Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: TALKATIVE (09/08/16)
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TITLE: Why Is Annie Blushing? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pamela Hill
09/14/16 -
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Everyone else was gathered in the parking lot, laughing and joking as usual. When Todd came out, locking the doors behind him, it was their cue to head over to the restaurant that boasted; “The Best homemade pie in the state.”
Not having their own building, they used the YMCA for church services twice a week. Cleaning together before and after each service had grown them into a tight knit group.
Why do I even go with them? We don’t have anything in common and I never know what to say. But Annie knew why, the alternative was to go home to an empty apartment and be alone.
She’d been excited when they accepted her offer to help, and even more excited the first Wednesday night they had asked her to join them for pie. The core group of the church was including her and it had never occurred to her that they would be superficial and boring!
They’d seemed interested when she told them she was a writer, but so disappointed when she told them what she wrote. They wanted her to say; “Murder Mysteries, Love Stories, Ghost Stories, Tales of Vampires or Angel Sightings.” But when she said; “I write Devotionals and Obituaries” no one knew what to say. The silence had only been broken when the waitress asked; “Ok, who had the Rhubarb a la mode?”
Every week she continued to join them, hoping this week would be different. But every week they spent the whole time talking of paint colors for the kitchen, what new car to hope for next, a shopping spree to a neighboring town with a mall, changing hairstyles, clothes, lawn furniture, blah, blah, blah.
Their current conversation had her ready to scream; “Who cares?” when instead her attention was drawn to a woman and teenage boy sitting across the room. She’d seen them in church a couple of times but hadn’t yet met them.
No one even noticed as Annie got up and left the table.
A short while later, Sarah nugged Todd and whispered; “Look at that!” Their stare caught the attention of the others as one by one they all turned their focus to the other side of the restaurant.
“Who is that she’s with?” Ryan asked, but no one recognized them.
They sat mesmerized as Annie threw back her head and broke into laughter. They’d never seen her so animated, engaged and alive. She was talking non-stop with this woman and boy. Was this really their Annie, the one who never said a word?
Annie turned and saw Todd as he approached. She was smiling all over and looked so beautiful it caught him off guard.
“Todd, come and meet Carmen and her son Anthony. They’re new to our town and our church. Carmen, this is Todd. You may recognize him. He’s the one that stands up front every service, but he doesn’t like us to call him Pastor.”
Everyone greeted each other as Todd sat in the chair next to Annie.
“Todd, you have to hear Carmen and Anthony’s story. They were missionaries in Turkey. Carmen’s husband was killed because of their belief. They have family in our state and feel God has placed them in this community to start over.” Todd listened to Annie tell all she had learned about these two in such a short time. “And Anthony has memorized half of the book of John! Isn’t that amazing?”
That wasn’t the only amazing thing Todd was hearing. He was watching Annie come to life because she was talking about something that mattered to her. When the conversation was centered on what God is doing she couldn’t stop talking!
Silently Todd prayed; “God I’ve been a fool. I’ve let myself be drawn into folly and wasted the precious opportunity You’ve given me to lead this group. Thank You Lord for Annie’s example, and thank You for opening my eyes to see her as You do.”
Rising to leave Pastor Todd asked Annie; “Do you mind if I join you at your table next week?”
Sarah, Ryan and the others still sat watching from their table.
Jeremy asked no one in particular; “Why is Annie blushing?”
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I thought this was well written using the "main character" to expose the problem.
Great message too.
God bless~