Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Thump (05/30/13)
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TITLE: The Witch's House | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tim Pickl
06/01/13 -
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But I had no idea I would be facing a childhood fear—so evil, so cruel.
When I raised my hand to join the SS Route List I was feeling so blessed;
The Transportation Coordinator came around and handed me the address.
I stared at the paper and I realized where they were sending me--Oh, my—
Thump, tha-thump fear abounded and gripped my heart: I panicked, I cried.
Immediately I knelt and prayed, Dear Lord I am not sure if I can do this.
Blinking through my tears I looked again: this is the dreaded Witch’s House.
Thump, tha-thump, tha-thump … Father, are You sure You want me to go?
As I waited on Jesus for the answer, He answered with peace, His shalom.
Friends gathered round about me and gently laid hands on me and prayed;
Thump… thump… thump… Their genuine love flowed and I was unafraid.
Finally I stood up, and embraced them—now with tears of joy unspeakable.
I went forth confident in The Lord, walking by faith: this is achievable.
The next Sunday I got up very early, prayed and spiritually stood my ground:
I refused to give in to the dogging discouraging spirit—it tried to bring me down.
As I drove to the Witch’s House that childhood fear came back like a flood:
Thump, tha-thump my heart started to race again—it was almost too much.
Mangled white picket fence guarded the Witch’s House, neglected and broken;
Thump, tha-thump, tha-thump I faced that fear and my overwhelming emotion.
I unbuckled my seatbelt and took a deep breath and whispered In Jesus’ Name…
Stepping past strange statues and ducking under gnarly branches unrefrained.
I knocked on the massive wooden door and after a moment she opened it crrreeeeak.
Thump, tha-thump, tha-thump she seemed both terrified and tickled to see me.
Awkward moments at first gave way to a brief introduction then timid laughter;
She was nervous at first, but she trusted me to take her to meet the Pastor.
To my amazement, the Pastor allowed her to read something to the congregation:
It was a testimony packed full of giving glory to God and it’s a great inspiration:
TRUE! After my husband died I became a recluse and hid away in my house.
Living in fear, I triple bolted the doors and I kept the blinds and shades down.
But several Saturdays in a row, there came a gentle man to my bolted door:
Thump, tha-thump… my heart raced every time he knocked—I just ignored.
But relentlessly this man showed up week after week, seeking my audience;
He cared enough for little old me to repeatedly return—that much was obvious.
He knocked again and my heart ran thump tha-thump, tha-thump, tha-thump…
I finally gave in and opened the door—crrreeeeak “Okay what do you want?”
With a hearty “Good Morning!” he lovingly and simply invited me out to church;
I don’t know why but the way he said it touched my soul and my heart stirred.
Thump… thump… thump… my heart slowed down—I felt God’s peace inside;
“Yes” I answered… and to-be-honest I can’t believe that was how I replied.
When the good lady from this great church came to pick me up the first time,
I started to feel afraid thump tha-thump my poor heart worked overtime again:
It was difficult but I opened the door anyway and then to my utter amazement,
I recognized the lady was a little girl who used to throw rocks at my windows!
It seems funny now but since then we have hugged and all has been forgiven;
In fact, she’s agreed to help pay for new windows in the front of my old mansion!
In such a short span of time, my life has changed so much for the better;
Oh, I cannot wait to come to church every time we get to gather!
I want to announce today that I’m giving my house to the ministry:
Do with it what you will, use it as an orphanage or for the elderly.
Finally, I thank God for you Pastor for never, never giving up on me;
Thank you for coming to my door every Saturday, ever so faithfully.
Without your determination to see me born again into God’s kingdom:
I would have died alone in my sins in that old house—the devil’s victim.
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Thanks. God bless~
What a good lesson on not judging someone by appearances and rumors.