Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: GATHERING (07/14/16)
-
TITLE: New Beginnings | Previous Challenge Entry
By Cindy Duncan
07/21/16 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
It looked like a spaceship. As a matter of fact, most of the people under it were citizens of another world. Aaron watched as they drove past it. “What in the world was that?” asked Macie.
“It’s a tent revival meeting. I practically lived in them when I was a kid. That one has been going on for weeks. I read about it the other day. Apparently thousands of people come every night.”
“Let’s go. I’ve never heard of such a thing. Really, turn around, I want to go.”
“Seriously? You’ve never wanted to go to church before. You like the spaceship church, huh?” Aaron pulled into the left lane, and did a U-turn, heading back towards the revival.
“It does look pretty cool. I’ve never seen a tent that big before. No, I just want to see what it is that would make all those people want to come.”
When they pulled into the parking area, Aaron pointed out all the out-of-state license plates. People had driven for hours for this. He parked the car, and held Macie’s hand as they walked toward the light of the tent, the chorus of “I’ll Fly Away” permeating the air.
Aaron and Macie maneuvered through the crowd, finally locating a seat and a paper fan. “What genius came up with the idea of having this in July?” Macie murmured. “Hottest month of the year. And no air.”
“Well, in their defense, it started in May. It was only supposed to last one week, so you can talk to the Holy Spirit about the heat. He’s the one that’s kept it going.”
“I’ll Fly Away” ended as the keyboard player went right into “I Remember the Day.” People began raising their hands to the sky, and some were even shouting.
“What are they doing?” Macie asked Aaron.
“They’re praising God.”
Macie looked around the room. In the midst of the shouting and praising, there were several young boys playing in the wood shavings that provided a makeshift floor for the tent. They were making little roads for their toy cars. They didn’t even seem to notice what was going on around them, as if they saw it all the time. But Macie noticed.
“Do you feel it? It’s like there’s something in the air.”
Aaron smiled. “I feel it, Hon, and I’ve missed it.”
“Well, I want it. I want what they have.”
Macie sat on the edge of her seat as the preacher preached about Rahab, and how God spared her, in spite of her many sins. She began to fidget, all the while keeping her eyes fixed on the preacher. Aaron had never seen her so interested in anything before.
As the congregation began singing “Just As I Am,” Macie turned to Aaron and said, with tears streaming down her face, “I have to go down there.” She stepped out into the aisle, almost running down to the altar, with Aaron close behind.
Macie got saved under the big tent that night, while Aaron rededicated his life to God. As they left the tent, Aaron pulled her over underneath a huge oak tree.
“There’s something I need to say. I’ve been in love with you for a while now, and I was planning on asking you this later, but seeing what’s happened tonight, and considering that we both have committed to a sort of new beginning, I think the time is right.”
As the crowd continued to file out from under the tent, Aaron pulled something from his pocket, and got down on one knee. Opening the ring box, he showed it to her and asked, “Macie, will you marry me?”
Macie shouted, and people noticed what was happening and began to clap. “Of course I’ll marry you,” she said, the tears returning. Aaron picked her up in a big bear hug, as the preacher approached them.
“I guess congratulations are in order.” He reached out to shake Aaron’s hand, then turned to Macie. “Young lady, it’s not often that someone gets engaged twice in one night. You’re now part of the bride of Christ, and the future bride of Aaron.”
“I hadn’t thought of that, but I just thought of something else.” She stepped over to the tent, grabbed a handful of wood shavings, and smiled at the preacher. “If it’s okay, they’re for my scrapbook.”
.
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.
