Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Melody (08/24/06)
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TITLE: Melody of Hope | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Folch
08/25/06 -
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The melody was heard from a distance. Slow, methodical at first, then suddenly bursting with a raw rejoicing.
Lured to this magic sound, I found myself enchanted, moving almost trance-like to the source. To my amazement, I found a small, ragged looking boy. His small frame was barely covered with a faded t-shirt and cut-off jeans. Peering in from an open door, I noticed burn marks covered his body as he sat all alone in the deserted cottage.
Still sweaty from my jog along the river, I looked a bit ragged myself. Trying not to startle the boy, I knocked lightly. A flicker of fear at first, then the fierceness of his eyes returned. When he looked at me it pierced my heart. “Hello”, I said in the softest way I could. “It was the melody that brought me here to you.” Then the little boy said to me in a faint whisper, “you remind me of my Mom”.
Carefully I sat down on the old, dirty rug where the boy was sitting with his flute. Oblivious to the time of day and the responsibilities at home, it seemed the right place to be at the moment. “Tell me your name. Tell me why you’re here”, I prodded. “Bobby is my name. And the angels led me here”, he explained. Not quite comprehending the whole situation, I simply asked “please play for me”. This small, meek boy, who was no more than nine years of age, gingerly picked up his flute … and began to play.
There it was again; the melody that loosed my heart and set it free. This somewhat frail boy seemed transformed in the moment. Lost to the world around him, when he played his flute it seemed all nature stood still just long enough to hum along. There was a strength in his soul when he played. Suddenly he put his flute down and began circling around, dancing in spite of me. “Do you see them?” he asked. “The angels are dancing with me”.
Caught up in the moment, I began laughing, captivated by this young boy who seemed to be in his own little world. Coming to my senses, it dawned on me that something had to be done about this poor boy. Bobby stopped dancing and peered at me, as if he’s waiting for my next move.
Giving him my hand, he began to walk back along the river with me. I began to pray. “Lord, show me Your way. Give me wisdom for Bobby’s sake.” God’s still, quiet voice spoke to my heart; “I have a purpose and a plan, so rest in me”. Awhile down the path, there was an older couple walking toward us. They looked at us, and then looked again in utter shock.
“Bobby!” they cried out. “We’ve been looking for you!” They hobbled over as fast as they could, flinging their arms around this tearful boy. Then I remembered. A few weeks back there was a tragic news story about a house fire. A whole family was presumed dead. After the rubble was cleared, only three family members were found. The fourth member, a nine year old boy, was missing. Bobby’s grandparents looked at me and cried out “It’s a miracle. We’ve been praying to find our grandson.” Bobby clung to them and wouldn’t let go.
Bobby sat in the policeman’s office with his grandparents, and me. As brave as he could, Bobby described to them what it was like. The smoke was thick and he couldn’t breath very well, so he climbed out his window and onto the tree. His whole house was on fire. He cried for his Mom and Dad, and then his sister, but they couldn’t hear him. So he ran to get away from the flame and the fear. Then he heard a melody. It was slow and methodical at first, then burst out with a raw rejoicing. He ran toward the melody; he ran away from the pain.
When Bobby reached the melody, the cottage was lit up with the light of heaven Himself. Comfort, Peace and Joy put His arms around Bobby while the angels danced. Bobby picked up the flute left on the fireplace and felt compelled to play. It was if the Spirit played through him, giving him light amidst the darkness of grief. Bobby knew then he would be okay. It was whispered in his ear and played out in the melody of Hope.
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"I CRIED"