Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: THANKFUL (11/14/19)
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TITLE: Celebration | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marlene Custer
11/19/19 -
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Mara set his milk down on the table and brushed his hair back as tears threatened to spill from his eyes. “Sanballot continues to jeer and make threats. We must keep praying. God is our Protector.”
Lemuel sighed deeply. “Is a wall really necessary around Jerusalem? I want Papa to be safe.”
“A wall will keep us all safer,” Mara said as she picked up Lemuel’s little sister. His eyes focused on her, as he listened intently. “The wall has been in ruins for more than a century. It is needed to protect the Temple as well as our citizens. We do not want to be a disgrace to our God.”
Lemuel finished his bread and honey and drank the last of his goat’s milk. Being almost eleven years of age he was struggling between manhood and boyhood. “I will clean the sheep pen today.”
Lemuel worked steadily listening for the sound of a trumpet that would signal the approach of the enemy. He stopped once and leaned on the rake, trying to remember all papa’s instructions before he left. As he distributed new straw in the pen, he quoted softly from Psalm 56, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”
He worked late into evening, taking time to feed the sheep and goats before going in for supper. Mama had made a delicious stew, but Lemuel could eat only a little. Papa had not come home. Before going to bed, Mama quietly sung Psalms. Though this quieted his spirit somewhat, he slept restlessly, waking up once to sob into his blanket. The governor’s words ran through his mind. “Remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your families and homes.”
Then the words that Mama had sung came to mind again, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Lemuel slipped back into a light sleep.
It had been a month and a half since work on the wall began. Lemuel finished his chores quickly so he could play with his little sister. Mama was busy baking bread and making another pot of stew to be taken to the workers.
*****
Several days later, while tending to the sheep Lemuel strained to listen. A sound caused his heart to quicken. Were the workers finally returning home? Was Papa among them? Running outside he peered down the rutted dirt road, and sure enough, there was Papa among them. Lemuel dropped the currying comb and ran into his papa’s open arms. How good it felt!
*****
It was morning and Lemuel sat up on his sleeping mat and rubbed his eyes. His heart pounded with excitement. Today was the Dedication of the Wall.
What a celebration! Lemuel joined with the people, joyfully singing songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. The sound of cymbals, harps and lyres was nearly deafening. Choirs and leaders were marching on top of the new wall. Lemuel stood tall beside his papa and mama and little sister. His heart overflowed with thankfulness as he shouted loud and clear, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
NIV Psalm 56:3, Psalm 107:1
This story is based on the Old Testament Book of Nehemiah.
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