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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Facepalm (05/15/14)
Seeing the reduced sun rays of the day and the pink and orange slashes in the sky slowly fad away I realize that I need to finish my shopping at the open market when I see a man collapse in front of me. He looks exhausted and near death. His clothes were tattered and with the days lately being long and hot, he had a fowl odor about him. Perhaps he’s a beggar, I don’t know and I don’t know of him. My father had taught my brothers and I to always be thankful for what we have and to never look down on others or even worse, take advantage of them or their misfortunes. A crowd begins to form around us but no one is helping, they are all staring at something behind me.

As I bend over to help him up, I feel a hand on my on my shoulder. With this hand, came a voice, both of which seemed calming and healing. This voice I heard said, “Friend it is alright, I am here to help.” I then stand up and turned to see who was speaking these words. And there he was, standing in right in front of me, standing there with his hand on my shoulder. As I gasped and put my hands to my face I realized that it was him. The only one it could ever be, it was Jesus…Jesus of Nazareth as some called Him. He begins telling me that I have just pleased my Father in heaven with my good intentions, and that like this man on his knees, neither of us will be forgotten.

This man, a very desperate man with leprosy on his knees, and he looks up at Jesus. A man who had nothing else to live for, but was willing to take one more chance. A man who was at the end of his rope. A man who could no longer hang on to that rope, and let go. And by letting go of his rope, he landed at the feet of Christ. Sobbing and begging perhaps for the very last time. And with what ever dignity and strength he had left, extends his bloody rope burned hands out to Jesus and asked to be cleansed and to be healed.

Everyone there backed away, everyone except for Jesus. He didn't step back when this helpless man approached him. He didn't turn away in disgust and he wasn't frightened. Jesus didn't stop and ask the man to come closer. No, he took the first step and went to him. The thought of stepping back never even entered Jesus' mind. And the instinct to say no could never come from his lips. He reached out to this man, this man with leprosy and touched him without any hesitation and said "I am willing, be clean." What Jesus did that day is what we all should do and that’s to step forward, to say yes to people in need and extend our hands and touch someone.

I can see how weary he was and I know his feet must be sore and blistered from the constant walking in those shoes. I also know that when he gets back home he will be able to dance a thousand dances in those same shoes.

I wonder how many people that day even after they witnessed this miracle still didn't believe or understand what they had just seen. They heard Jesus was near and they came to see Him. And that was a gift in its self, and not only did they get to witness Jesus, but they got to witness Him perform a miracle. Even though I know not all of them understood, I pray that they did. Because being blinded by the times in which you live can sometimes be very dangerous. So I also prayed that a buffer hadn’t been placed between their souls and the threshold to heaven, which was standing right in front of them.

I wonder how many that day hesitated and even stepped back when Jesus approached them. Thinking he now had leprosy and they were still unsure and still scared. How many of them backed away and didn't let Jesus touch them or their children because they were afraid this disease would now consume their family? I pray that none of this is true and that everyone who witnessed this; witnessed to others that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and will sing His praises.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
05/22/14
A good entry that will leave the reader feeling inspired.

Well done.

God bless~
Trudy Newell
05/24/14
A creative take on living in Jesus' times. It also has a good message to it.

I found these topics like "face palm" difficult. Keep writing. Take advantage of the fine people here at FaithWriters. I'm a beginner too. Let's grow and develop as writers.

Milly Born
05/25/14
I can feel your passion through your words--you have a message that needs to be read! However, your message will make even more impact if you pay attention to the grammar. For example, consistent verb tenses and punctuation.

I’m a beginner too and in only a few weeks I learned a lot through the FaithWriters community. Check out the forums and the blogs… and keep writing!
Sheldon Bass 
05/26/14
I enjoyed your piece. It is such a pleasure to see us all improving our writing skills together. Keep up the good work!
Robert Douglas Brown
05/29/14
A nice article with a good message. One thing that would greatly help would be for you to shorten you paragraphs. All in all, a well written article!