger and hurt go. That’s what the word forgive means—‘to let it go.’ That’s what Jajireh did. He and King Glory forgave us and told us to forgive others. If you don’t let things go, torment will fill you. We are a people who forgive because we have been forgiven.”

  The soft lights along with the big cushions on the couch made Lily feel like she was home. Don’t think about Mom and Dad right now. Trust them to Jajireh. I feel like I’ve come home. Thank You, King Glory.

  “King Glory told us the story of the man who had a great debt,” Grandfather shared. “He begged the ruler as he was about to be tossed into the dungeon. The ruler forgave his whole debt! Then the man went out and threatened to jail another who owed just a fraction of the amount he himself had been released from.”

  Lijah and Timmy, the last to finish their food, placed their bowls and plates on the counter and came over to sit on each side of Grandfather. Both boys leaned in on him. He placed his arms around them, a stab of nostalgia almost overtaking him as he remembered when grandchildren filled his home so often.

  “People overheard what the man had done and reported back to the ruler. The ruler arrested him again and threw him into jail until the original debt could be paid. The jail was called the place of torments, and Jajireh said that’s where we go when we don’t forgive.”

  Grandfather looked around in joy, realizing that all of these gathered in his living room were now his grandchildren. He paused to kiss the head of Lijah and then Timmy. The boys beamed.

  “Most people you know, those who flaunt the outer man, are in a place of torments. Their inner man is weak, tormented, shriveled up. Fear, corruption, and especially unforgiveness have caused their heart and spirit to shrink. It weakens the very foundations of earth.”

  Brad and Amber brought out ice cream with cherry topping. “Grandma always served ice cream with pie, and tonight deserves a special treat.”

  Lijah and Timmy ducked out from under Grandfather’s arms and reached quietly and quickly for a big bowl.

  Grandfather continued after everyone received ice cream. “Do not yield to condemnation, either. It’s the trail of death. King Glory inside you is greater than the condemnation in the world. Hear the Voice again. Oh, hear the Voice. The Voice is inside you, and it does not speak according to what you already know. It looks forward in order to grasp in the spirit that which is to come, what is planned and written in the Logos. It is your real Voice, for you are a LAMBer, controlled by the Voice. You hear inside, and you speak it.”

  Grandfather looked at Timmy and Lijah and chuckled. Red cherry syrup covered their faces and their hands. Grandfather stood, shaking his head. “Forgot the napkins. Come on, boys. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

  With a hand on each head, he guided them to the sink. On the way back, he handed out napkins to everyone still eating ice cream.

  * * *

  Just before dawn, Grandfather said to the two former watchers, “It’s time to return. I sense the searchers have almost exhausted all the places you could be. I’m sure Jajireh knows the last possible place they will look to find you.” He smiled. “And you will be there. You must change back into those wet clothes and be found. Interestingly, a fog has settled in, making it difficult to search, and as I just gazed out the window, I saw what must unmistakably be Timmy’s Leviathan.”

  “Where, where?” Timmy ran to the window. “Oh, I see, I see. Oh, oh, he’s gone. The fog won’t let me see him.”

  “I do believe he’ll be waiting when we arrive at the water’s edge and will deliver our friends to the rescue spot. Let’s pray.” Grandfather grabbed Timmy’s hand, and soon all stood, hand in hand, heads bowed. “O Jajireh, we commit these two inner men watchers to Your keeping. Cause them to know You more and more, to remember the words spoken here today, but most importantly, to listen to the Voice and follow obediently. Let them be true watchers now. O Jajireh, thank You for returning life and guiding them to return life to others. Thank You.”

  Everyone stepped outside, and Grandfather addressed the two. “Now, do you remember the sign for the inner man, the LAMBer, that we taught you?”

  Drew immediately made three circles. Jacob quickly drew a smiley face in the center. When he saw Drew’s acknowledgement, he scuffed out the sign.

  Everyone cheered. One by one, they hugged Drew and Jacob, patted them on the back, or shook hands with them.

  Drew and Jacob alone followed Grandfather down the path. The others went indoors and watched through the windows until they saw their new friends on the back of the Leviathan in a small clearing of the fog.

  Everyone tumbled off to bed, thanking King Glory for His many blessings. Since they had been up all night, they fell instantly asleep.

  * * *

  The new family at Grandfather’s did not arise until noon. But Grandfather was up much earlier. He said he already heard the radio report that the rescue teams found the watchers.

  “What about my Leviathan?” Timmy’s face was expectant but sad. “Will he come back?”

  Everyone peered out the windows with the now clear sky.

  “Timmy,” said Lijah, “he’ll be back if you need him. Jajireh sure must like you, ’cause he was a good gift. We could’ve been down the drain if the Leviathan hadn’t come along.” Everyone groaned, remembering the terror of the phrase ‘retrain or down the drain.’”

  “We held on to his mane,” sang Lily.

  “And rode him like a train,” answered Josiah in something that resembled song.

  “He appeared like a flame,” said Zach, not attempting song at all.

  “And we never learned his name,” Grandfather said wistfully.

  “That is a bit of a shame,” whispered Lijah as he danced in a circle.

  “It must be Levi, this creature of fame,” laughed Timmy.

  “Okay, I’m tired of this game,” called Josiah.

  “Well, Lijah is to blame,” sang Lily as she grabbed Elijah’s hands and twirled around.

  “And we didn’t go down the drain,” Lijah finished.

  Everyone chuckled, high-fived each other, and then gathered around Grandfather’s table to enjoy more food.

  * * *

  Nathan sauntered across the meeting room, full of arrogance. “Hey, Drew, too bad you didn’t get the Lamers before your boat crashed.”

  “Yeah, too bad,” agreed Drew. Inside himself, Drew shouted, “Nathan will be restored! Jajireh, give me wisdom. Lead and guide me.”

  “Hey Nathan,” he said, drawing Nathan aside, “how’d you learn that song, the trap one that’s so effective?”

  “Who wants to know?” Nathan stiffened, instantly suspicious. His face was set harder than usual.

  “Just wondered how you knew it. Hope you’re not covering up anything. Higher-ups are clamping down. You’ve caught a lot with that song. Don’t want them to think you’re playing both sides.”

  “Someone asking about me?” Nathan’s eyes narrowed, and his face flamed red with anger. He gripped Drew’s arm.

  “No, just checking, and besides, I’m curious.” Drew’s lips curled just enough to suggest a smile. Don’t go too far. Be matter of fact.

  Nathan studied him for a moment. Drew raised his eyebrows, hoping Nathan would not see life in his eyes, just the question.

  “After my folks died, I went to live with my grandparents. They were old-time Lamers. They always sang it. After I split, I tried it once as a watcher. Got ’em just like that. Their inner man wanted to jump out. Must have been special or something.”

  “Special to you?”

  “What’re you talking about?” demanded Nathan. His face reddened again. “Not to me. I hated it. That’s why I
left, joined the colony, got my OGs and shades, became a watcher.” His hands fisted at his side.

  “I see why it’s effective.” Drew paused. “Those songs get down inside you, and they can take root. Nasty stuff. So I thought I’d warn you that you might be messing with something that’s like poison. You keep using it and you might start believing it. That would be major trouble.” Drew tapped Nathan’s chest.

  Nathan’s eyes narrowed once more. “Major. Thanks for the warning, Drew. Shoot, it was such a good trap, too.”

  * * *

  Nathan walked away from Drew, pondering the other watcher’s words. It better not take root. I’ll have to figure out another way to trap. I think they have some secret symbol. Now that would be good to know.

  Nathan headed outside in the dark. A night bird sang in the woods nearby. Nathan listened as he followed the well-known pathway to his apartment. He stopped, jerking his head around and shaking it. The bird’s song was the tune “Jajireh Loves Me.” Nathan inadvertently was saying the words to the song in his mind.

  “That’s crazy,” he said aloud. How could a bird be singing any song, let alone that one? I must be tired.

  He listened again. Now it was several birds, same tune. Closing his eyes, he shook his head again. I obviously need some sleep. Maybe food too…

  * * *

  When Nathan opened his eyes, it was daylight, and he was by the water. To his amazement, a shimmery, watery person stood in front of him, beckoning him to climb into a boat.

  “No, no, I don’t do boating. Nothing on the water. No thanks!” Nathan was emphatic. And confused. It should be dark. I’m hallucinating. But there is no way, dream or not, I’m going on the water.

  “It’s time to be restored, Nathan.” The being’s voice sounded like waves lapping on the shoreline. “Jajireh does love you.”

  “No!” shouted Nathan. “Not true!”

  Placing his hands over his ears as he did as a child when he didn’t want to hear his parents’ correction, he turned to run. In doing so, he ran right into the water wall. Nathan fell back and then looked up. It was the being again. He was seemingly made out of water and translucent. Nathan thought he could see a face. Was it smiling at him? Laughing at him?