Chapter 10 Summary

The chapter begins with Much-Afraid climbing the precipice with her companions. Much-Afraid found being secured to her companions by rope very reassuring and was thankful for the help of the cordial of the Spirit of Grace and Comfort. At one point Much-Afraid had to wait in a crevice in the rock while Sorrow found the way forward, and as she looked down she saw all five of her enemies at the bottom of the precipice, too far away to reach her. Then they kept climbing higher and Much-Afraid was relieved to find that no part of the climb was too difficult for her with her companions before and behind her. Just as darkness fell, they arrived at a narrow bridge which brought them to their resting place for the night. In the morning, Much-Afraid found a small red flower growing in the cave and after asking its name, learned that it was called “Bearing-the-Cost”. Much-Afraid realized that this was the next letter in the alphabet of Love that the Shepherd instructed her to begin practicing as soon as she learned it. A rock fell from beside the flower and Much-Afraid added it to the other seven stones in her purse. Then Much-Afraid and her companions continued their climb upward. During this climb Much-Afraid tripped and cut her knees badly. Sorrow and Suffering kept her from falling over the edge with their ropes but near-fall caused Much-Afraid to panic. She was too overwhelmed to give herself the cordial, so Sorrow took the cordial and poured a few drops into Much-Afraid’s mouth. After this Much-Afraid was able to continue the climb and Sorrow shortened the rope so that she could take Much-Afraid’s hand as they began to climb again. Much-Afraid was moving very slowly and they needed to move faster to make it to the top before nightfall. Suffering asked Much-Afraid about what she was doing that morning when she left the cave and Much-Afraid told her about the flower she found, and was reminded of her call to bear the cost. Then she had the idea to add some cordial to her knees where they were cut, and this helped to stop the bleeding and allow her to move faster up the mountain. They reached the top of the ascent by late afternoon and sat down. They heard a voice singing and then saw the Shepherd walking towards them.

Chapter 10 Thoughts

The climb that almost made Much-Afraid give up and that she thought would be impossible ended up being another protection against her enemies. Her enemies looked up at her from the ground but were not willing or able to take the risk of climbing after her, all they could do was throw a rock that didn’t quite reach her. In the moment that she saw her enemies on the ground, Much-Afraid was thankful for the very thing that almost caused her to give up. Much-Afraid also found that the climb was not impossible after all, because with Sorrow tied to her front and Suffering tied to her back they showed her where to climb and kept her from falling. Once again, we see that Sorrow and Suffering keep Much-Afraid safe from her enemies and on the path the Shepherd wants her to be. Then we also see Sorrow and Suffering protect her from falling because their ropes were tied to Much-Afraid when she trips and injures herself.

The feeling of almost falling off the side of the rocks causes Much-Afraid to panic and crouch down as she cries out to Sorrow and Suffering that she is afraid of falling. Sorrow and Suffering respond immediately. Sorrow tightened the rope and came close to Much-Afraid as Suffering placed her arms around her and urged her to drink the cordial the Shepherd gave her. But Much-Afraid told Suffering that she was too afraid to move, so Suffering took the cordial and poured some into Much-Afraid’s mouth. Much-Afraid felt better but still could not move, so she took a bit more cordial and felt strengthened enough to move.

It stands out to me that Much-Afraid called out to her companions to let them know she was afraid, because this is the first time she verbally asks them for help. Then when Much-Afraid was too afraid to move, she needed Suffering’s help to get to the point where she could take the cordial herself and be strengthened.

The climb becomes much harder and slower after this injury because it’s painful for Much-Afraid to move. Yet again, Much-Afraid needs the help of Suffering to remind her of the “Bearing-the-Cross” flower she found in the cave and that she is not putting into practice this letter of the alphabet of Love. With this reminder, Much-Afraid has the idea to put the cordial on her knees where they are cut. The cordial immediately stops the bleeding on her knees and takes away the worst of the pain. This helps Much-Afraid climb faster and helps them reach the top before sundown.

The cordial of the Spirit of Grace and Comfort is a representation of the Holy Spirit. We have been gifted with the Holy Spirit in the physical absence of Christ. When we don’t have strength to pray, or we don’t know what to do, the Holy Spirit is there to help us. But it is not automatic, just like Much-Afraid had to actively pour the cordial into her mouth or onto her knees, we need to turn to the Holy Spirit and seek His help.

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

Romans 8:26

What can you seek the Holy Spirit for today, this month, or as you look at this new year we have just begun?

Much-Afraid still has several lessons to learn on her journey to the High Places and I look forward to continuing this journey with you.

-Nadine

Hinds Feet on High Places Summary and Thoughts - Chapter10

Hinds Feet on High Places Summary and Thoughts - Chapter 9