Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Before and After (05/14/09)
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TITLE: The Day After | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ruth DESBOROUGH
05/21/09 -
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“O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth for ever.”
Sharon slipped quietly out of bed. She did not want to wake David, so she tiptoed to the window. Gingerly she reached for the corner of the curtain so that she could peep outside.
They had hardly slept through the night as a terrible storm had raged outside. At times it had felt as if the house itself would be blown away. They had hugged each other tightly and cried out to the Lord for protection. It seemed as if they were afraid and yet at peace at the same time.
Now all was quiet. David had fallen asleep, but Sharon was wide awake and anxious to see what the storm had left behind. What devastation would she see. What had happened outside, and what about their beautiful garden, and beyond that the apple orchard.
As she hesitated by the drawn curtain she pictured their beautiful garden as it had been just yesterday. There were tall sunflowers, looking so stately and some lovely red and yellow roses. Colourful dahlias and yellow and white daisies filled the flower beds. Delicate pansies looked heavenward. The rock garden in the corner had a variety of little shrubs and flowering plants. In the middle of the garden was an old fashioned sundial they had found in a second hand store. A lily pond with gold fish completed the picture and couple of shade trees added to the beauty of the garden.
Almost afraid to look, she pulled the curtain just enough to see outside. What she saw sent a shudder through her body. Branches of trees, crushed flowers and huge puddles of water greeted her eyes. Nothing had been spared. Even the sundial had not survived the fury of the wind. Then she looked away toward the orchard. To her dismay it seemed that all the trees had been damaged, and many of them were down on the ground.
Tears filled her eyes. David had worked so hard in the orchard and the fruit was to have helped in paying off the mortgage on the house.
She felt a hand on her shoulder, as David joined her at the window. For a while no words passed between them. They were overcome by the destruction from the storm.
Sharon spoke first. “We have each other David. The Lord did answer our prayers and keep us safe. Its a miracle the house is O.K. We can start again and build another garden. Let’s give Him thanks for each other, for our home and for His loving protection.”
Hand in hand they knelt by the bedside and somewhat tearfully they thanked the Lord for keeping them safe and for protecting their home. Then they asked Him for wisdom and for provision in the days ahead.
They went back to the window, and as they looked across the landscape they saw a most beautiful rainbow in the sky. It was as if the Lord was making a promise to them that all would be well; that there was hope; that He would be with them. He would restore.
A smile lit their faces. All was not lost!
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