Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Purposefulness (Purpose in Life) (05/25/06)
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TITLE: An Open Heart | Previous Challenge Entry
By Rita Garcia
05/31/06 -
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“Peace, peace, God’s peace. Peace that can pardon and cleanse within.”
The white walls were familiar, with their wallpaper border of playful roosters. Handmade red gingham curtains hung at the windows. Gleaming and spotless, this was her domain.
“Mornin’ grandma. I’ve always felt His peace around you.”
“I actually have a recipe for peace. I’ll share it with you someday. Peace is something we have to pursue, like a beautiful young girl that catches your eye.”
“There’s that glint in your eye, grandma. Is that a hint?”
“Well, is there anyone special?”
“I just can’t seem to find anyone to compare with my favorite girl.” I leaned over and placed a kiss on her wrinkled cheek.
“Tell me Danny, how are your studies coming along?”
“They’re coming, grandma, I just haven’t quite got a handle on a firm direction. Mom wants me to bring back some items she says are in the attic.”
“Oh how I love an excuse to go and prowl through all the junk in the attic. Let me put these few things in the dishwasher and we’ll get started.”
“That was a delicious breakfast, grandma.”
“Grandma did you have the groans of each step and the creak of the attic door put in as special effects?”
“You watch too many movies.” She said as she laughed me.
“Wow, look at all this stuff,” I said.
“It’s my room of memories. That’s why I love coming up here. There’s not much anyone would find useful.”
“What’s in this big old steamer trunk?”
“It holds all the things I saved of your grandfather’s.”
I lifted the heavy lid. “It’s packed to the brim. What’s this? It looks like a fireman’s uniform?”
“It’s from when your grandfather was a fireman. I’m sure you’ve heard the story before.”
“I know that is how he was injured,” I said.
“He was called to a fire over on Elm Street - the old Miller place. The house was a roaring inferno. Your grandfather, hearing the hysterics of Mrs. Miller that her baby was still inside, went into that blazing fire and crawled out with her baby daughter. His leg was on fire, but he sheltered and protected the baby with his body. You know the rest. He lost his leg from the knee down.”
“Did he ever regret going back in? I mean I know how heroic it was saving the baby, but losing his leg?”
“I never heard a word of regret in all our years together. I don’t believe he harbored any regrets for one minute giving his leg to save that baby.”
“Is it why he became a minister?” I said.
“No, I don’t think it was the reason, but maybe spurred it on. Your grandpa knew he was called to preach from a young age. And before you ask, I don’t think it was God’s way of prompting him to becoming a preacher.”
“What finally persuaded him to become a preacher?”
“The way I see it, as he was healing from his injuries, he had a lot of time to think things over. He spent hours each day with his Bible, and in prayer. He opened his heart to God’s direction in his life. One day out of the blue, he asked me, ‘Lizzy, how would you feel about being married to a preacher?’”
“How did you feel about it, grandma?”
“I was overjoyed. I knew he had been ignoring God’s call. What’s that old saying? The proof is in the pudding? I’ve never seen a more satisfied man. He had a gift for helping others, and God abundantly blessed his ministry. The church office became his second home.”
“Did that bother you, grandma?”
“He was called to the ministry, and God, in his infinite wisdom, placed the desire in me to work right along side of him.”
I bowed my head to hide my tears, knowing the feel of God’s calling on my life. But that’s another story for another time.
*****
Based on a true story
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I loved that Danny was called to preach like his grandpa, and wondered if the baby grandpa saved my end up being Danny's wife! Great writing! Kate~