It is a bit cooler today. Cloudy and 91 degrees. Clouds are comforting. Some look like cotton candy. Others are heavy with rain. We need rain regularly. When I was 11, I became a Christian. Attending church was a delight. I made many senior citizen friends. They seemed to like me with my adult persona and openness to them. All of the men wore suits and white shirts. You dressed for church. You had your work clothes or school clothes, and then there were your church clothes. Church was special, and you dressed accordingly. People cared about my welfare, and friendships were quickly formed. I learned that there were many different types of people who loved Christ’s message of love and acceptance. I felt accepted and wanted. Faith was a good place to anchor.

As I have become an old man, I have found that shiny things dull and the most proclaimed of human endeavours finally go back to dust. Too often, we buy the sizzle rather than the steak. Pepsi does not make our lives better. Drinking does not make a party. Happiness is found in us, and we must work to give it freedom from captivity. Our society sells ideas rather than substance. The power of positive thinking creates riches for the promoters of the books and tapes, while many are left with debt. Hungry for meaning, folks join churches for a chance to become a millionaire if they can answer the questions. The preachers become rich while the congregation holds on to the sizzle and the fizz.

Story compels our actions. We live in the story of humanity. It consists of stress and victories. Victories can be small but mighty. When our kids are happy, parents are happy. Problems that have real solutions rather than marketing hype. Success is incremental. All success is incremental if it is real.

‘I have wanted to go spelunking all summer,’ Chet said. ‘The cool darkness of the cave is inviting,’ Chet noted with a grin. ‘Please hold on to the rope so that we all stay together, and I will tie it here at the opening of the cave,’ Chet informed. ‘Many people have lost their hold on the rope and become hopelessly lost in the dark stalagmites and stalgtites,’ Chet explained as he held his flashlight to his smile. ‘I have seen skeletons in the cave of the lost who were never found,’ Chet winked.

‘It seems we are descending,’ Billy B observed. ‘The path is slick and I have slipped several times,’ Billy B said. ‘When I turn my torch off, I can not see my hand in front of my face,’ Billy B said. ‘Cave exploring is not for the faint of heart,’ Billy B observed. ‘I hear rushing water and someone singing,’ Billy B noted. ‘Could there be others down here?’ Billy B asked.

‘I think that it is time for a Merlot break,’ Neva J announced. ‘I explored this cave when I was a little girl and saw cave Sprites along the way,’ Neva J recalled. ‘Cave Sprites are little people with wings who live in the cave and help guide lost explorers,’ Neva J said. ‘The Sprites will play tricks on you if they detect that your heart is not pure,’ Neva J laughed. ‘Some are nice and others are bullies,’ Neva J explained.

‘A Sprite came up to me and told me to sit and rest awhile and let the rest of you continue promising to lead me out of the cave,’ Jane said. ‘They took the rope out of my hands, but I have a thread of it that I am clutching, Jane said fearfully.

‘Stay with us, our human friends,’ Sprite sang. ‘We will take you home later after we have danced and sung and smoked cigars by the lake,’ Sprite continued. ‘Many have chosen to stay with us, and you may have noticed their bones on the path down to the water,’ Sprite said. ‘We only seek your happiness and to help you in your faith journey,’ Sprite sang mystically.

‘One of the Sprites smiled at me, and her teeth were sharp like a razor, Chet said. ‘She told me that she was lonely and hungry as they get little company in the cave,’ Chet shuddered. ‘Let’s make our way back to where we began and do not stop for lunch,’ Chet laughed. ‘Do not let go of the thread,’ Chet exclaimed.