something I wrote a few months and posted on a blog but I think it got no readers. Autobiographical? Hmm, maybe 20%, and the 80% wouldn't be surprised to know of others' experiences that could be autobiographical.

The Dreamer was too young and had yet to know much of a world beyond the boundaries established by the missionary workers a century or so before the Dreamer's birth. His ignorance and weakness give him a pass because he was simply ill-equipped to recognize the tactics of emotional and psychological manipulation used by elders, who in this dreamer's dream played father and uncle. And while it is acknowledged that these two persons inflicted much suffering upon those they believed the Lord placed beneath them in a rigid authoritarian hierarchy, they too had little choice, as they too were born into the system of manipulation; not uncommon to undergo influence from the previous generation who had survived economic depression, which had been widespread. Conveniences and luxuries... well, conveniences were not but luxuries; convenience and luxury were not openly spoken of as goals a righteous person aspired towards. On the contrary, they were hazards to be given critical careful observance. Compared to the dictatorial persuasions of their elders which in fairness to their turn was not their fault, the elders over the dreamer might appear as downright anarchistic hedonists. Nonetheless, compassion towards their upbringing, and the springing of empathy when understanding the seeding of those times, did not discount the fact that, in like manner as psychological damage was inflicted upon them, did they inflict psychological damage upon this dreamer, especially as this dreamer had now come to a critical phase of life that would play a large role in setting the tone for many if not all the years to follow.

So the Dreamer could not understand why attempts to fall asleep in peace were fraught with disturbance. All he had done was mention an honest sentiment of a fascination with earthly lands known as the Far East. Such an innocent mention aroused the righteous knowledge of these elder men, primarily the uncle. For the uncle had direct access to the Lord's heavenly throne, and no man or woman on earth could come close to knowing what the Lord knew, for the Lord was omniscient. Omniscient meant all-knowing. How else could Uncle Theo know to talk of the distinction between East and West? God sent their ancestors westward, not eastward. These ancestors were anointed by God to establish not Eastern Civilization but Western Civilization. Even the natives the ancestors had eradicated... their origins were from Eastern lands, not Western. The Lord never makes mistakes in guiding His children's actions. All the native practices were thoroughly demonic. How could they not be demonic? They had not the Word of God. Whatever does not align with the Word of God must align with the demonic. So on and so forth was the Dreamer counseled, the elders calling it 'loving rebuke'.

And now with the hour for slumber the Dreamer's thoughts were not calm and knew not a peace that might be beyond human understanding. Why did it seem that each time he found something to give interest towards, the elders in his life spoke discouraging words? Warned about the demonic element. The Dreamer knew of no other people to share his desires and dreams with; had been indoctrinated to see them as the most trustworthy, because they were closest to the Lord, and the Lord would never mislead those who had given their hearts to Him.

The dreamer had visited someone, a kindhearted lady. She noted his interest in the black narrow box on her bookshelf. She had retrieved it and let the dreamer see that the narrow black box was not entirely black but bore gold and silver etchings that depicted what looked like a crashing ocean wave and spindly limbs. It was a box for chopsticks. She lit up and gladly allowed the dreamer to take the chopsticks into his hands; she opened the box so he could touch the chopsticks. She did not really know the proper way to hold them.

Her deceased husband had been stationed in that land and brought home this box of chopsticks, along with a couple lifetimes of memories; not to mention an incurable obsession with Asia. This was long ago. She'd come to be all but oblivious to the presence of the chopsticks box.

She invited the Dreamer to take the box of chopsticks. She had no need of them.

"I would love to, but I can't."

Her countenance that could not find or comprehend adequate words for reply caused the dreamer to redden and turn his gaze into a flurry of darts dancing all over the carpet.

"It is hard to explain. It is not me, but it is the family. They... they might command me to get rid..."

"Why on earth would anyone command... they are just chopsticks."

"I see you will find the truth hard to believe. I do thank you for your generosity."

Now the dreamer departed and instead of carrying the box of chopsticks, he carried concerns. Apparently this woman was not a believer in the Lord; not in the way father and uncle would approve of; perhaps a unity or progressive or liberal believer, and the dreamer had been thoroughly indoctrinated about those dangerous beliefs; no better than witchcraft; in fact, these liberalized churches had opened the doors for witchcraft to come in and infect weak believers.

Well now the Dreamer had two new ideas to do spiritual battle with: for one, the lady was very kind, open, and obviously intelligent. For the second, he could not shake the feeling from the artwork, which evoked a feeling of tranquility or something. It was a feeling that seemed to invite his truest inner self to come closer; eat of this new tree, for the fruit was pleasant for the visual beholding; tasting it must verify this... truth? Dare the dreamer fondle that prospect?

At the end of the day the question was irrelevant, because the Dreamer indeed did fondle the prospect. The elders appointed as authorities over the Dreamer were geniuses in detecting changes in demeanor of others, especially those the holy hierarchy placed beneath them. Upon returning to the home base territory the Dreamer was not able to keep secret what he had fondled. Had to confess. Told of the box of chopsticks, namely the beautiful artwork, which did not at all appear demonic. Nor did the lady, though she did not openly profess Christ during their interaction... she did not seem Satanic. Could not be a practitioner of witchcraft.

"You were wise to listen to the Holy Spirit prompting. We do not need to wonder if the Spirit sought to steer you from accepting that gift, because the Spirit of the Lord would do nothing else."

The Enemy was obviously using the outward-appearance of kindness to tempt the dreamer to accept the gift; no graver danger could a young believer flirt with than to forget there was only one true gift: the gift of Christ and the Cross, and Christ's subsequent resurrection.

"You have been stricken with lust for the exotic. This places you in grave danger of making an idol out of a geographic location which your feet have never touched, and should never touch unless directed by the Lord for the purpose of preaching His gospel."

Father and Uncle took their young Dreamer to the special room for prayer and they laid hands upon the dreamer and prayed, according to the confession; and they interrogated the dreamer to see if demons from the exotic chopsticks might've taken hold.

"We must be ever vigilant in keeping this house free from demonic presence. This is not to accuse you, for you are young, and the devil indeed keeps his sights on youth. Yet your father and myself, having known the Lord for these many years, who have worn the armor and have engaged in so many spiritual battles against this enemy, well, let's say the devil would like nothing more than to capture us as much as you."

Uncle Theo added, "I have also received a word from the Spirit. She who offered you the chopsticks does indeed practice witchcraft. Therefore you must never enter that doorway again, unless she makes it known she had repented."

"Witchcraft?"

"Spirit is telling me... not only is she a witch but she works directly with high priests. She is here not just to enjoy the mild climate and driving-distance proximity to the coast, but she is here to do the devil's work, which is to act as ambassador for Satan."

…and that's as far as this one got when I wrote it. Maybe work on it some more someday.