Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Melody (08/24/06)
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TITLE: The Bench | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joyce Sykes
08/31/06 -
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“Shut up! I don’t want to hear it anymore,” agitated her voice rose steadily with each word. Relentlessly, the tune continued to echo. “I said shut up!”
People in the park glanced, and then quickly looked in the opposite direction. None desired an up-close encounter with the repulsive looking woman. The grim of the street clung to every pore with her once beautiful hair now heavily matted.
Oblivious to the glances, Shelia slumped down on the bench. Again, she covered her ears attempting to shut out the mysterious sounds.
The little white-haired woman sitting opposite prepared to leave when a puzzled look came upon her. Looking heavenward for just a second, a look of determination and compassion filled the wrinkled old face.
“My dear, are you alright?”
“What? What cha’ want, old woman?”
With a slight smile, Granny Smith looked at her companion, silently praying. “I asked are you okay? You seemed to be troubled.”
“Well, it’s none of your (muttering a vulgarity) business.”
“Oh, of course not! I just wanted to make sure you are okay,” her soft voice overflowed with compassion, something Shelia had not heard in a long time. Frightened by her stirred emotions, Shelia quickly stomped off.
Granny began interceding. For days, the young woman continued to capture the thoughtful prayers of the small warrior. Throughout the night, Granny awoke to pray for protection and the chance to help.
Daily, the intercessor returned to the park bench, desiring to minister to the young woman in obvious need. Finally, Shelia once more shuffled over and sat on the opposite end. Each pretended not to be aware of the other at first.
“Oh, hello”
Snorting at the interruption, Shelia did not respond at first. Refusing to be intimidated Granny kept a smile on her face and her requests rising toward His throne.
“Are you feeling better today?” The words of concern chipped away at a wall surrounding Shelia’s heart and a tear trickled out before she could stop it
“Stupid old woman, mind your own business.” Once more, she jumped up and hurried away. The soothing concern again stirred something deep within her spirit that Shelia didn’t understand.
Days passed before Granny’s companion once more sat on the park bench. Yet each day from the trees she watch the aged figure make her way to the bench and sit, sometimes for as long as two hours. Each one knew the other was close, yet the old prayerfully waited for His perfect timing.
Then finally, Shelia flopped on the park bench. Her hands again covered her ears attempting to quiet the melody. Quickly, the Lord prompted Granny to sit very still. Five minutes later, when a song rose into her heart she knew to hum it softly. Startled, Shelia spun around with the look of a hunted animal.
“What is that song? It keeps going through my mind.”
“It’s my favorite song. I don’t sing very well, but I’ll try. What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and grief to bear… My dear, are you alright?” Granny’s voice, quivering with age, stopped shortly as she heard the quiet weeping of her needy friend. Carefully laying her hand on the shaking shoulder, she kept very quiet, allowing the Lord to work His divine plan. Several minutes later, the young woman looked up.
“My Grammie sang that to me before she died, when I was little. So long ago... For years, I heard the tune in my mind, but I couldn’t remember where I heard it.” Shyly glancing at Granny, “You remind me …”
Rising hurriedly, Shelia left. Her reaction prompted the little intercessor to press in even more in prayer. Bit by bit for several weeks, the young woman shared her life; being shuffled from home to home, then foster care with each one worst than before. Rejection and abuse of every form took place regularly. Finally, at fourteen, she ran away and had since lived on the streets.
Then the day Granny had been waiting for came.
“Granny, I’ve talked about me and you always listen. Tell me, how can you always have that smile on your face?”
With the door of Shelia’s heart open, Granny walked boldly through carrying His grace and mercy. The Lord would tend to the rest. Smiling, the tune once more rose to her heart. “What a friend…”
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