The Other Side

Faith paced back and forth outside the barn door, her heart racing, eyes hooked on the seemingly unbreakable lock securing the chained handle. Overwhelmed by her thoughts and feelings, she weighed the pros and cons of entering through the doors that had been denied to her for her entire life. The crippling fear was granted some ease when she took a moment to relish in a soft cool breeze brushing against her face. She wasn’t ready.

Faith grew up hearing conflicting things about the magical land beyond the barn door. She listened eagerly as a child, but never thought that she would ever be a part of it. The people the lock opened for were special, wise, and brave. She didn’t see herself as any of those things, so why did she find herself being pulled to this place?

After gathering all her strength in one deep breath, Faith dragged the lone bench from underneath her favorite tree to the center of the barn door. She was close enough to feel fearless, but far enough to run from danger. What if this wasn’t the right time to open the door, she thought, why do I have to be alone? She sat there for a moment, tired and numb? A familiar voice muttered through the breeze, “I know, you're tired–tired of people, tired of lies, tired of tears”. The voice united with the sound of wings fluttering in the air, disappeared leaving no evidence behind. Faith had no time to reflect on the empathetic words of the kind tone, to her astonishment the lock and chains fell to the ground suddenly. The voice whispers once again, “its time”.

Startled, Faith jumped up immediately. Leaving her fears and worries behind like a snake's shedded skin. She pushed open the door to the barn, to find that it was pitch black. As she stepped across the threshold, day became night. The sky lit up with Europa along with millions of stars. The land stretched farther than the eye could see, and way further than the barn could reach. High above it all, sat Cato, the all knowing barn owl on his giant golden stumb.

Similar to an elevator with no walls, the golden stump lowered itself to Faith’s level. Cato stepped off, proclaiming, “let there be land”, and around them there were the most beautiful and perfect trees, unique animals, calming sounds, and delicious smells. Faith was amazed as a flood of emotions showered over her and a tear fell from her eye. Cato begins speaking “Stay alert my child, you have much to learn, your expedition will be long, and when you think it is over this will be the beginning. You have a great assignment ahead, which this land is here to prepare you for. Though it is easier said than done, be fearless and joyful on this divine journey and the time will pass quickly. I will guide you, but take heed of these three suggestions; choose prayer over fear, mind over matter, true love never fails. You have been reborn in this land as Dara.

Dara built her house, carved it with seven columns, prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. In the midst of building the house, she became tired, many times considering leaving the land, but she chose mind over matter. When it was complete she sent her animal friends to invite everyone in the land. She called out from the mountain overlooking the city, “Come one, come all,” urging the innocents, and those who lacked good judgment. Come eat and drink, I have homemade wine. I only ask that you come with an open mind, a listening ear, and a loving heart, so that you may begin to live and learn to use good judgment.” As she summoned the people of the land, anxiety saturated her. “What if no one comes”, she thought. Once again she used Cato’s advice and chose prayer over fear.

The banquet was everything Dara hoped for. People danced, ate, drank and listened as she spoke about the world she came from. During the feast a group of drunken men mocked her, after all she was just a woman, how wise could she really be, the group deliberated. The men were deemed fools, serving as an example of the types of behaviors that would be enhanced on the other side of the barn door. Though Dara's heart was hurt from the hatred and efforts to discredit her, she was not offended. The love she felt for the people she may have saved was far greater than that of the hatred projected. She was chosen by Cato to spread love founded on wisdom, the knowledge that develops good judgment.