Sometimes the ways of God are clear.

Sometimes they are translucent.

Sometimes they are opaque.

And what is man to do during the seasons of opacity?

When the divine presence we crave proves elusive.

When our last epiphany fades in our memory and once bright promises threaten to Evaness.

When dreams flicker and darkness threatens, how sturdy are the plans of God?

This is a story about a decision, a choice in the midst of collapsing circumstances to keep going,

to risk believing that God is closer than he seems

and that our faith is more important than we understand.

I'm Justin Gerhardt.

Welcome to Holy Ghost Stories.... The

The Overburdened carts sway and creak beneath the weight of their cargo, their wheels bumping along the road south from Dothan.

Water sloshes in inflated bladders lashed to the sideboards. Jugs of oil and wine clunk against one another, camel's grunt.

And the coarse laughter of Ismailite Traders completes the chaotic symphony.

The Ishmaelites cast out of Abraham's camp and wandering ever since.

Noonday sun flashes off the men's gold earrings as they turn their heads toward the cart with the most valuable merchandise.

Trickier, of course, more hassle than wine or wheat, but a handsome profit if you can locate the right buyer.

Perhaps there is just the one, a serendipitous, find this procurement a crime of opportunity.

Or maybe these traders specialize in this type of trafficking, and their camels pull a few carts loaded with cages,

and the cages loaded with wares.

Inside the bars, a teenage boy, bruised and bloodied,

...