Today

Ten-day writing challenge: Write for five-minutes on the daily word prompt. Today’s word is”today.”

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15)

I wake to the feel of the hard earth beneath me. I stand at the door of my tent and see the vast wilderness stretching from it. I frown, hungry. Ugh. Manna again. I put on the sandals once new, now stained by the squelching mud from the bottom of the Red Sea, grimy from the dust of many miles. They haven’t worn out yet, but how ugly they are!

I sigh as I gather our daily portion of the white, flaky, boring food. I miss fish. I miss wine. I crave fresh-baked bread, hot from the coals.

It’s another plain day. A day of walking, a day of heat and flies. Why are we doing this again?

“Mom, tell me the story of the plagues,” she says. I don’t hear. I’m remembering pomegranates, so sweet on my tongue. She tugs on my sleeve. “Tell me about the crossing of the sea.”

“You’ve heard it a million times,” I say absently. I stare at my manna.

“I want to hear again. Tell me the story about the Promised Land. That’s where we’re going, right?”

“Right.” I sigh.

The sun peeks up from the horizon. Soon the manna will melt away. Soon we will be packing up, heading into another scorcher.

“Mom, look how pretty!” she points to the brilliant pinks and oranges, the flame-tinged clouds, the rays bursting from them into the sky. She dances on the packed dirt, twirling, arms outstretched.

Yep, it’s going to be hot today. I heave one final sigh, swallow the dry mouthful, and turn back to another day of wandering.