Walking in the Master’s Footsteps

Pilgrims’ notes tell us that one day Lua Getsinger was walking with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and some of the friends on the white sands of the sea near ‘Akká.

Lua, it is said, suddenly became aware of the Master’s tracks in the soft sand. She was walking a pace or two behind Him. Quite spontaneously she stepped behind ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and began to trace His footsteps by placing her shoes one at a time in each of His footprints.

It is said that without turning, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said sharply, ‘What are you doing?’

Lua replied cheerily, ‘I am following in your footsteps.’ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was silent for some time. Then He repeated more forcefully, ‘Lua, what are you doing?’ She said, ‘I am following in your footsteps, beloved Master.’ Without a word, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá strode on.

Lua, it is said, felt a chill as she realized the utter futility and presumptuousness of such a weak instrument as herself ever daring to aspire to walk in the footsteps of the ‘Mystery of God’.

Suddenly Lua felt an agonizing pain in her ankle. She looked down. She had been stung by a scorpion. She cried out, but the Master did not turn or slow His stride.

Lua walked on with the utmost difficulty. Her ankle was swelling rapidly. The pain was becoming intense. But she clenched her teeth and forced herself to continue.

When the suffering had become almost unbearable, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá turned and came back. ‘This’, He told her, ‘is what it means to walk in My footsteps.’ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá touched her head gently with His hand. Lua’s eyes were brimming with tears. She understood the lesson. The Master turned and continued on His way, Lua limping after Him as best she could. She felt the pain gradually diminishing as she tried to keep up with her beloved Master.

Source: Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 124.

Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: suffering).

Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/suffering