I LONG TO BE READ | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: I LONG TO BE READ | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karuna Barla
01/31/07
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It has been 10 years since I came to live with Paul. I remember that day like it was yesterday, it was Paul’s 15th birthday and I was all dressed up for the occasion, with a neat little bow and everything. Paul didn’t know I was coming. His dad had picked me from the local bookstore where I had stayed, I don’t know how many days, but I was fairly new.

Waiting inside the closet wasn’t my idea of fun, but I humored Paul's dad and waited anyway, until the time came to bring out the gifts for Paul. Finally it was time and Paul's dad handed me over to Paul.
Paul was a young cheerful guy and was happy to see me. I was so excited myself, to have a new friend, considering I had books for friends all my life at the bookstore, this was such a wonderful experience.

We hit it off quite well during the first couple of years of our friendship, being always together, until Paul grew older. He didn't have time for me any more, he was going to college you know and people can get very busy when they join a college.Paul didn't plan to take me with him, of course, I understood he wouldn't have time for me, but my heart longed to be with him and though I wasn't meant to go, I am so grateful, Paul's mom, had quietly sneaked me into his backpack.

As years went by, things turned out pretty much the way I was afraid they would. Paul had not managed to finish college, landed no job, and Paul never came by to even glance at me. I sat there on the shelf waiting for my friend,Paul.
I had counted his birthdays as they came and went, and today is his 25th birthday. I waited for him and today feels different. Paul came home, beat up and bleeding. He looked so sad, my heart cried out for him. He had gotten into a fight with some gangsters nearby on account of some drugs and money and I don't know everything but thats what I picked up from his muffled murmuring. I knew he was into drinking almost regularly, but I refused to believe this sight, that was in front of me. A broken Paul.

I knew I could turn things around for him, if only he would come back to me and read with me again. Today my heart's desires were going to be answered. Paul came up to me, dusted me, and sat down with me to read. My leather bounds knew no bounds as we huddled together on his bed. My heart rejoiced, as we read together the parable of the prodigal son. I poured out all of my heart and showed him how God had loved him every step of the way and how He had waited for him to read this love letter He had written for him so many years ago. Tears welled up in Paul's eyes as he continued to read the rendering of God's heart full of love, for a man as lost as he was. In those tears I saw, pain, sorrow, repentance and gratefulness and I knew in my heart Paul would never leave me again. He said so in that little prayer he whispered with me in his hands.

We lay down together. I watched, as Paul's eyes slowly shut down and led him into the much needed rest. My heart was joyful and my soul was glad that I could lead his heart into the restful presence of His Saviour, His Heavenly Father who had written everything for Paul. I rested myself ,after a long wait, in Paul's embrace-the same hands which had written on the page of my heart, on his 15th birthday- "I am Paul's Bible".

Does your Bible feel read?

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