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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Help (02/20/06)
"May I use the phone again?"

"Sure," the cashier said, turning back to her customer. It was the Friday before Christmas, a very busy night, and people were in a rush for it to be over.

Debbie dialed a taxi for the third time. She had been told that one was on its way, but it never showed. Beep..Beep..Beep. She closed her eyes, then tried again, only to hear more beeps. Her heart thumped a mile a minute and her stomach began to turn. The receiver shook slightly as she held it. It took ten tries before there was a ring and she had to wait quite awhile before there was an answer.

"Ace Taxi, " the voice spoke.

"Sorry to bother you again, but I have called for a taxi a number of times but no one has shown up. I have a baby and I am loaded down with groceries and I desperately need to get home to my children who are alone."

"The snow has gotten pretty bad, but one should be there in twenty minutes."

Debbie's heart fell. "Thank you."

She had decided that tonight she would finish what was left of the Christmas shopping and to buy enough groceries to last the holidays. Shopping for five children and herself wasn't easy, so she had her twelve year old son babysit the other three children, while she took the youngest- three month old, Jeremiah, with her. What she didn't expect was the heavy snow storm to hit while she was at the mall, leaving her stranded.

Debbie returned to the entrance to watch for the cab, but as the minutes passed, she got colder and so did Jeremiah. She was thankful he was asleep and she hoped with all her strength that he wouldn't wake. She couldn't imagine trying to calm a crying baby, most likely hungry and needing a diaper change on top of everything else.

A man entered, his nose as red as a cherry, looked at Debbie and continued walking. Almost midnight, the store would close any time now. Anxiety turned into fear. What was she going to do? Her children at home would be worried sick.

She went outside to see if there was any sign of the taxi and the wind hit her hard, cutting off her breath, and freezing her skin. Where could it be? Twenty minutes had passed long ago. The store began to empty and she felt so alone and as Jeremiah gave a little cry, she too had tears in her eyes.

Debbie pushed the stroller over to the phone and asked the same cashier if she could use it again. She nodded, but the line was busy. She dialed again, no luck. Finally there was a ring, but the news wasn't good. The dispatcher said that a cab had shown up at the store, but reported that no one was there. Also, because the weather was so bad and it being a busy night, Debbie was told that it might not be possible for another taxi to get there, but the dispatcher told her that she would do her best to get one for her.

Debbie couldn't stop shaking. Getting help was impossible and she couldn't walk home in the blistering storm with a stroller and tons of shopping bags, alone after midnight. The only thing she could do now, was pray. She asked God simply to help her, to get her and Jeremiah home safe, then she snuggled into her jacket and waited.

About five minutes later an elderly woman walked in and looked right at Debbie. "Are you okay? Can I help you?"

Debbie was dumbstruck. She told her what had happened.

"Well, I don't know why I came into this store as I have already done my shopping elsewhere, but I felt that I had to come in. Would you like me to drive you home?"

"Yes, please." Debbie couldn't contain her relief and excitement. She loaded the shopping bags onto the stroller and pushed it out the door and waited for the woman to drive up with her van. When she arrived home, the words came quickly as she told her children what had happened.

"Why didn't you ask, God, first, Mommy? Then you wouldn't have waited so long."

Her daughter was right. She always asked people for help and left prayer as a last resort. From now on she would go to God first.
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This article has been read 1091 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Lynda Schultz 
02/28/06
Excellent story. The punch line was priceless: "Why didn't you ask, God, first, Mommy? Then you wouldn't have waited so long." We all need to learn that lesson. Well done.
Jessica Schmit
03/03/06
I can't believe no one else has left any comments on this article. It's great. The story was easy to follow, had a great messege, awesome moral, incredible writing. All in all-great. I will be shocked if this doesn't place.
Phyllis Inniss 
03/03/06
Wonderful story and message. I felt your anxiety and wondered when your prayer was coming. Yes, out of the mouth of babes....Why didn't you ask God first? Very well told.
Jan Ackerson
03/03/06
I agree with the previous commenters--this is a gem. I suggest that you leave off the last paragraph, though, and end with the wisdom of her daughter. Very nice.
Pat Guy
03/04/06
I agree with Jan - leave off the last two lines for a better impact to a wonderfully GREAT story. Well written, carried us along with all the emotions of the predicament. Great job!
Shari Armstrong 
03/06/06
Too true -we sometimes forget to pray until much later than we should have. Well done -good descriptions.
Marilyn Schnepp 
03/06/06
Congratulations on your 2nd Place Win! Well deserved! It's a beautiful story and written very well. Kudos, my friend,Kudos!
lynn rodgers
03/10/06
great suspence. truely wonderful. i love the little girl.
Katherine Mikshenas
03/14/06
I really enjoyed reading this article. I pictured myself waiting for a taxi in the cold with my daughter because I could not afford a car at the time. I felt like I was right there at the store. Excellent writing! Thank you for your comment on my article, Petals of Hope.

Kathy Mikshenas