Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: RELATIVES (02/15/18)
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TITLE: In Spite of it All | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ebony Anderson
02/22/18 -
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These forms were the beginning of the end. Months ago, she should have taken the actions that her pen was doing now, with every stroke that was now flying across the pages. She was getting along fine despite the circumstances until she got to the next section. It stopped her in her tracks. She stared a moment at the simple inquiry that almost broke her heart. “Next of Kin†was all the form requested.
Juliette had no relatives now. Her parents were tragically killed, and she had no siblings. Charles was all she had and he knew it. It was the very thing that allowed her to be vulnerable to his abuse. Bu that was over, she decided. Before she thought about it too long, Juliette drew a line next to that question and her pen took off again, speeding to completion. She hurriedly scribbled her signature and turned in the forms before she lost her nerve or her composure.
When she was finished, her friend Leslie put an arm around Juliette’s shoulder and led her to the car as tears and sobs overwhelmed her. What would she have done without Leslie? The night before, after the festive party that left them in a celebratory mood, Leslie gave her a ride home where they giggled like schoolgirls. But afterwards, she doubled back to the apartment to return Juliette’s forgotten purse just after Charles pounced. Leslie took one look at Juliette’s freshly injured face and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her out to safety. Charles yelled after them, but was too drunk to navigate the stairs quickly as the women dashed down them and were soon back in car. Juliette shuddered to think of what would have happened if Leslie did not come back. Leslie then took Juliette home and let her know she could stay as long as she liked. Now, she was inviting Juliette back to their Church. Juliette had strayed from the congregation at Grace Temple when she met Charles, and they moved in together. She worried about their reactions to her “shacking up†and didn’t want to see or hear their disapproval. But she missed the congregation so much. “They miss you too and ask me about you all the time’†Leslie said convincingly with genuine eyes. “You can always just come back,â€
Over the next few weeks, Juliette received so many calls, prayers and words of encouragement as she reconnected with the congregation at Grace Temple. One Tuesday, Sister Elise stopped by with a casserole, that stirred memories of her mother’s sumptuous cooking. The next week, Elder Joy came through just to share a few kind words and prayers for Juliette. She was the grandma type who embraced her with a hug that helped Juliette to finally release the spring of tears that were welled up inside of her and begin the healing. Charles despite the restraining order called too. He left messages on her voicemail. He was apologetic at first, but that soon changed when she did not respond. After the third message, Juliette informed the police and blocked his number. Brother Steve and some of the men of the Church arranged for Juliette’s belongings to be moved safely from her home and set her up in Leslie’s spare bedroom. It wasn’t an easy time, but Juliette had help and support from her friends and the leadership at Grace.
Eventually she swallowed her pride and made it back one Sunday to the morning service. As soon as the double doors opened, she was embraced by light and warmth that flooded her with the peace. Many of the members smiled and nodded in her direction including Sister Elise and Sister Joy as she chose a seat. The choir was singing "Through it all" when Juliette opened the Bible from the pew in front of her. A random passage was immediately illuminated for her:
Psalm 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6a God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing.
As she looked around, she pondered the last few weeks. Juliette couldn’t help but smile in spite of it all. She knew without a doubt that God had led her back home. Tiny tears of joy appeared in the corners of her eyes. She stood to her feet, raising her arms in praise and began to sing the familiar tune. She would have many challenges to come, but at that moment she realized that she was not alone. They may not be blood relatives, but she did have more than most; a wonderful family who loved and cared for her.
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