Orphan Holiday | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Orphan Holiday | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mary Norman
07/20/07
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Jessie sits quietly at the dining room table listening to the competing voices gradually increasing in volume. Today is Thanksgiving, and a simple prayer last week had prompted her to forego the usual five hour drive home. Instead she had spread the word, inviting the displaced for turkey with all the trimmings at her house. A few of Jessie’s co-workers had shown up, each of them bringing more friends. It was Jessie’s very first “Orphan Holiday”.

A few guests had met before, but most were spending the day making new friends and everyone seemed to be getting along well. The conversation turned to religion when Jessie had asked each of them to explain what they were thankful for, a family tradition that she looked forward to each November.

Paul was the last to go, “I’m thankful I didn’t have time to fly home for the holiday. Spendin’ time with my family is no picnic. Dad starts preachin’ and Mom starts cryin’. They think I am going to hell.” He leans back and laughs “No offense to anyone here of course, but I am from the South. That’s just the way it is.”

Sheila leans forward and looks intently at Paul. Sheila is proud to be a third generation atheist. This is an intriguing revelation from her new friend. “So you were raised to believe in God? How did you escape that? Did you have to go through deprogramming or something?”

“Na,” Paul grinned. “It’s not that I don’t believe in God, it’s just that the whole Jesus thing is a little weird to me.”

That’s when it started, eight people clamoring for the floor to express their views on Christianity.

“Have you ever noticed that a lack of intellect seems to be a requirement for those Bible thumpers?”

“Those people are so closed minded! If you don’t think like them, you are going to burn in some everlasting fire; it’s ridiculous!”

“Whatever it takes to make you believe, right? The crusades? Murder and torture? Unbelievable.”

“They’re all hypocrites anyway.”

“Science disproves it! Come on, Adam and Eve, a snake and an apple?”

Jessie listens in growing disbelief. Some of these people she has known professionally for years but the subject of religion just hadn’t come up. Oh Lord, please don’t make me say anything. I could have handled it one-on-one, but today? You want me to speak up in front of all these people? It’s embarrassing, you know I can’t do it- it’s just not in me. Listen to them, they’ll think I’m nuts!

“I’m one of those people.” Jessie whispers the words she knows God wants her to say.

“What’s that Jessie?” Mike says from the opposite end of the table.

Jessie looks at the now silent faces staring back at her. She sees fear, anger, and hurt in each of their eyes. But in hers she knows there is love, she hopes they can see what she feels inside. As her heart swells, a single tear threatens to fall.

“I’m one of those people. You’re making me sound like a monster; do you really think I’m a monster?”

Each of their faces slowly turns to shock and Jessie can feel God giving her the strength to continue. She stands and looks down at each one of them as her embarrassment gives way to courage. “Some of you have worked with me for years, I think you can agree that I am intelligent, open minded and mentally stable. Well, I am also a Christian. I believe that Jesus is the son of God and that by his grace I have been given eternal life. I’ve been sitting here listening to each of you speaking with such hatred. Well, I walk in Love, Christ’s love. That’s what makes me different; I am a child of God. I only hope that I am an example to you; that not all Christians fit into your stereotype.”

The silence is deafening until Mike jumps up from his chair and sprints to Jessie’s side. “Forgive me?” He asks as he grips her shoulders. “I always knew there was something different about you. And if you are giving God all the credit, then maybe I need to rethink things. Would you talk with me about it some time?”

“How about now?” Jessie walks toward the living room and beckons Mike to follow. The turkey can wait, she thinks and breaths another prayer of Thanksgiving.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.