The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: rain (10/17/05)
The woman didn't realize it, but a rain cloud was hovering even before she left home that morning.

That she didn't notice had nothing to do with the fact that she was inside of her house. It had everything to do with the fact that at the moment, her mind wasn't focused on the drizzle. Instead, she was wonderfully distracted by the idea that today might just be the day. The day she had waited for, for twelve years!

No, she told herself, not 'might' be the day. Today would be the day; she was certain of it.

She prepared herself to go out, physically and mentally. It took a lot of energy to show her face in public. She was considered unclean and people tended to steer clear of her when she went to town. But she would risk the harsh comments and ridicule and disgusted looks from the townsfolk. Anything she had to endure would be worth being made well again.

Her hope and her faith rose significantly and it began to sprinkle.

***

She saw the hoards of people and her heart leapt. She knew the man who called himself the Son of God had to be at the front of the crowd, although seeing Him was impossible - she was too short to see over the grown men's heads. "I need to touch Him - if only the hem of His garment," she thought to herself, then merged with the thronging crowd, pressing forward with all her might.

And the rain came down a little harder.

***

It seemed like hours had passed. She was tired and sweating and weak but she refused to give up. She had to get to this man they called Jesus. She had heard that He healed hundreds already, most who were worse off than she was. The blind, deaf, lame, even lepers were miraculously cured. Surely He would heal her! She didn't have any more money for doctors. This was her one last hope!

She fell to her knees and inched forward, ignoring the pain of her scraped and bleeding knees and her sore and aching hands as they were stepped on again and again.

As the woman neared Jesus, the rain grew stronger, a steady flow of water from heaven.

***

She saw His sandals first, and then His robe. She concentrated on the hem, reaching her arm out as far as she possibly could to touch it. Dozens of legs and feet got in her way but she pushed and struggled around them until she finally drew close enough.

Slowly, she stretched her hand out and felt the fabric brush against her fingertips.

And the windows of heaven burst open and it poured. The rain came down in torrents and soaked her, washing away the dirt and the grime and the blood. The water cleansed her and made her whole.

And she was healed.

***

The woman went away in peace, lifting her face to the sky, letting the rain continue to pour over her. And she rejoiced and praised the One who had made her well.


"And He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well.'" Mark 5:34

*Based on Mark 5:25-34
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.
This article has been read 1843 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
terri tiffany
10/26/05
What a wonderful way to tell the story! You wrote it well.
Jan Ackerson
10/26/05
This really is beautifully written. One tiny change: I don't think you need the asterisks. The passage of time is not that large between paragraphs, and it's easy to follow your beautiful writing without them. If you wished, you could use transitional words, but really, the story flows very well. A unique POV with beautiful use of the symbolism of rain. Thanks!
Julianne Jones
10/27/05
Beautifully symbolic and very creative. I agree that the asterisks are unnecessary. Overall an extremely well-written piece. Well done.
Karen Ward
10/27/05
I am ever in awe of writers who can do Biblical Fiction! Well written, I especially loved the paragraph about her view of reaching for Jesus: "She saw His sandals first, and then His robe...Dozens of legs and feet got in her way..." Brilliant!
Debbie Sickler
10/27/05
I'm glad you told this story from the woman's pov, it made an old story interesting again. I liked how you said she had to prepare herself to go out both physicaly and mentally. Very insightful.
Anita Neuman
10/28/05
Ooooh, thank you for bringing us into this woman's head. I'll never read that story in the same way. Beautiful!!!
Garnet Miller 
10/28/05
What a great interpretation of the Woman with the issue of blood. Sometimes it feels like we as Christians let our reserves run dry and then we are thirsting after the Master for "just a touch of his garment." Wonderful piece:)
Shari Armstrong 
10/28/05
Well told from her point of view. I wouldn't have thought to have it raining.
Lynda Lee Schab 
10/29/05
Just for clarification, the rain in this piece is completely figurative, not literal. :-)
Pat Guy
10/29/05
Wonderful! Just wonderful! I was right there with her crawling in desperation. (see - you are loved! ;) )
Sally Hanan
10/29/05
"Today would be the day; she was certain of it."
See message boards for further comment..
Amy Michelle Wiley 
10/29/05
I like how you tied rain into the story! :-)
Phyllis Inniss 
10/29/05
Interestingly told and well written. I was wondering about the rain, thinking I hadn't noticed it before. Now I understand its figurative use. Well done.
Linda Watson Owen
10/30/05
Oh, so wonderfully written, putting the reader right in her sandals! I agree, I'll never hear or read the Biblical account now in quite the same way!
Brandi Roberts
10/30/05
Wow! Very well written! I really enjoyed this view of the woman. Thanks for sharing!
Deborah Porter 
11/01/05
Lynda, I'm baaaack! Be encouraged again dear friend. You ranked 11th out of 147 entries. You are definitely an excellent, consistent writer and deserve to be congratulated! Love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)