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When they had settled, A.J. looked at her and asked, “P.J., have you ever wondered about why we are here? Is this it, or are we supposed to be doing something greater with our lives?”
He couldn't believe he hit her with such a philosophically deep question right away. He hardly knew her.
Her answer blew him away …
At A.J.’s question, P.J.’s thoughts gushed out into a torrent of words like a recently opened spillway.
“You have no idea. All day I sit at work doing my job like I'm on auto-pilot, while my mind is constantly dwelling on a land I've heard about where life is more abundant.
“Not always in material things, comforts, or riches, but in community, in serving others. I dream of using what we have and the knowledge we've gained to help others find their passion and reach their potential in life. Living and showing others a better way to live. I truly believe that as we help others, our own needs will be met. It sets my heart on fire when I think about all this.”
P.J. was shocked at what just tumbled out of her mouth.
“I'm so sorry, A.J. I have been waiting so long to talk to someone about these things, but I knew it couldn't be just anyone. It had to be the right one. I sensed the first time I met you that you were that one. The one who would not just hear what I was saying, but understand and embrace it.”
His heart was racing. “You mean a like a Kindred Spirit?”
“Yes.”
What P.J. had said could have come out of his own mouth just as easily.
Even though she didn't name it, he knew she was referring to Transformatia, that land where he knew hearts and minds and lives could be unshackled from the chains of Conformity and fear.
A land where eyes could be enlightened with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the truth and possibility.
He still didn't quite understand how to get there, but he knew the Archive room in the library held the key.
He couldn't wait to share his discovery with P.J.
“Do you ever go to the library”, he asked.
“Oh yes”, she exclaimed, “all the time, but I think I've read just about everything there is to read. And most of it is geared toward keeping readers entertained and focused on mind-numbing frivolity. Why? Do you go there? I don't think I've ever seen you there.”
“I spend most of my free time there now”, he replied. “I felt the same way as you for a long time. Most of the reading was frivolous. But, just recently I discovered something wonderful. Have you ever noticed a door along the back wall behind the last row of shelves?”
“The Archive room? Yes, I've seen it. I assume that’s where they periodically retire older reading material to make room for newer things coming in.”
“That is what I thought as well”, said A.J. “But, one day, I met a man who told me to go into the room. He said there were books in there that would open up a new way of life and show me why I was here. I will tell you that story soon.
“I wondered how much the type of materials available had changed over time. So, I went to the reference desk and asked if I could go in there and browse around.
“The reference librarian gave me a look as if I had committed an unforgivable crime or something.
“She asked me why I wanted to go in there, and why I couldn't stay satisfied with what was provided in the main library area. It was almost as if she was trying to shame me for seeking or wanting more than I had now.
“Ignoring her comment, I asked her again for the key. I will never forget her exact words” -
Young man, you have that same look in your eyes as that last one. What is it with you people? It's like you don't really even live here in Conformity. Why is it that some always want to buck the system? Why do you think you can change things that have been forever? What makes you think you are so special?
“I was even more intrigued by her comments. When she saw that I was undeterred by her chastisement, she opened the desk drawer and withdrew a key and a book, which she opened and asked me to sign for the key.”
“You're on your own in there, so make sure you leave it the way you found it,” she said.
“And with that, she handed me the key, turned her head, and acted as if I didn't exist anymore. Then I entered a world I thought only existed in my dreams.”
As always, thank you so much for reading and supporting The Talking Pen. While you’re here, check out my original ‘Stack: Life UnCorked, where we dive into the deep end of life from a Christian perspective.