Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Winter (the season) (08/13/09)
-
TITLE: THROES OF THE TEMPEST | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kathi Mizelle
08/17/09 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Although Carla and Darla are identical twins their personalities are totally opposite. People often tell them, “You’re different as night and day.” Pessimistic Carla sees bad in everything while upbeat Darla finds good in people and things. She wakes up saying, “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Darla’s face always wears a smile while frown lines between Carla’s brows grow deeper.
Carla groans, “I hear Darla coming down the hall. I can already hear her morning weather commentary.”
“Good morning.”
“What’s good about? It’s snowing like crazy.”
Mesmerized by the swirling snow Darla declares, “This is the season when God paints everything gleaming white to make a magnificent winter wonderland. Look! Billions of snowflakes, sparkling like diamond, are falling from the sky and evergreen boughs bend beneath the weight of the snow. Even bare branches covered by frost have the appearance of crystal. Oh, what a beautiful day.”
“There’s a blizzard coming if this keeps up. It’s already the second day of this blasted snow, ”Carla confirms. “I have things to do. NOW I’m stuck in the house.”
Darla notices Thursday, March 1st circled on the calendar, which jogs her memory that her ladies group meets today. “I’d drive you, but I have other obligations.”
“You mean your important ‘holy roller’ meeting?” Carla chides.
“Yes, prayer group. Want to come along? I know they’d be happy to have you.”
“You’re kidding, right? You know I don’t know how to pray.”
“Well, no time like the present to learn.” Darla discloses, knowing her sister’s not interested, yet she’ll keep praying Carla realizes one day that life with Jesus is the best. “I’d better get going. Driving may be hazardous. See you later.”
Frantically the snow swirls as the wind picks up. Carla turns the radio on to check the weather. “Low pressure moving into Oklahoma and Iowa is causing severe storms in Eastern Wisconsin and Northeast Minnesota.” Carla concedes, “I KNEW it... a blizzard’s coming. I hope Darla gets home before it beomes worse.”
******
Darla and her three friends are praying in the college theater. Suddenly four young men burst in waving guns and shouting, “Your money or your lives.” Three of the women freeze in their seats, but Darla realizing an opportunity to witness walks toward the young man who seems to be the leader.
Her friends shout, “NO, Darla. NO,” but noticing her determination they use their special prayer language to sustain her.
Carla extends her hand and whispers, “Give me your gun, Jason.”
Whoa... how does she know my name? We’ve never met? Something’s mighty strange is going on here, Jason thinks. Confusion overtakes him and without warning tears fill his eyes. He quickly hands Darla his gun. The others, watching Jason, also put their guns down.
The women pray with them, sharing Jesus’ love and forgiveness. The young men accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Before going their separate ways they hug each other. Now they’re bound together by Jesus’ love.
******
Snow swirls wildly as Darla brushes her windshield. Driving home she listens to the radio. “The storm’s occurred in two separate waves. East winds reaching 35 MPH, has caused a whiteout situation. Wave two is increasing in intensity.”
Darla makes it home safely. Now the sisters are housebound with the radio giving updates on the storm. “Snow falling at the rate of one to two inches an hour is in its sixth hour. Winds are 40 MPH with frequent gusts 50 to 60 MPH. Zero visibility makes travel impossible. Snowdrifts are 10 to 15 feet high. Frozen spray covers the trees.”
Darla puts their time to good use as she witnesses to her sister. She tells Carla all about the four young men who accepted Jesus. Carla, amazed by her sister’s bravery during a dangerous situation, tells Darla she wants Jesus in her life, too. Carla’s radiant face shines when she follows Darla in the sinner’s prayer.
Afterwards Darla tells her, “Whether we’re enjoying a winter wonderland or facing throes of the tempest, God watches over us. It says in the Bible: Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
“Oh, how wonderful!” Carla glows with newfound happiness.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
There was also a shift in POV in the theater scene that was distracting.
But, some good ideas here... worth a re-write maybe?