Was I so wrong, so arrogant? Maybe it is right that I found my way here, a place where life has lost its plan, its blueprint. A land, I thought, so rich with promise when first I saw it. I saw diversity and young life springing from the ground. Only now I see the truth; stunted shrubs, misshapen weeds, and this lone tree that so resembles a withered, angry old hag. These things are now my proud testament to deeds not fully understood, even by me. I stand now, confused and alone, in this rocky and unforgiving place of solemn purpose. Did fortune so well know me as to guide my hand in its purchase? It is precisely these times when even a well-propertied man can find himself alone, so alone, so soul shatteringly alone.
If I could but remember now the joy of finding your glory and power resting in a man. The wondrous thoughts of freedom, answered prayers, the knowledge of total and eminent destruction of our oppressors, all these sang in my heart with golden voices. I felt, at hand, a proclamation. The substance of which was the peace of a cleansed earth, an earth with none but the righteous children of God, maintaining the law. I was privileged to watch as your son gathered a massive army using nothing, nothing but acts of compassion and love. Saw patience and wisdom in his words and deeds as he carefully garnered his power; and the foresight, oh yes, the foresight, to harvest the poor and unclean masses, a cunning maneuver. They could be so useful in our battles, and after our great victory, I could see where those deserving few that aided us could be brought fully into the law.
I was awed by his authority, the way he forgave sins, healed the sick, and comforted the masses. Every kind of proof he gave I witnessed--everything--everything from feeding the multitudes to raising the dead. Maybe I should have listened more to the man though, as did my friend Peter. Would it have been much help? I wonder. Probably no...