The Feast is Laid | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: The Feast is Laid | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jesus Puppy
10/12/07
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His torn and ragged clothing did little to keep out the cold, neither did the thread bare jacket he pulled close to stop the rain and wind. Driven to seek shelter in the darkened alley, fearful of those that might chase him off into the storming night.

Cast out by an unloving stepfather, ignored by his own mother and sister, who were fearful of showing love that might cause the man's wrath to fall on them as well. Just passed twelve years old and left to fend for himself in an unknown city.

"Survive or die," the man had shouted, barely slowing the car as he was pushed out into the gutter near a warehouse. Shocked and confused, his life thrown into turmoil, Ben watched helplessly as the only family he knew drove away without another word. So young to be on the streets alone, made to struggle like an unwanted pet, kicked and cursed for wanting attention.

His first day had seen him jumped and beaten by men that reeked of booze and human waste. Hungry and tired, he curled up hidden behind a dumpster, weeping from terror and pain. The next day grew worse as he was run off by store owners for asking help from passers by. Even the police would not listen, seeing him as nothing more than a filthy street punk or runaway not worth their time to take in. By his third day without food he could hardly move to find shelter from the coming storm.

Scarred both inside and out, huddled in the dark as lightning flashed over head, his only protection a soggy piece of card board that did nothing to hold off the rain. Soaked clean to the skin, the cold ate through until he knew life was leaving him. Looking out into the wet night, Ben whispered through chattering teeth.

"Oh God, I am so scared," he cried bitterly. "Won't anyone help me? I just want to go home."

Light flowed from a doorway across the darkened alley, yet the boy had not the will left to be afraid. In his weakness he lowered is head, waiting to be chased off once again as the pain of life slowly drained away from him.

"Benjamin, my child," said a comforting voice, and he looked up to see a Man clothed in shining white. He knelt down and wrapped an arm around the youth, wiped away his tears and lifted him up into the warmth of life. Again He spoke. "The feast is laid ready, come and have fellowship with My saints?"

Ben shook his head in confusion, warmth and peace covered him like a well-known blanket. He rose to his feet and stepped through the door, from the pains of life to a wealth of eternal love and blessing. The table before him was surrounded by people he had never met in his short life, yet each had the familiar face of a loved one. Voices called out, filled with joy at his homecoming, as a place was made for him at the banquet of the Lord.

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