RITE OF PASSAGE

A friend sent me this in an E-mail.  Thought you might enjoy this legend!


Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of Passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone.  He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it.  He cannot cry out for help to anyone.


Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him . Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!


Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.
He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.
 
We, too, are never alone.
Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, Sitting on the stump beside us.


When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

Moral of the story:

Just because you can't see God,
Doesn't mean He is not there.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight."





8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love that story. How wonderful to realize how true that is. I makes me feel so good to know that is the truth. Thanks for sharing.
QMM

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Thank-you for the reminder that God is always within reach.Have a pleasant day.
Blessings,Ruth

C. JoyBell C. said...

This has made me cry. That is actually very beautiful, Karin. :) I am 1/8 American Indian, myself. :)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wonderful story and message, Karin.... Yes---God is ALWAYS right there sitting on that stump watching over us....

Hugs,
Betsy

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wonderful story and message, Karin.... Yes---God is ALWAYS right there sitting on that stump watching over us....

Hugs,
Betsy

NCmountainwoman said...

Beautiful post. Something we need to keep remembering when times seem hard.

Anneliese said...

That is a wonderful story to remind us that our heavenly Father never leaves us either. Thank you, Karin

George said...

What a great story and what a great lesson. Thanks!