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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Encouragement (02/23/12)
It was just another hot, steamy day in my mobile office. As a courier I delivered inter-office mail for a bank. Ice clinked in my water bottle as perspiration dripped down my back.

While heading home, I started to pray. "Dear Lord, I moved here because of my career, but now my job is gone. I didn’t move here to drive around this town, like a chicken with its head cut off. My car is like a sweat bucket because the air conditioner doesn't work. What are you doing to me? Do you care? Do you love me any more? I have no family here, no one to love me. How can I trust you Lord, how?"

Once home, I started dinner; I glanced at the clock. It looked like the middle of the night, but it was only 6:00 PM. I scurried to the apartment door, peered out, and saw dark clouds. I rushed into my bedroom and plopped on my bed to watch the news. At 6:05pm, they featured a story about a bank robbery, then switched back to the news anchor. "We have breaking news about a storm that is moving our way. Let's go to meteorologist, Paul Douglas, in the weather center for more details."

The screen changed to a single shot of Paul. "Thank you, The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Saint Clair County until 6:45pm."

I hopped out of my bed and charged outside again. Something akin like a Florida hurricane was brewing out there. I had never seen the trees bend like they did. I flew back into my bedroom and watched more of the weather coverage.

About an hour later, when things calmed down, I walked on my deck to see if there was any damage. My neighbor, Troy, walked up the steps, on the deck, to his apartment. He glanced at me, then gazed off in the distance. His eyes popped out of his head. "Did you see what happened to the apartment building over there?"

"See what?"

"The roof is gone!" Troy's face turned white.

"Holy cow, you’re right! I didn't see it."

My hands were shaking and my knees were knocking. Before I meandered back into my apartment and parked myself on the couch, the Lord spoke to me, "Ken, earlier today you asked me if I cared about you. You questioned my love for you. That could have been your apartment that was damaged, but I spared you. I am here, I will never leave you or forsake you. You may not understand this now, but I am with you."

I later learned it may have been a tornado. The Lord holds me in the palm of his hand.

Authors note: This story is a fictional account based on actual events.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 695 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Donna Wilcher
03/02/12
Great story; nicely told and very encouraging! Loved it!
Kathleen Langridge
03/02/12
Good detail and focus. One possible red mark? 'akin' and 'like' mean the same thing. I think you may have meant 'akin to a Florida tornado. Encouraging story and faith reminder. Keep writing.
C D Swanson 
03/02/12
Beautiful job with the topic. I loved the "dialogue" with the Lord and the MC. Lovely story.
Thank you.

God bless you~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
03/05/12
I enjoyed this idea quite a bit. I like that it is based on a true story. I think it is wonderful that God inspired you to write it now since the news has been full of stories about tornado season starting early this year.

You could still pep up the story with more showing. You mentioned the trees bending but if you had described other things like debris flying across the yard and street signs noisily clanging in the wind it would make the reader feel like they were watching it all unfold with the MC.

Keep writing and pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone. God does use your words to encourage others.