I was agitated all day! I told Mrs Bathfire all about my dream and I told my faithful retainer, “Boy” and they looked at each other in amazement! When I announced that this was proof that God had spoken to Ezekiel, I noticed their amazement rose to incredulity!
Like a child waiting for the Pastor’s sermon, I could not wait for midnight thirty.
At quarter past, I told Mrs Bathfire that I was going out into the garden. Her only response was that it was 22 degrees out there and I would probably catch cold. (I fail to see why God did not give women a little more sense – it’s probably part of His Plan.)
My eyes adjusted to the pitch black after I fell over a rake carelessly left by someone, and I stared at the sky. Imagine my disappointment when it was clouded over! This I recognized immediately as a test of faith. I realized calmness was of the essence. I called “Boy” to bring a comfortable chair, blankets and more brandy and I settled down to watch.
At about 1:30 a.m. I awoke with a start! Once I realized where I was and what I was doing, I saw, above me, a break in the cloud and THE MOON WAS ORANGE!! It was ORANGE, just as I had dreamed! I leapt out of my seat and was about to call Mrs Bathfire and Boy to come and witness this epic and Godly event, when the blankets became entangled in my feet and I fell. My cry of anguish brought Mrs Bathfire running to my side. (Her comments as she came could have been kinder…) I called for her to look at the moon, “Look at the moon!!!” I said.
The idiot woman did not take her eyes from me but said, “Yes Ezekiel, the moon, you won’t see much of it down there!”
I explained that the blankets were round my legs but that this was not important! “Get a camera!!! Take a photo!” I called (knowing that irritating atheists always ask for proof.) Well, that stopped her in her tracks!
“A camera Ezekiel? Why do you want a camera?”
“Gah! Woman! Get a camera and take a photo! Go! I Command you!” (She gave a shrug that some might consider insolent but wandered off back to the house.) I twisted my head round and looked up at the sky – it was still there but the clouds were moving in! I watch carefully and estimated there was about 1 minute left.
“Woman! Get out here with that camera!” I called. All was dark and quiet. I started to struggle with the blankets but they seemed to be caught under the chair. As I was pulling and tugging, I heard a click.
I looked up and there was Mrs Bathfire taking photographs of me!!! Me!!! “The Damn Moon you cretin!” I advised her.
“The Moon?” she asked as if I were mad, “You said to get a camera.”
“Yes, get a camera to photograph the moon.” I sank back.. decades of marriage and what do I get? Someone who has difficulty understanding the simplest concept.
“I’ve got a camera Ezekiel.” She replied, “Where’s the moon?”
“Gah! Damn you! It’s in the firmament, where else would it be? Take a photo.”
I could not believe it! She took a photo of me again!!
“Give it me! Give it me!” I cried.
“You’re not taking a photo of me like this, so you can put that out of your mind. I am in my night clothes. And it is very cold. If you want to freeze yourself, that’s your affair. I told you, you would catch cold, so don’t come running to me when you are sneezing.”
I thought of Job and his patience, calmness was all important. “Could you hand me the camera? I have a rather important photograph to take.”
“Did I hear, ‘Please’?” she said!!!!
Can you believe it? God speaks to you once in a dream and Satan starts to possess everyone around you!
“The camera, Dearest, please!” I said through gritted teeth. She bent down and handed it to me and walked away muttering something. (I also saw Boy for the first time; Darkies are difficult to see in the dark. He raised his eyebrows and followed Mrs Bathfire.)
I twisted back to observe the sky and the clouds had covered the moon giving only a faint glow… but I swear it was orange.
I spent a long time freeing myself, righting the chair and wrapping the torn blankets round me. I then poured myself a stiff brandy and having taken deep restorative draughts, I regret to say, must have fallen asleep again.
God was with me though! It was about 2.30 a.m when I awoke and saw an awesome sight! I know what Moses felt like when he spoke to some combustible shrubbery! The moon was out from the clouds and BLOOD RED!
I called at the top of my voice for Mrs Bathfire and Boy! The house was in darkness – those of little faith had gone to bed. I took the camera and furiously took photos until the batteries failed. There was no doubt that the moon was red! Blood red!
At that moment, you have no idea of the feeling that came over me – God had revealed Himself in all his magnificent glory! A Work of the Greatest Mystery!
The rest of the night was cloudy and very cold but I did catch a glimpse of the moon once it had returned to silver.
I append one of the photos.
They are all the same. Mrs Bathfire had left the lens cap on. You have no idea of my despair. None. You have none at all. I feel like the priests of Baal when their sacrifice failed to light although Elijah’s did. I was as desolate as Pharaoh when all his slaves ran off. Words cannot express my sadness. And I still don’t know what it means.
If you have faith, you will believe me.