After the inviting of the Uninvited by the first two people, things became bad. People followed in the pattern set by that one rebellious act. The Landlord had made a promise to eventually restore creation to its original intent (more on that later) and He instructed people on the upkeep and design of their house through a master plan, but most people did not believe what the Landlord said. They began to redesign their houses in ways that they felt were the most expedient to their livelihood. They ignored the plan that the Landlord gave. Why? It is hard to say with certainty. Each person had their reasons I am sure. Most assuredly their reasons are the same as ours. Most just did not like the plan that the Landlord gave. People built for themselves rooms in accordance with their own desires. The game rooms became larger. The bar was more prominently placed and frequently attended to. Family rooms (a prominent room in the Landlord’s design) was either ignored, remodeled, or locked all together.

Study rooms were not used to come to understand the Landlord and His plan (as originally interned), but only to create theories and excuses as to why people no longer referred to the Landlord’s plan. “The Landlord does not really care about our house,” is one excuse that was often given. “It is really His fault for giving us the ability to remodel,” was another. Many would propose new landlords all together. They would say there is a landlord for each of the rooms in the house. There was a landlord of the family room, a landlord of the kitchen, a landlord of the bedroom, etc., etc. Other people excused their new plans saying that their studies show that there is no such thing as a Landlord. “We are all our own Landlord,” is their claim.

There were many who let their entire house go to waste while they spent all their time in the office. Ironically, their lust to rebuild, remodel, and ad-on caused them to neglect the very home they sought to protect and develop. The master bedroom was often defiled by instability and an eclectic design. It no longer resembled what the master bedroom was meant for at all. 

Don’t take this the wrong way (as so many do). It is not as though the Landlord had something against game rooms, bars, offices, bedrooms and the like. My goodness, He is the one who created them in the first place. But being the original Creator, He understands how and how often they are supposed to be used. All of this to say that while the original design had all things in a beautiful balance, the corrupt designs always represented imbalance and neglect. While the Landlord’s master plan lay either on a high shelf collecting dust or in a forgotten corner of the attic, people would look at other plans with great intrigue, lust, and desire, always coveting the plan which they do not have.

There is something else you need to know that might help you understand why people were so quick to ignore the Landlord’s plans. You remember the Uninvited “Intruder” who tempted the first two people to invite Poneros into their house? Well, he was not expelled from creation. He continued as a design consultant. Each day people would receive mail from the Intruder soliciting them to neglect the Landlord’s plan. Here are some examples of the solicitations:

“Turn your family room into a game room overnight!”
“Ten reason’s why the office is the most important room in the house.”
“Have this special guest into your bedroom” (usually included a picture).
“Get a new Landlord who listens.”
“Poneros got you down? Spend more time at the bar.”

All the solicitations are lies and deceptions, but because people’s houses are built out of the same material as the first house, and because of the failures of the first two, all people have this uncanny tendency to listen to these lies. Therefore, people readily invited the Intruder’s friends Greed, Envy, Immorality, and Pride into their home. These all promised a better and more satisfying design, but they always failed. You would think that people would see the failures of the past and the despair that results from the Intruder’s consultation and cease making such foolish decisions, but they don’t. Sadly, we all listen to the Intruder just as the first two inviting all of these guests into our home to remodel.

This was the situation after the first two people listened to the advice of the Intruder and invited Poneros into their home. Did I say earlier that there were “some” who did not follow the Landlords plan? Well, that was an understatement. The situation quickly became so bad that at one point there were only five people on the face of the earth who had designed their homes in the way the Landlord desired. The Landlord was regretful that He ever gave anyone a house in the first place. He destroyed all the houses save five in order to preserve future designs.

Considering these difficulties, one would think that things were out of control for the Landlord, but this is hardly the case. His master plan of restoration was in full effect with a new hope on the horizon.Similar Posts:

• The Uninvited: The Origin of Poneros
• The Uninvited: An Allegory of Evil
• The Uninvited II: Crying and Sadness
• Is Birth Control Sin?
• Are we condemned for the sin of another? (Part 1)

When the Landlord gave the first house to the first two people it says that He created the house with His own breath. The first two people were given their house just as you and I are given ours. They did not ask for it and had nothing to do with its creation. The first house was perfect in every way. The house was situated and built without any defects. The foundation was always secure, and there were no Uninvited guests to be found. Sadness and crying did not even exist. Depression and denial were never heard of. Pain was not even a theory. If Poneros did exist at this time, he was not allowed into the house uninvited. There were no problems whatsoever. The situations was beautiful in every way.

At this time, the Landlord used to visit the house all the time. He would sit with the owners at breakfast and share afternoon tea. There were no doors to the house, since there were no threats from outsiders. All the Landlord asked was that the first two people keep up the house and build rooms on for children. The groceries were plentiful and the joy extreme.

What happened? That is a good question. Most of us would look to such a situation in wonderment and jealousy. What we would give to have such a situation. But Poneros was allowed. Poneros was invited by the first two people. Now, I am sure that they did not fully understand what they were doing when they invited Poneros. They had never heard any of the stories about his destructive capabilities for there were no stories to which they could refer. Poneros was to them a warning. You must understand, Poneros is not really an entity. He is more like a shadow. His substance only exists when another substance is lacking. At least that is the way he was introduced so long ago. But this shadow is infectious. It is like a disease that works its way through situations, hopes, and plans. It is heinous to look at because it, like a black hole, sucks up all the light around it. It prevents all that is good. This is why when he shows up in your living room, fear and dread can overwhelm any situation.

The first two home owners were not in their house long before they invited the Uninvited. As the story goes, someone else was in their house who had already been exposed to Poneros and been infected with the disease.  No one knows why or how this someone gained access to the first two people’s house or why the Landlord allowed him to influence the first two. People have speculated about his previous encounter with Poneros that caused him to hand over his house to its control, but when it comes down to the basic facts, we have very little information. I am sure that there is a history and a tale behind it all that would make for a very interesting read, but we don’t know that tale; we only know ours.

Anyway, this mysterious “intruder” told the first two home owners some glorious lies about Poneros. He said that Poneros just looks bad on the outside, but when invited, he provides much insight and power. He said that Poneros was able to take their current house and make it much like the Landlord’s house (which was even better than theirs). I don’t know why, but the possibility of living in the Landlord’s house intrigued the first two people to such a degree that they believed this mysterious intruder, and, in doing so, suspended their belief in the testimony of the Landlord who had previously told them that Poneros should always remain Uninvited.

Well, they invited Poneros nonetheless. Poneros was then given a key. I don’t think that the first two realized that he would be given this key by the Landlord, but he was either way. This key was not an ordinary key; it was one of the master keys. Master keys can get in any door at any time. That is why Poneros has a key to my house. I did not give him one. I would like to think that I would never have invited him in the first place, but I have seen the destruction in a way that the first two could not have ever foreseen. Therefore, it is hard for me to say what I would have done.

Since then Poneros has been an Uninvited guest in all houses of all time. The stranger in the first house is still active and continues to tell the same lie about the power and insight of Poneros. Even knowing what we know, we still often believe him. This is curious, but is a natural result of the ongoing infection that began so long ago. 

Well, such is the story of how the Uninvited was first invited.Similar Posts:

• The Uninvited: The Corruption
• The Uninvited: An Allegory of Evil
• The Uninvited II: Crying and Sadness
• Webbed Feet on Dry Land: When Pain Seems Meaningless
• Bearing the load: An update on mom

Crying and Sadness are sisters and look very much alike, but they are also different. Let me talk about Sadness for a moment and then move on to Crying. Sadness is most visible when Poneros is in the room. Some people love Sadness and some people hate her. Sadness is not necessarily ugly or pretty and it does not really feel wrong to be with her (like most of the other Uninvited). She, unlike Self-Pity, seems very natural. When you look at her, she resembles the colors of fall. Nothing really stands out, but she has a warm comforting dullness about her. She does not try to convince you of anything or persuade you in any way, she’s just there. In fact, I don’t remember ever hearing her voice at all. But when you are in her presence, it seems right. She somehow helps you to cope with the presence of Poneros. This makes it very tempting to stay with her beyond her ability to help. Again, it is not because she is so attractive, but she is just comfortable. You must understand one thing about Sadness – once she has arrived, if Poneros has done enough destruction, she does not ever leave, she just kinda fades in and out. If things go naturally and people don’t spend to much time with her, she will fade to the point that you only devote attention to her here and there. Even when faded, her presence is felt. In an ironic way she points to the hope of the future when, as the Old Stories go, the keys of Poneros will be taken away.  She also serves as a pleasant reminder of the way the house was before Poneros arrived and the way things will be once he is gone for good.

Now, as I said before, there are some that spend to much time with Sadness and and find themselves being unfenced by some of the more destructive Uninvited like Depression. But there are also those who avoid Sadness all together. This can be very unfortunate because, while one of the Uninvited, Sadness is needed from time to time. She is kind of like sleep. While she does not seem productive in her presence, she does make a positive difference as long as she is not abused. If you avoid her completely, you will end up spending all your time with Hard Heart. And Hard Heart has a reputation of locking many of the doors in your house that bring much joy. He is very destructive.

Now Crying is interesting. Sometimes Crying and Sadness are confused by people. This is easy to do. They are not twins, but they look very much alike. Crying has the same abuses and benefits as Sadness, so I offer the same warnings. Crying is younger than Sadness and does not have the respect that Sadness does.  Crying only shows up with Sadness and makes herself available to aid her sister in what she does. While the need for Sadness can be compared to sleep, I think the best way to compare the need for Crying is the rain. She is very important while Poneros is present, but only in the right amounts. Too much or too little of her are equally destructive. 

I, myself, am not too good at dealing with Crying. While I always recognize the presence of Sadness, I hardly ever see Crying. I don’t really know why. I feel as if I need to find and talk to her, but I don’t find many opportunities. Some people say that it is because I am not really willing to talk to her. I am not really sure. I do know that many times when I have found her in the past I have I tried to talk to her, but almost every time just as I begin to get my words out someone comes around the corner and I quickly act as if I was talking to someone else. I guess I am ashamed to be seen with her. However, the funny thing is when I see other people talking to her, I am compelled to talk to her as well. I just can’t help it. There is another curious thing that happens that I don’t understand. Crying shows up often while I am asleep. In my dreams somehow I am able to talk to her quite a bit. There is no shame and once I finally get started talking in my dreams, all the things that I have been trying so hard to say to her for so long come out all at once. Sometimes this becomes so intense that I wake myself up and I am still talking to her. But by then she has disappeared. I quickly go look for her, but I never can find her. I always feel as if there was so much more I needed to say to her and I wish that she would come back.

Well that is all I have to say about Crying and Sadness, but one thing that I might add. The Old Stories do say that one day both Crying and Sadness will be unavailable. I think that this is connected to taking away the keys from Poneros.Similar Posts:

• The Uninvited: The Origin of Poneros
• The Uninvited: An Allegory of Evil
• She Died of Sadness
• The Uninvited: The Corruption
• Friday Night Odds and Ends

The guest who is the most uninvited is named Poneros. In English, he is simply called Evil. Poneros never knocks or rings the bell. He is just suddenly there, inexpediently showing his hideous face. Day or night, he does not have consistency. Sometimes he is there when I get home, sometimes it is when I wake up, other times he shows up in my children’s bedroom. The other day he showed up while I was eating breakfast. How does he get in you ask? Well, he has a key. I did not give him one as I don’t have keys to my house, just the ability to open or deny presence to those who knock. The Landlord gives him a key and I don’t know why. In fact, that is a great discussion that we often have in my house. We theorize why the Landlord gives Poneros a key. It just does not make sense. Either way, he has one and he comes in at the most inopportune times.

You must understand how difficult Poneros makes things around the house. He rearranges furniture and sometimes remodels homes. This is so upsetting. We work hard to make our homes comfortable. We become used to the way things are. For me, I like things to be “normal.” When I get up in the morning, I want no unnecessary surprises. I want to get up, read the paper, have my coffee, take a shower, etc. in the exact same way that I did the previous day. But Poneros will have none of that. When he is present, nothing stays the same. It makes me very sad. Things that I have grown so accustomed to change the moment he shows up. The entire house is remodeled and things are not where they are supposed to be. It is not just that Poneros wreaks havoc on people’s daily routine, but it is also the way he does it. I know people who have had him lock the bedroom doors to children, never to be opened again. I also know those who have woken up only to have their spouse unable to speak anymore.

Since I cannot make him leave, I attempt to do what I can to cope with the situation. Always, when Poneros shows up you can expect many knocks at the door to follow. Most of those who show up have to be let in by me, but some are let in by Poneros.

The first one who normally comes is a familiar face named Panic. Panic shows up immediately after Poneros. Sometimes I will let him in, but more often I won’t. Every time I have let Panic in, he attacks Poneros, which seems to be a good thing, but he eventually loses. When this happens, the house is a bigger disaster than it was before. Panic, as easy as it is to let him in, is not helpful.

When I don’t let Panic in, there is another guest who comes immediately after. His name is Denial. Denial is more attractive because he helps people to avoid Poneros. Instead of recognizing the presence of Poneros, Denial encourages people to never enter into his presence. If Poneros is in the living room, Denial says to go to the Den. If Poneros is in the den, then Denial leads upstairs. He usually leads me to my office. My office has been a nice shelter. Up until now Poneros has not come in for some reason. The problem, however, with listening to the advice of Denial is that, while his words and encouragement seem wise, he really, like Panic, makes things worse. If I am not in the presence of Poneros at all times, he destroys my house even more. Therefore, I try not to let Denial in either.

After Poneros has been in the house for a while others begin to knock. The first is Self-Pity. Self-Pity is really kind. She really seems to have insight and deep sympathetic understanding. She will make you feel as if you are the only person who has ever experienced the presence of Poneros, or at least the only one upon whom he has been so destructive. If you lay your head on her shoulder, she will just run her hands through your hair and say, “This is so sad” over and over again. Self-Pity has children: Bitterness and Anger. Bitterness will encourage you, as you are being stroked by his mother, to listen to his brother Anger. Anger will tell you that it is everyone’s fault that Poneros is in your house. Once you are convinced of this, you don’t let anyone in the door at all. Anger and Bitterness cause you to feel better for a time. They are very easy to listen to, but that is only because of the strokes of their mother. In the end, however, none of these help the situation as Poneros is still present and has not been dealt with.

Sometimes, during these events, you can expect another Uninvited guest named Depression. Depression has no beauty or enticing words, but there is something about him that lures people. I think that it is because of his familiarity and his ability to work so closely with all the other Uninvited. Depression will agree with Self-Pity and will give Panic some back up. He tells people that Poneros is not going to leave. He also says that all the rearranging is permanent. He believes that the difficulty brought about is one that is too much for anyone to bear. He requires that all doors and windows be locked and that any routine to which you are attempting to return is foolish. Most of the time, Depression requires that you stay locked up in your bedroom. If people knock at the door, Depression says, “Don’t answer…there is no use. The person whom they want to see no longer exists and will never be back.” Somehow Depression is so convincing. It is like he really knows what he is talking about. Even when you have caught Depression in lies and deception, he is able to convince you that he is not lying this time. And that is all it takes.

More on the Uninvited later.Similar Posts:

• The Uninvited: The Origin of Poneros
• The Uninvited II: Crying and Sadness
• The Uninvited: The Corruption
• Friday Night Odds and Ends
• For Those Considering Suicide . . . (2)