There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!
Today was going pretty well, a normal day before us. I had done my reading and studying and was just getting ready to do some typing. So I am sat there in the living area and my mind is swilling around with how best to commence when I am aware without seeing, that there is something behind me!
I turn around and see a white van through the kitchen window parked on the gravel outside, I go to the window and crane my neck around but don’t see anybody? I put on my rigger boots and go out of the conservatory, up the side of the house and go out of the gate and see a man loitering around the front. “Can I help you?” I say as I startle the man. He turns and shrugs his shoulders as I draw nearer. He mutters something and points over to a field as he heads back for his van. He is a swarthy looking man and I presume he is an opportunist. Eyeing around for what could be taken easily. I continue forward as he backs toward the van. I was expecting to help someone and now I sense that my presence is enough to see him off. The engine starts as he opens the door, there is someone else driving, “Can I help you?” I repeat as he climbs in and the van sets off!
It would be better to enquire at the neighbours down the road I thought. If he has stopped there they may know them or have been able to talk to him, had they stopped there? I put on my coat and off we go. It’s not far, but the van must have gone past them whether it stopped or not. When I got there I found out it hadn’t stopped there. Maybe my presumption was right, probably thieves looking around to see what is what.
I decided to carry on for a walk with Bertie and ring the owner of the house. Whilst I am on the phone to the lady, we are now on a track between fields merrily trundling along, I hear something different in the near distance, hounds! Pack hounds! Lots of them.
The Hunt
Hunting here is a normal regular occurrence. Not horseback hunting, but groups of men with guns and packs of dogs who hunt for the deer and foxes. I was informed only a couple of days ago that men pay good money and come from all over Europe with their guns and dogs to hunt on these lands. I am a little concerned over Bertie. I have not brought his lead, we had only popped to the neighbours and decided to carry on. What would these bloodthirsty dogs do if they got hold of Bertie, there would be no stopping them that’s for sure!
Their howls are getting ever closer, they sound to be heading straight for us! I am still on the phone to my friend who knows the area and the speed and danger of these hunts and can hear the dogs hunger in their cries. She appeals to me to get Bertie home quickly. I put the phone in my pocket and almost drag poor Bertie down the track.
I see them, the dogs, about thirty of them less than a field away. Running down the same way parallel to us. We will meet as we have to get past them! I stop and turn and run back up the hill under the cover of the hedges. The dogs are howling and scampering down if they see Bertie and turn they could be on us in minutes!
As we get to the top I hear more dogs, coming our way! I think fast, I know that we can’t outrun them, they are way too fast. My only thought as I hear their paws beating along the ground on the track heading toward us. I take off my coat, it’s a good thick coat, I shall wrap poor Bertie in this quickly and when the dogs appear round the corner any second now, I shall hold him aloft out of their reach! How long could I hold them off, until the hunters catch up, I doubted I could.
A different noise came from the first set of dogs, there is a delight in their howls. A harrowing cacophony. The dogs that were heading for us, quickly turn and head down to join them in their pursuits end, a foxes hole, a cornered deer?
We rush back to the house as fast as we can, and I ring my friend to tell her that we are safe.
Scripture
In the New Testament, 7 times Jesus forewarns us that there are those who will be cast out where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 6 times in the gospel of Matthew; 8:12, 13:42, 13:50, 22:13, 24:51 & 25:30 and once in the gospel of Luke 13:28. It sounds a harrowing place to be, to be cast out into the darkness where there is constant weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
Our saviour came to guide and lead us and He is the propitiation for all our sins so that none should falter. Please make sure that you are saved too.
Once we got back, I put the kettle on and had a nice cup of tea and a jam tart and Bertie got a nice juicy bone,
God Bless