Sketch I - FOUND

The arena is packed tonight - it’s like the rock concert of the century.
The masses are here, and I cower among them.
All come
All await
Just a touch of his clothes, a glimpse of his face.

The arena shakes, smoke billows from nowhere
and they’re screaming, wailing, pushing, shoving
to see HIM.

He’s here, they say. He’s come.

Timidly, I strain my neck, my eyes, my ears
but I’m drowning in the din
My soul, like sand, dissolves and sinks into silence
Just another grain on a sandy shore,
too small, too meek, and I don’t belong.

Then, a hint –
a flash of His golden face among the crowd
(and I’m too afraid to look – will He still be there?)
And again, His face.
Amongst the cheering, bleating throng, His bright eyes scan, everywhere.

He’s searching.

He begins to move, past the grasping hands, the zealous cries, the crushing throng, and He’s still searching.
For who?… I whisper, when suddenly, He stops. And He’s looking at me.

And now His search has broken into running:
He’s leaping over my layers of hiding, hands out, face alight.
He wants ME.

The tears come even before He arrives –
Dad, I’m so sorry, I should have come, but I have nothing left...! I look up to His approaching face, and He’s crying, too. My daughter! My daughter! – and His arms are around me in an instant.

The chokehold I expected
is the safest embrace I’ve ever received – ever will –
and He’s hugging me, and crying, and laughing. I love you. I love you.

We’re rocking back and forth together. No longer do I hear the noise of the crowd. I breathe in hope from His sweet-smelling robes. He kisses me, and without words, I know.

I know,
finally,
I’ve found home.