Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Year(s) (01/20/11)
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TITLE: Feeding on His Faithfulness | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen McCabe
01/24/11 -
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It took a few seconds for my sleepy brain to catch up with consciousness. A flash of lightning illumined everything in the room, including the small form standing beside my bed. One, two, three, four... A loud clap of thunder roared and rattled the windows. She leapt into my arms the same moment I opened them to scoop her up.
"Of course you can, honey." I nestled her in between us. "Jesus, we ask You to keep us safe from this nasty storm. Amen." A sweet sigh of security and she was asleep. I glanced into the bassinet nearby. The baby didn't seem to be stirring.
All is well.
************
I opened the bedroom door and could see her, scrunched up on her bed, knees to her chest, making what appeared to be a feeble attempt at homework. She looked at me with an insolent look. "What?"
"I thought you might want to talk about it."
"Talk about what?" Her tone was sharp and unwelcoming.
I could tell it would not be the mother-teenager-connecting-and-bonding moment I hoped for.
"About Nancy."
"Mom, there's nothing to talk about. She had kidney disease. She was sick and she died. That's all there is to it. My best friend is gone."
"Well, if you need to talk..."
I paused outside her door. I heard her sobbing voice, "God why did you let this happen - to her - to me?" More sobbing.
"She knows Who to turn to," gave me a feeling of satisfaction.
All is well.
**********
"Mom, it's Katie. The test showed her headaches are caused by an aneurysm in her brain. He said she needs surgery but he wants to run one more test, first. She's only 8 years old and it's almost Christmas. Mom, I'm so scared."
"I'll call the family and the church prayer chain. They'll all be praying for her. Don't worry, honey, God will take care of her. She's in His hands."
"Thanks, Mom. I'll let you know when I hear something."
A few days later, the call came. "Mom, a technician just called from the lab. She said everyone is leaving for the holidays and they didn't get the test results to the doctor in time for him to see them. She said she was putting her job on the line by calling us but she didn't think it was right for us to go through Christmas not knowing. Mom, she said the results were negative. No aneurysm! Thank God."
"Wow, Praise God! He really did a work in her. I'll call everyone and let them know."
"Mom, thank you for being there for us."
All is well.
**********
"God, I must admit I'm scared." I slipped my hand through the sheets to the other side of the bed. "I'm all alone now and an empty house only amplifies the rumbling thunder. I know someone mused, 'Fear is faith in the enemy' and through the years You have kept me and my family safe from his blows. Please speak peace to my shaking spirit. Let me fall asleep in the shelter of Your arms."
The ringing phone pulls me out of my frazzled pleading.
"Mom, are you okay? It's an awful storm and I'm worried about you."
"Oh, honey, it's good to hear your voice. I'm a little scared but I'm fine."
"Mom, you know if you need anything Jim can be there in a flash."
"Yes, I know. I appreciate the offer and it makes me feel better knowing you are thinking about me. God and I will ride out the storm together - like we always have. But thanks for being there for me."
"Mom, you've always been there for me. Now it's my turn."
I hang up the phone and slip into the security of His arms. "Thank you, God, for that word of peace from her. You always answer prayers so perfectly."
And all is well.
Note: Psalms 37:3 "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness." NKJV
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