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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: TRUST (07/21/16)
There were secrets that others never knew. If they could have peered into the Jones’ house, the hidden wounds would have been exposed. That never happened.

Regina was driving to fellowship with her sisters in Christ, when on the way she received a spiritual intervention. “If not now, when?” the Holy Spirit whispered in her heart. Was she ready for this huge decision—one with irrevocable impact on her life?

Trust was something she knew too little of, especially at home. She grew up inside a house of shame and pain inflicted by her wicked stepfather, Mark. She vowed to never forgive him for his unspeakable crimes that shattered all hopes of knowing about trust.

It would be a game changer, for sure, to believe in God’s timing, and forgive Mark. Regina felt pains in her stomach as she wrestled, and pleaded with God. She questioned if she truly was ready to trust in his process, yet she knew his timing was always right.

Her mind flashed back to when Mark entered their lives. Memories surged forth as her body remembered his daily cruelties. Everything felt icky.

“No!” Regina cried. Big wells of tears had fallen from her face. “Don’t leave me here,” she pleaded with her evil stepfather. She shivered from fear and dread. Why would he leave me up on the carport roof? She was afraid of heights, and Mark knew it.

He walked away.

Mark left her all alone. She sobbed into her hands and wondered how she would get off the carport roof. It would soon be dark, and she had no way down.

I did nothing wrong. He’s just a big meanie.

In the darkness, she saw his six-foot-three-inch brutish frame come near her—a mere child of five years old.

Mark laughed at how frenzied Regina had worked herself up.

One night, he found crackers stuffed inside the pull-down temperature register next to her top bunk bed. It was her stash of food for the nights she was sent to bed without dinner. Mark was cruel, and her mother felt helpless. She was just as much a victim as Regina and her sisters. The belt whip cracked to signal fear in her heart. She knew what was coming.

Home was not a safe place. How could anyone come from living in a hostile home environment and not have trust issues? It was never taught, displayed, or discussed.

Her last encounter with Mark was the worst. She tried to escape his fists with no success. He blocked her exit and became more violent than ever. If not for her sister Cathy yelling “STOP!” she might not have survived. She was left with shards of glass stuck in her head and neck, and his final vile words, “Don’t tell your mother,” cemented in her heart.

He left the house and Regina’s life. She was 15 years old.

As she continued driving to meet her friends, the Holy Spirit spoke in her heart once more. “You deserve to know of my boundless trust. I will not mislead you Precious One. You will only know peace when you finally let go and forgive. Not for his sake, but for your own.”

Then it happened…so fast. Out of nowhere, God made his move. A flash of light bounced off the windshield of an old-style car—just like one from her childhood.

As she drove past the old car, the Holy Spirit put these words in her mouth, “He can’t hurt me anymore.” Her voice continued to crescendo as she kept repeating these five words until she was speaking so loud that a passing car glanced her way. She had conviction in her heart—and discovered freedom through forgiveness. In that moment, she chose to believe God’s plan and surrendered her hatred toward Mark. She was awed by God’s grace and found peace. She forgave Mark—for her own sanity.

This was the most significant act of forgiveness in Regina’s life. She cried out loud, “God, no fireworks, clanking cymbals, or trumpet blares? I don’t get anything for finally letting go?” She at least expected an ‘Atta girl’ from heaven. Just like at home; no validation… until she felt something unfamiliar.

What she received from God for her bravery was peace—serene, to the core, peace, and complete trust in God’s plans for her life.

At her friend’s house, God winked. The topic was Trust: To Rely Upon Spiritual Transformations.


Nonfiction
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This article has been read 616 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Francie Snell 
07/29/16
This is so powerful and right on topic. I applaud the MC with the victory she had in forgiving the cruelty she received for so long. Stories like this are so inspiring to me. Great Job.
Chris Goglin
07/30/16
Wonderful and challenging story! If Regina could forgive someone of such brutality, we should be able to forgive others of little inconsistencies. It really made me think...and that is a good sign of excellent writing. Great job!
Pat Small
08/02/16
Great job. I loved it.
Terry Lee
08/03/16
A very brave and heartfelt piece of writing! And a beautiful application of theme.

My two cents: On showing vs. telling: You could have left out "wicked" because you already show throughout the piece how wicked this man was. And at times when something, say, "feels icky," instead of telling that, consider showing it with, say, a churning stomach, or a shudder, or something else.

Robyn Harbour
08/11/16
A sad yet powerful story, of trust betrayed and God's grace and forgiveness. Unfortunately this type of story is prolific in our world. I could feel the pain of you as a child. Praise God he has pulled you through to victory.