Love's Light Hope | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Love's Light Hope | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mary Dahl
05/28/09
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Melanie shielded her eyes from the light of the computer screen. The den was dark. She couldn’t sleep. One last check of her e-mail might help. Sure, it was after midnight, but there was a chance that her new friend in the on-line chat room might have responded to her latest query.

Stroking the keys, her heart began to beat faster. She hadn’t felt like this since high school when Toby Layman offered to give her a ride home after she missed the bus. Butterflies beat against her stomach. Her romance with Harold never brought butterflies.

It had all happened quickly and sensibly. He graduated from seminary, and she finished her internship at her home church. She knew she would marry Harold the moment they shared their life goals during Bible study. It was clear. This man was meant for her--no need for butterflies when everything is so sensible.

Her fingers thudded in her password, and then she waited for the messages to pop up. The darkened screen reflected her face. How old she looked! No makeup and the middle of the night didn’t do her any favors. She could remember the day when people would turn their heads to look at her. Accepting her aging was getting easier, but it still left her feeling a bit sad now and then. “It’s better than the alternative” was her standard joke with other aging friends.

The screen lit up with the message board showing two messages waiting on “mel4grace”, her screen name. One was from him! The butterflies pelted against her abdomen. She moved the cursor to highlight his name and pushed the button with her index finger. His message was short and simple. “Yes, let’s get together and talk. I enjoy our chats. You are great!” The butterflies went wild. She had been discussing spiritual gifts with him, along with sharing some of her frustrations about being a pastor’s wife and parenting three busy kids. He seemed to be a light in her dark little world, a new friend.

She held her cold fingers to her hot cheek and read over the message one more time. A smile spread across her face, and she wondered where the best place to meet would be. A sound from upstairs brought her attention back to the computer, and she quickly exited back to the main message board. Who was that other message from? Melanie moved the mouse again to highlight the unfamiliar name, and clicked the button.

“Dear Mel4grace, I noticed you on the board the other day. You don’t know me, but as my dear sister in Christ, I want you to know that you are greatly loved and that none of your problems are far from the heart of our Father. He has brought you to my mind and prayers several times lately, and I can’t help but think that you must have something major going on. I don’t know what it is, but I do know that you have a hope. . .a hope that is found in no man. May God show you how much he loves you. Sometimes to see the truth, we have to be honest with ourselves and those closest to us. Let the light shine in all of your dark places. Until it does, you will never be free.”

Melanie wiped the tears away from her eyes and clicked the mouse down to her first message. She quickly typed in the words, “I can’t meet. Good bye,” and pressed send.

“Honey, what are you doing down here?” It was Harold. He stood in the lighted doorway. His black socks created a stark contrast to his striped pajama pants and white t-shirt. Melanie looked up at him, tears blurring her eyes. He was by her side faster than she thought he could move. “Honey, what is it?” he whispered.

“I’m not happy. I’m so sorry.” She whimpered slowly. Harold’s eyes flashed to the computer screen and she could tell he was putting one and one together.

“Is there someone else?” He sounded broken.

“I don’t want there to be,” she answered.

“Let’s turn the lights on and talk,” he said holding out his hand to her.

For the first time, in a long time, there was a light shining in her darkness. She felt the soundness of hope deep within her.

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