Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: DELICIOUS (02/04/16)
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TITLE: Chocolate | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gary Ritter
02/08/16 -
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My first days on the job were strange in many ways. My brother and father hated that I would be so insolent as to work outside the home. They only relented because my mother pleaded that my college education must be put to use. Contrary to my expectations, most of the people at the company expressed an open friendliness. Most peculiar was the young man in the lunchroom.
We had similar break times. I read the Qur’an, praying Allah would heal the pain inside me; he sat across the room eating chocolate, which I loved. There was nothing attractive about him: pudgy, unkempt hair, rumpled clothes; in a word: unappealing. In those initial weeks I kept my distance. Chocolate or not, I wanted nothing to do with him.
After finally seeing the doctor for my internal discomfort, my brother drove me home. He drove me everywhere. My family had allowed me to work, but there were limits to the freedom a virtuous woman could enjoy. Kadeem saw my downturned face. “What is the matter, Naajiya?”
Sharing my misery with him was the last thing I wanted, but I did anyway. “My liver is diseased. I am dying. The doctor says I have three months to live without a transplant.”
Kadeem shrugged. “That is sad, but it is Allah’s will.”
I raged at him. “Allah’s will? He is the one who gave us sin. He inspired us to go astray. My sickness is from him. Why would he do that? What kind of a god would cause his people such distress?”
“Be careful, Sister. Do not blaspheme our god.”
The next day in the lunchroom I sat watching that young man eat his chocolate. How delicious it looked! But the doctor had told me that I must avoid many foods, including my favorite. Was there no justice in the world?
To my shock, the man walked over to me. I turned my eyes from him.
“May I sit down?”
“Fine. What do you want?”
“Would you like some chocolate?”
I couldn’t control myself and broke down in tears. As much as I found his appearance unpleasant, Matthew had a caring demeanor. Somehow I told him the situation.
“May I pray for you?”
How could I say no? Matthew ended with “in Jesus’ Name” which bothered me, but left me feeling oddly peaceful.
My family gave me no encouragement. I spent each long night with persistent throbbing and left for work the next morning exhausted. Three days later I saw Matthew again at break. Once more he astonished me. “I’ve been praying. I’d like to donate part of my liver to you.”
When I told my father he absolutely forbade it. My brother couldn’t believe I would entertain the notion. “Accept the liver of a kafir? You would live with part of an infidel inside you?”
The next day I told Matthew yes.
A stressful period followed with doctor consultations, numerous tests, and much preparation leading to the operation. During that time I lied to my family so they wouldn’t know of my plans. Matthew had to give up chocolate with the strict diet they assigned him. He did what he had to do with encouraging cheer.
In those couple months before we went under the knife Matthew began sharing his life and beliefs with me. I listened respectfully and over time my defenses broke down. I told him of my family, how the teachings of Muhammad meant everything to us. Gently, he showed me the errors of Islam and the love of Jesus.
The operation took many hours. They took part of Matthew’s liver and gave it to me. Only as I recovered in the hospital did I phone my mother. None of my family came to see me.
I finally got the courage to ask Matthew why he would sacrifice for me, someone he didn’t know. His answer, “Because Jesus died for me that I would die for others” made me want to know this Jesus as my God.
On the day the doctors gave me a clean bill of health, Matthew brought a gift to celebrate. He also asked me to marry him. I kissed my love with chocolate lips.
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A lovely and well-written take on the topic!
Blessings,
Blessings~