From The Reeds (adapted from the book of Exodus, David Russell)

Hello Grafted In Reader,

Today is September 14 in my corner of blog land. Last week, my wife and I celebrated 19 years of marriage and enjoyed time away from town and routine.

Today, I wish to share one of my stories with you which is based on the life of Moshe, Moses, Biblical character.
This is a very broad overview of his life. The phrase, Fear not, be not dismayed, surely applies to all persons of faith, and is quite pronounced in this historic leader's life.
Please enjoy, comment if you wish and share with friends.

From The Reeds
by David Russell

"Moshe, hush little one don't you cry;
someone will come along by and by
give you the life that I cannot
Hush little Moshe you won't be forgot," His mother with tear-stained eyes and perspiring said those words as she settled her 4-year-old son in a basket in a thicket of weeds near the Nile River. Her life had been hard, and her husband had left her shortly after Moshe was born. She turned away slowly and walked back toward the hut where she lived with two other slave girls. The accommodations were very basic, but the hurt in her heart would decorate much of her life until the end of her days, and she would go home to her fathers in peace.

A little while later, two women were escorting the King's daughter to the river. They were going to pick some flowers for a ball being held in the honor of the King that evening in the palace prominade.

"Do you hear that? It sounds like an abandoned child. Who on God's green earth would have the nerve?" Said King Pharaoh's daughter.

"Do you want us to do something with him," asked one of the escorts.

Silence pervaded for a moment as the three considered the scene. Then Pharaoh's daughter urged,

"Let's pick the flowers and if no one comes by time we leave, I will take him as my son," She informed.

One of the escorts stayed with the small child while the other two women picked an array of flowers for the palacial event. The sun was bright, and it was a rather warm day in the middle East. Moshe was covered with leaves, and wore a light shirt and shorts obviously homemade.

Speaking soft words, Pharaoh's daughter bent down and spent a few minutes with the child. She told him he would have a new home, and his life would be next to that of a king.

"Let us put the child in the cart and we will all go back the three km to the palace. He will enjoy the ride, and we will enjoy the walk and him as well.

Arriving back to the palace, and making a quick bedroom for him, Pharaoh's daughter then took Moshe to meet her father.

"Dad, I was at the Nile with the servant girls. We found this small child in a basket, adequately cared for, and decided to adopt him as my son.

'Do you have any idea of his age," her father asked.

"I would estimate at least 3-years-old," she said.

"His features look Hebrew, but semitic enough to meld into Egyptian life," He observed.

"It will be your responsibility to see that he is raised properly. I will participate on occasion as well."

"Thank you O Dad and King, may you live long," She expressed with tears and a wide smile.

As the child grew in years and stature, Geberu, Iku, and Harah, were educated servants who spent time schooling the lad in a variety of subjects pertinent to Egyptian culture and society. The king would occasionally engage him in hunting or playing games to further exercise mental capabilities. In time he had a significant role at the palace.

"Moshe, I want you to lead my people out of slavery," Said the Divine voice.
"I am slow of speech and lack leadership abilities. Find someone else," Moshe replied.

"Pick up that bush and watch me turn it into a snake,"

"Now pick up that bush again and watch me change its form again."

"I had you do this to show you my presence will be with you. Your leadership will be known through all generations to come," Informed the Divine voice.

It took several visits to the king to get permission granted to release the thousands of people so they could go find freedom. Eventually the day arrived, and they spent forty years as nomads in the wild.

Nearing the end of his life, Moshe spoke to the second generation of nomads who would enter the promised land.

"I have come from the reeds. I was raised in the Egyptian palace. God has protected me and us all these many years. See to it that you recognize choices made in life for good and obedience will grant peace to your being. My life is nearly over. Yours has just begun."

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Mellow Roc
David Russell