Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Favoritism (02/28/05)
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TITLE: Freed From Prison | Previous Challenge Entry
By Corinne Smelker
03/04/05 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
The women shuffled their feet and a couple of throats were cleared, but no one raised a hand. “All right,” Amanda said. “Let’s end in prayer. However I’ll be here if anyone has questions.” With that, she lowered her head and prayed.
There was the usual scraping of chairs, muffled laughs and greetings as the ladies stood. Erica, one of the long-timers stood, sat and then stood again. Amanda glanced over at her – Erica was one of the quiet ones, but she drank in the Word each week. Amanda knew a little of her background – she had knifed her father, wasn’t that it? Amanda motioned to Erica who timidly approached. She killed her father? She looks like she wouldn’t say boo to a goose!
“Erica. How are you?”
“Fine.” Tersely, nervously, Erica stood rigid.
“Do you have a question?” Amanda asked.
Like a scared rabbit, Erica froze. Amanda led her to a chair, “Come sit. Do you want to talk?”
Erica nodded almost imperceptibly. Amanda’s trained eye could see Erica didn’t know how to begin. Holy Spirit, give me guidance and wisdom, she prayed. “So, what did you think of today’s topic? I love teaching on God’s Favourites, because then I get to show He doesn’t have any!”
A sob escaped Erica’s clenched teeth. Bingo, I’m onto something. “Do you have a question about that?” she gently coached.
“Only that I’m so glad to hear my heavenly Father doesn’t show favoritism! I hated being my father’s favorite!”
“What do you mean?” Amanda prodded.
Erica took a deep breath, “Mom died when I was eleven. There was just my Dad, Tom, my younger brother and I.” We were all devastated, couldn’t believe Mom had abandoned us like that – I know, it was not her fault, but we were all so alone. Anyway…”
Erica paused and Amanda thought, I know where this is going, but knew she had to let Erica speak for herself.
“After about a year, my father entered my room and asked if he could talk. He sat on my bed, chatting about the good times he and mom had, and how much he missed her, and then he started sobbing. I reached out to hug him, and he kissed me!”
Erica shuddered, and instinctively wiped her mouth. “It was not a good kiss, and then he put his hand under my nightgown…when I told him to stop he just ‘shhh’d’ me, warned me not to wake Tommy, and then he…you know…did ‘it’.” Erica stumbled to a halt.
Amanda gently took Erica’s hand, “And?” she encouraged.
“And, he told me not to tell anyone. He said I was his favourite, and Tommy would be jealous if he found out that Daddy loved me in a special way.” I didn’t know what to think. And so I did keep quiet. I tried locking my door after that, but Daddy removed the lock. I prayed he would find a nice lady to marry, but he never did.”
Erica leaned back and closed her eyes. “He said I was special, and he loved me, but it wasn’t right, and I knew it. I hated it! He even made sure I took a pill every morning, my ‘love pill’ he called it”
“So what happened?”
“I was in my senior year and realized I couldn’t go on like this. I should have reported him, but I didn’t think anyone would believe me. I took a kitchen knife to bed, and when he came into my bedroom and started ‘it’, I stabbed him. I didn’t mean to kill him, but I got him in the heart.
“I got Manslaughter One. I don’t mind, this place isn’t too bad, and I get out in a few years, and it was here I met Jesus and He has changed me. But I was always worried about the whole favorite thing! I never wanted to be God’s ‘favorite’! I wanted to be invisible, not get His attention in any way.”
Amanda was stunned – normally it was the other way round – people clamoring to be God’s special person!
As Erica left the room, with new life to her step, Amanda thought, The devil is such a liar! Thank you Lord for opening her eyes to your truth. Thank you that she can now relate to you as a true Father, not one who shows ‘favoritism’.
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The dialog had a nice, clear ring to it - it wasn't forced (for the most part), which is not easy to do, especially considering the topic.
Thanks for posting this. It's obvious the care you took in constructing it.
I am a prison evangelist and know from experience how true this story is in so many lives.
Written from your own experience or not it is a job very well done.
Kathy