A Closer Walk

“Ain’t been treated so fine today, have you, Preacher? Well, that’s what we think of folks pestering with other folks’ business.” -Ault Allen

When you’re mistreated, forgive. The schoolhouse has been burned from fire. Presumably the fire was from the Pilot episode. Although this is the fourth episode of the season it appears to have been aired out of order, but even the episode production numbers don’t match correctly. At any rate it’s not a huge deal concerning the story. When Ault Allen refuses to finish his job in helping rebuild the schoolhouse he let’s pride get in his way. He tends to see David as an overlord and feels he’s already done his fair share. As Miss Alice explains, even David himself hasn’t learned his lesson from the pulpit. Just like Ault, David is full of pride and stuck in his own ways. Someone has to give way, to show the way. It’s not an act of weakness but an act of humility, honor and leadership. That’s one of the hardest things you can do. To apologize, and to lead as an example. So with God’s help, some way, somehow, both of you can come out on the better end of it.

The women of the cove often gather together for sewing, news, singing hymns, Bible reading and more. Since Christy was so new she was brought to meet the women and oldest resident of the cove, Aunt Polly Teague, who is nearabouts 93. Sewing then was a necessity to stay warm during the winter. Today it’s mainly seen as an art form. Some people make them for a specific design and others just to stay warm or keep busy. My family here in Tennessee created patchwork quilts many years ago and I have been using them for decades ever since they were created. They’re a form of reused scrap cloth of various colors all pieced together to make a quilt. It was Christy’s idea for the ladies to use their heritage to their advantage and start selling their quilts. But to her dismay, the idea was abruptly shot down.

Fairlight invites Christy over to show her the sourwood honey her husband Jeb makes. Just like everything else she puts a lot of thought and time into things, especially her quilts. Deep down Christy realizes Fairlight has made great strides in helping her whether it be giving her hope after Bird’s-Eye’s rebellion or her friendship. Christy wants to show her appreciation in anyway that she can by helping her. If you’re reading this it’s probably something you take for granted. Fairlight wants to read. There are hundreds if not thousands of things we take for granted every minute of each day. Christy is going to teach Fairlight how to read by giving her the lessons she needs to better connect with her educated children.

Later that night at the mission it became apparent that their prized horse Prince, had been ruthlessly body clipped by Ault. The horse’s mange and hairs were pulled out in an unsightly manner, hairs plucked and worst of all his tail had been cut off. He looked pathetic and out of all the children Sam Houston was the most devastated. Pride can turn into anger, and tumble like dominoes hurting innocent bystanders. Generally those with pride don’t care whether you get hurt, especially emotionally.

Whenever a man in the cove needs help clearing out land its the custom for everyone to help. This time Ault needs the helping hand, not David. Ault visits the mission and invites him to a land clearing. Instead of refusing Ault’s offer David swallows his pride and attends those who are helping in the large task of clearing brush in the woods. With blistered hands David eats his meal amidst Ault and his buddies. They tell everyone threatening tall tales about preachers. It’s just enough to agitate David to leave lunch and continue working.

He begins removing a tree stump and in Ault’s anger he shoots in David’s direction narrowly missing him by inches. The entire group is standing behind Ault’s back and David stands fearlessly. He reloads and David doesn’t flinch again nor with any anger. It’s my belief, that David finally sees he’s helping his fellow neighbor, his enemy. He’s in front of dozens of people and at that point it’s up to God whether he lives or dies. David’s just trying to lose a little of his pride and show Ault he’s genuinely there to help. He’s exhausted and just had enough of the whole situation. Ault raises his arm to take a second shot. However he slowly lowers his gun and walks off in shame. Without fury or commotion David continues his part of the job.

He’s the last man there until nightfall and has worked so much he has bloody hands. Christy insists that he quit. I’ve cut trees, limbs, logs, stacked wood piles, removed brush, limbs and more. I know that feeling when you’re close to getting done, you want to just go ahead and finish it. There’s also a sense of accomplishment you feel when it’s all done too. David was probably going for a little of that but most of all letting off his steam from his encounter with Ault. It’s the perfect job to do so. When you hit the hay in the evenings it’s one of the best feelings and exhaustive feelings in the world. For Cutter Gap it has an extra topping of anxiety.

Dr. MacNeill comes to treat David’s hands and gets word that Aunt Polly is nearing the end of her life. The Dr. has came to the same prognosis. She insists on a visit from Christy and the preacher, David. She wants to know what will happen to her when she dies, and she only wants to know what he understands as fact. At the time, David eluded that we don’t know for sure and that scripture in the Bible is a little confusing. He explains we go into a state of unconsciousness and are raised up on the last day. To her, this wasn’t a fact that she believed. Even David has some doubts himself. I think all of us would be lying if we weren’t just a little afraid of dying. Primarily because this physical mortal body is all we’ve ever known, and most of all we lack the complete and perfect faith to believe that God will do as He’s promised.

Without knowing what to do for Aunt Polly, David decides to resign from the pulpit because he sees himself as a fool and a coward. He wallows in self pity. He tells Christy she has it so easy because she only has to teach. He explains he must nurture their souls and wants respect. We can all point fingers at David. But oh how incredibly difficult it must be to see the big picture in such dire circumstances if you are going through it yourself. You’ve left your normal life to help those who need help and they don’t want it. You literally put your life on the line, seemingly for nothing in a small secluded cove. You often see feuding and poverty is always in sight. For all of your hard work you get no respect for trying to help.

Out of all the women in the cove Fairlight eventually takes Christy’s offer into account of selling quilts. She gives her the prized quilt she designed from inspiration of the stars at night. She decided her children’s need of shoes and clothing were more important than her own pride in the quality of her work. David doesn’t grant Aunt Polly Teague’s request for a visit. Instead Miss Alice goes and helps Aunt Polly choose her clothes for her burial. Having to make the decision to not visit her has to be one of the most difficult dilemmas you could ever be in. You could see it in David’s face.

Sam Houston and Ruby Mae pay a visit to David Grantland. He reluctantly walks out onto the porch and with great surprise he sees all of the schoolchildren waiting for him on the hill. It was all Sam Houston’s idea. With the help of Christy and the other children they used creative ideas to make use of what little they have. They present him with a watch fob to hang his watch on. They were made from Prince’s shaven hair and the children are intent on selling watch fobs to those in the city. The children show him love and by accepting it, he realizes where his fault lies. It was within himself all along.

With his change of heart he hurriedly heads over to visit Aunt Polly Teague. He finally threw away his pride in her final hours and gave her comfort. Their A cappella of “Oh, You Beautiful Doll” was the highlight of their final visit. He’s come to the realization that preachers have things to learn too because they don’t know it all. Neither do we. A closer walk with God will give us the strength and humility to erase the pride that all men face.