Ambrose Walked with God By Stephanie O'Donnell
“There’s no sign of him anywhere!” Oliver sighed. He flopped onto the worn, wooden stool nearest the workshop door.
Felix, jolted from his contemplation, muttered simply, “Hmmmm.”
The two men sat quietly, unsure what to do next. Felix stood at the edge of the sprawling workshop counter where Ambrose spent most of his retired days whittling and carving. Knives, chiseling blades, and a handful of other tools were strewn across the countertop amidst shavings and bits of wood chips. At arm's length from the edge of the counter lay Ambrose’s newest creation—a walking stick topped with an ornately detailed swan. Its elegant feathers carved with such perfection you could imagine the downy softness of this majestic bird.
“Dad never left his workshop untidy like this.” observed Oliver, concern edging his voice.
“No. Wherever he went, he left suddenly.” Felix replied.
The workshop door creaked and Theodore stepped in. “Mom and I looked again at some of Dad’s favorite spots, but we didn’t find him.” he said, “It’s like he just vanished!”
Ambrose loved his solitude and often strolled to secluded locations to get away. He said he talked to God in these hushed places. He worshiped his God and longed for the beautiful home he knew awaited him. It seemed he could see it so clearly. Maybe that’s why his face radiated a smile that could warm the coldest heart. Felix’s dearest friend was a unique yet strange sort who loved his family deeply, but loved his God even more.
Theodore broke the silence and startled Felix from his nostalgic trance. “Mom seems to be peaceful…...given the circumstances.”
“Mmmm…”
“Mom thinks…..she said that maybe…..maybe, God took him.” Theodore’s voice cracked as he spoke those words.
“Took him? Took him where?” demanded Oliver. Theodore shrugged just as puzzled as his brother, both leaving to find their mother, Abigail.
Felix, now alone, sensed a welcoming quiet settle over the workshop. Woodsplinters carpeted the floor, drops of splattered varnish sparkled in a sliver of light peeking through a tiny window. Felix noticed a line of walking sticks hung on the wall ready for the market. Each one uniquely carved; each one with Ambrose’s favorite saying etched, then burned, so it stood out in contrast against the pale backdrop of the fresh wood grain: “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
Each Saturday morning Ambrose would gather these completed works of art and walk down to the market in the center of town. While the townspeople gathered here for fresh foods, beautiful crafts, for necessities and luxuries, Ambrose came for another purpose. He walked through the distracted crowd, his face beaming like a ray of light bursting forth into a dark and dusty place. Here he joyfully talked to people about his God, a promised savior, and a heaven with glories beyond understanding. Then he gave them a walking stick. Though most left disinterested in his words, everyone took the hand-carved gift with gratitude.
Ambrose grew up listening to his grandfather’s stories of old—so did all the kids in town. Everyone, including Felix, took them to be fables meant to inspire good behavior; though they never did. But Ambrose was different. He believed the stories to be true, and somehow that changed him, making him different from the rest of the people in town. In spite of Ambrose’s odd character, Felix remained a close friend.
Later that evening Felix meandered to one of Ambrose’s favorite places, Shalom’s Knoll. A waxing Gibbous moon shimmered on the lake below. The silence around Felix was broken only by the rhythm of waves lapping upon the shore and crickets chirping. He sat on the crest of the grassy hill above the lake and swayed to the melody nature played. He thought of Ambrose and all the times he would have enjoyed the presence of God in this very place. Tears flowed as his friend's words pierced his heart: Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Perplexed, yet at peace, Felix prayed to Ambrose’s God.
⭑⭑⭑
Time passed. Ambrose was never found. A plain flat stone lay over his empty grave with a simple truth forever etched in its surface: Ambrose walked with God. One day not long after its placement, Abigail visited the grave of her beloved husband. Brushing the dirt from the grave stone, she fussed with a new bouquet placing it just right. Next to the flowers she laid a walking stick with a loon delicately carved in its handle. She wasn’t the only one who visited the grave, for each time she came she brought one of Ambrose’s sticks. Each time the stick was gone.
Abigail left the graveside and found herself approaching the crest of a grassy hill which overlooked a secluded glistening lake. Here she came to sit and be still. Confusion filled her mind and grief poured from her eyes as she cradled her knees in her hands. A lonely, solemn call of the loon echoed across the water below. She shivered at its haunting cry. In the stillness, Abigail whispered a prayer of gratitude to her God. Ambrose’s God.
Maybe, just maybe, God took him.
Stephanie O'Donnell is a wife, mom, Mimi to two grandchildren and elementary school teacher. She is also a photographer and writer who treasures the truth of God's Word and appreciates capturing nature in all its simple beauty so often overlooked in our daily grind. She writes at thelightformypath.com/ for the glory of God and to proclaim his great name. She lives in a rural Canadian town where she is actively involved in her local church, the same one which introduced her to the Savior many years ago.
