Part II:

Christian Stepfordville

www.ambassadorsforJesus5.com

     Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  ~Matthew 7:13

     Once inside Sarah proceeds to check-in with the security guard.  He was an elderly man with silvery hair and sharp, clear-cut features, and he held an air about him that commanded respect.  

     As he rose from his chair he moved with a swiftness and efficiency that seemed to defy his age, although the aloofness by which he carried himself conveyed personal disinterest. His expressionless face and monotone voice further accented this solemn indifference.  

     After Sarah had answered his direct, curt questions she amused herself by trying to spot a wrinkle in his well-pressed uniform.  It was then that she caught sight of the holster along his waist and realized he was also an officer of the law.  This community appears to spare no expense for the safety of their residents, definitely a perk in her book, although his formidable presence was making her feel uncomfortably self-conscious and somewhat fearful. Sarah attributed it to an unpleasant run-in with the law during a foolish shoplifting incident as a teen. The experience left quite an impact on her youthful, impressionable years, and like a wound that has left a noticeable scar the memory has a tendency to re-surface at the sight of the law.

     With a final, detached look-over from the guard she was given clearance.  Glad to be on her way and equally eager to put some distance between them Sarah let out a sigh of relief and continued down the main, wide road.  Each side was lined with many trees giving it the impression of a vast forest.  Being a nature lover the concept appealed to her and she hoped it was also equipped with a trail where one could walk or ride their bike.   

     Further along Sarah reached housing and discovered the community was made up of several subdivisions.  Each neighborhood was encircled by a brick wall that appeared to serve as a divider.  The height prevented outsiders from getting a good look within, and although she wasn't thrilled with the concept she tried to keep an open mind as she reasoned to herself that at least it afforded some privacy, along with an extra measure of security.

     Up ahead stood a large monument resembling an ancient tower.  In passing Sarah caught sight of the words imprinted along the base.  They read, “United we stand, divided we fall”. How ironic, she told herself while an amused grin played on her face, but her thoughts were interrupted by the increasing awareness of noise resembling the buzz of many bees coming from above her.

     Looking up to see what all the commotion was about Sarah spotted many workers along the telephone and electrical lines. They all seemed to be laughing at some inside joke making her wonder what was so amusing. Recalling the times she had passed by construction sites to find herself subjected to men's leering eyes and appreciative whistles, it occurred to her that she may be the brunt of their joke.  That kind of unwelcomed attention often left her feeling sexually harassed and cheapened instead of admired and valued, and in an effort to avoid them she instinctively picked up her pace, but upon a second look she noticed that they seemed to be engrossed in some large project going on.  It appeared they hadn't even noticed her approach and for that she was thankful.

     Shortly thereafter the road came to a dead end.  Sarah knew if she wanted to get beyond the walls for an inside view she would have to take the time to enter in.  Determined to do just that she made a u-turn and approached the first neighborhood. 

     The exterior wall was freshly painted, although it looked old, contained numerous holes, and was in desperate need of repairs.  "What a shame," she thought aloud, "You would think they would have done something about that in such a nice community," and as she passed through the open gate her expectations were low.   

     Once inside her eyes grew wide as they feasted on the view.  Gasping with a mixture of surprise and delight Sarah could not believe what was before her.  The neighborhood was beautiful and looked picture perfect.  She then continued to cycle through vowing to remember not to judge a book by its cover...

Part III:  Close Encounters