Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Feel (emotions) (08/26/10)
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TITLE: Crash Course For The Greeter | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gary Morris
09/02/10 -
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As soon as the annoying reverberation from the blaring alarm killed the sleeping silence, Johnny jumped to his feet and dashed to the shower. He was so overjoyed that it spilled from his lips in Hallelujah tunes as he mentally prepared for his first call of Christian duty.
Pastor Phil had noticed Johnny’s quite visible excitement and offered him the opportunity to join the Greeters in the foyer on Sunday morning. Johnny had thought of this all week long and couldn’t believe the time was almost here! He had prayed and meditated on what to say and had even practiced his handshake and smile in the bathroom mirror.
Now he was dressed and on his way to church, waving at everyone he saw. Everyone knew Johnny was an enthusiastic Christian, but he was almost glowing today.
Johnny darted from his car with his black Bible under his arm, sprang onto the church steps and dashed through the door. Within seconds he reported for duty and eagerly awaited his first Sunday morning subject. No one knew they were about to walk into a highly energized foyer and shake hands with a live-wire.
The first few who trickled through, with sleep yet in their eyes, thought they had entered into a three ring circus and Johnny was the circus leader. The dazed few slid into their pew wondering what had just happened to them.
No droopy Christian was going to dampen Johnny’s spirit. No, Sister Ethel couldn’t even do that. She had poked from her car, up the sidewalk and steps and finally into the foyer. Slowly closing the door behind her, she turned to face a bright ray of sunshine that was about to attempt to brighten her day.
“Good morning!”, Johnny exclaimed as he reached for her slow and wrinkled hand. “How are you feeling on the beautiful Lord’s day?” Then Johnny paused for a moment as he caught his breath and waited for her quick response.
Sister Ethel adjusted her bifocals, pulled her purse and Bible close in her left arm, wiped her brow and reached for Johnny’s hand.
“Oh sonny boy,” she whispered as she frowned. “My bursitis is about to get the best of me. I can’t sleep at night. I just hurt all the time. I think it’s going to be the end of me”
Johnny quickly formed a look of concern on his face and was about to offer a word of encouragement, but was suddenly interrupted.
“They put me on another arthritis medicine that was over a hundred dollars, but I had to pay it anyway. I just can’t live without it. This arthritis is really taking it’s toll on me,” she said.
“I’m so sorry,” was all he could get out before she interrupted again.
“Did you ever know anyone that had sciatic nerve problems?” she asked without giving time for an answer. “My daddy had sciatic right up till he died and my momma lay flat of her back with it and couldn’t even go to his funeral.”
By this time Johnny was watching others go by without a proper greeting and he could do nothing because his hand was being gripped by Sister Ethel’s. He was about to offer another word when she started again.
“Did you know my grandma died with a heart condition? She sure did,” she exclaimed. “It broke our heart to see her go, but her heart just wouldn’t hold out. I think that’s what killed my momma too. None of her brothers had it. They all died with a stroke. I think I’m going to have to go have my heart checked. You know, I bet that’s what wrong with me. Sometimes I can hardly go.”
“My doctor seems to think my heart’s ok, but I just feel like that’s what my problem is. You know the doctor don’t know everything.” She said. “I knew a lady one time that went home and died after the doctor had just given her a clean bill of health. I think that’s what my problem is. I need to see another doctor this coming week. That’s what I need to do.”
Johnny quickly said, “well I’m glad you got a good rest last night and made it on time to church today. I hope you enjoy the service.”
“Me too,” Sister Ethel replied, “I hope I don’t fall asleep. I didn’t get in from the casino till after midnight last night!”
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