The Author's Story | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: The Author's Story | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Borga
10/27/22
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Troubled dreams followed her throughout the night. As soon as her morning duties allowed her, she escaped to her quiet room and sat at her desk. The images in her mind swirled like leaves set loose by the autumn winds before gently landing. The author put the nub of her pen to paper and began to write:
~
The time had come for the shepherd to lead his flock to the high pasture. As they climbed, he called each name in a sweet soothing song. The sun was high overhead before they reached the fertile ground where the new grass sprouted. Dodi, one of the smaller lambs, was nibbling greedily at the tender stalks when a shaggy, fat-tailed ewe pushed her from behind. She tried to turn but was bumped from the side by a dozen of her scruffy companions. Raucous bleating rang in the dusty air as they continued their jostling. Her stomach clenched with hunger. She stumbled onto a barren, rocky path to flee the noise and confusion.

She discovered a hidden stand of wood sorrel hidden behind an outcropping of rock. Dodi basked in her solitude as she feasted on the sour heart-shaped leaves. She would eat in peace without sharing with the others. The cacophony of bleating faded and she could no longer hear the voice of her shepherd. But her full belly and the warm sun soon made her eyes droop. She curled up in a nook of the rock and allowed herself to drift off.

When she awakened to the hoarse scream of a hawk, the sun was beginning to slant in the west. As she scrambled to stand, she slipped and her feet slid into a narrow crevice. Her frantic struggle to get free only wedged her tighter. Trapped, she could only wait, trembling, as dusk turned to darkness.
~

The author paused, overcome by the little lamb’s fear. She forced herself to shake off the feelings and resumed her story:
~
Dodi cowered in the lonely dampness of her rocky prison, bitterly regretting leaving the safety of her flock. Then, as she gazed into the lonely starry sky, she heard the glorious sound of footsteps on the pebbles. A narrow beam of light pierced the darkness. Her shepherd, lantern in hand, peered over the rock and smiled.

“There you are, my beloved! Isn’t it time for you to come home?”

He set down his lantern, reached his strong arms into the narrow space, and eased her out. Tenderly, he lifted her to his shoulders and carried her back where she belonged.
~

A tear dropped onto the page and the words blurred. The author abandoned her paper and pen. As she had done so many times before, she stepped up to the throne of grace and surrendered her prodigal to her Savior. Her Shepherd had promised to listen to her pleas. Someday, yes, someday her child would come home. Until that time, she would continue to ask, to trust, and to watch.

***
"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?" Matthew 18:12 (NKJV)

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