Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Dec/96

Contributor - David Jackson

Title - Hat's Incredible Journey

Topic -

In a cold winter not long ago some children created three snowmen with the greatest of care. To one they gave a red scarf, and they called him red; to the next they gave a top hat, and they named him hat; and to the last they gave a pipe, and, well, you know what they called him.

The children expected to be able to play, frolic, and have fun with Pipe, Red, and Hat all through the winter. Imagine their disappointment when Pipe would often refuse to join in the play and stood immovable and sullen. On the other hand, Red was an indecisive Mugwump trying to please both Pipe and the others. When Pipe sulked and wanted to do his thing, Red would pretend to be unhappy to please Pipe. When the children coaxed Red to come and join in the fun again, he would quickly leave Pipe and join Hat and the children. Hat, being a snowman of faith, acted on his knowledge of right and wrong and constantly encouraged Pipe to be more giving and Red to be more decisive.

One warm, sunny day while the children were having lunch, a flying squirrel appeared overhead, and as the startled snowmen watched , he landed on the brown wooden fence bordering the yard. "Fear not, for I bring you good advice from the heavens,' said the squirrel. "You must leave this place for the north at once or you will surely melt in the spring."

'What do you mean we will melt?' said Hat.

"The snowmen before you and the ones before them melted, and you will also if you do not heed this warning. The sun will be brighter, the days longer, the temperature higher, and it will rain instead of snow."

'Wait," said Red, but it was too late, the squirrel had disappeared behind the fence.

'What must we do?' asked Red.

"The only thing we can do,' replied Hat. "Obey and go north!"

Silence filled the air. Finally Pipe spoke up, 'Nonsense, all nonsense. Never have I heard of such things: spring, melting, and going to some far off place called north. For all we know the squirrel could have been making it all up just to scare us."

Then Hat spoke up, "I believe there is truth in the squirrel's tale, for each day lately it has been getting warmer and warmer, and I do believe we have melted some already. We must head north as soon as possible or it will be too late.'

'I partly agree with Hat. Maybe he's right; maybe he's wrong. But I can't take the chance, so at least I'll start out with him and see what happens,' said Red.

With a stubborn know-it-all attitude, Pipe stated, 'You two can believe what you like. I see no reason to go great distances to escape something that will not come to pass. We have had a very pleasant life with the children. I am staying here.'

Try as they might, Hat and Red could do nothing to convince Pipe to go with them. So as soon as it was dusk and the children had gone to bed, Hal armed himself with a garbage can lid and a broom stick, Red did not bother with anything, and Pipe sat there like the lump of snow he was. Hat was sad that Pipe ignored the heavenly message and knew what his end would be. Red was indifferent and really only concerned about himself. Red and Hat bid farewell to Pipe, and they were off.

During the night, Hat had a vision of the path they must take. In the morning, with Hat in the lead, they hurriedly crossed the flat lands to escape the coming heat and reached the foot of a mountain. A path led up the side. The air was already much cooler , and in the high distance, they could see the snow capped mountain, which would be their destination. Meanwhile, Pipe was left alone to melt. The rains came down by night, and the sun shone warmly by day until nothing remained but a puddle and a pipe. Stubborn rebellion led to death and destruction.

By now Hat and Red were well on their way up the mountain. At times they almost lost their footing as the path became steep and ragged. They came to a snow-covered alpine slope, which prompted Red to say, 'Why don't we stay here? It is cold, the snow is deep, and the wind is calm."

"According to my vision,' Hat replied, 'we must reach the top of the mountain."

'Not me," said Red. "I've gone far enough. I don't mind melting a little. I can compromise as long as I don't melt completely.'

'Really!" exclaimed Hat. 'You might as well have stayed with Pipe and melted. Unless you accept the heavenly message and follow the path all the way, you're nothing but a Mr. In-between.

Red was not willing to put any more effort into the journey, so Hat left him behind and continued up the mountain alone. The going became harder and the mountain steeper, but Hat persevered. He had not gone much farther when an avalanche started and snow came sliding down the hill. He pulled his hat over his ears and crouched behind his garbage lid, which protected him from being buried alive. Giving thanks for his helmet of salvation and his shield of faith, he pulled himself out of the snow and continued on his way.

The snow was deep and Hat was weary, so using his broomstick as a crutch, he plodded step by step until he could see his journey's end.

As he reached the summit, Hat pulled himself up straight, and with a thankful heart and with hands lifted up began to sing:

All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside?

Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above.

When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day This my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way. (Fanny J. Crosby)

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