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Topic: Prosperity (05/11/06)
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TITLE: A Reversal of Fortune | Previous Challenge Entry
By Elaine Taylor
05/18/06 -
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Old Man Johnson, being the Miller's neighbor and all, noticed a clean shaven and showered Miller heading off to town that Monday morning instead of lying around his trailer. By Thursday of that week, Johnson yelled over to Miller “So, you working or somethin', boy?” “Yes, sir! Over at the dog food factory. I be sweepin' floors and such.” Old Man Johnson harrumphed. “Why they don't pay nothin'! You better off collecting those food stamps your family's been living on all these years.” (You lazy, no good for nothing, he thought to himself.) Miller just smiled and said “Psalm 35:27.”, and continued walking to work. Then on Sunday, The Millers went to church! Johnson saw them on his way out of the Go Mart where he was purchasing his Lotto tickets. “They've done gone and got religion. Bah!” spat Old Man Johnson. “It won't last. It's only a spell until he starts drinking again.”
Day after day, Johnson watched his neighbor waiting for his downfall. Every morning Miller went to work and every Sunday he and his family went to church. Then other things began to happen. The Miller children spent a day or two picking up all the trash and debris surrounding their home. Mrs. Miller actually planted some flowers in a couple of pots and hung new curtains in her windows. Mr. Miller rented a power washer and scrubbed as much grime as possible off the old homestead. Old Man Johnson volunteered to clean the windows. He was nosy. “So, boy, you expectin' The President to stop by or somethin'? Sure all wastin' your time trying to clean up this ole junk heap.” Mr. Miller wiped the sweat from his brow and said “Psalm 35:27, Mr. Johnson, Psalm 35:27.”
So weeks and months went by and Miller was never seen at the tavern. The little Millers were always neat and clean, and Mrs. Miller sold baked goods to the local bed and breakfast for extra cash which she put in a savings account every Saturday.
One day Mr. Miller came driving up in an old used car. He polished chrome and waxed that car until it sparkled. He changed the oil every three months and made sure the tires were never low. Old Man Johnson was beside himself. “Why, he treats that car like it was somethin' fancy and new! Any one who's got eyes can see it's just an old clunker!” Johnson had stopped asking Miller what was going on because Miller always replied with Psalm 35:27. “Religious fanatic!” muttered Johnson.
So, a year went by and then something really happened. The Millers moved out. Mr. Miller had been promoted to foreman at the dog food factory and a clean little cottage in town was part of his wages – rent free. There was a new car to drive, too, and the Millers were busy loading up the trunk with toys, clothes, pots and pans so they could go to their new home.
Before leaving, Mr. Miller gave Old Man Johnson a Bible with a note:
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Thank you for being such a good neighbor.
I 've tried to share with you how Jesus changed my life.
I know you don't take to religion but this is differnet – it works!
Me and my family are living proof.
I found a scripture in the Bible that has turned my way of thinking.
Perhaps you have heard me mention it ... Psalm 35:27
Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.
It's true! Spirit, Soul and Body; the Lord has changed my life and He wants to change yours.
I hope you'll let Him.
Your friend,
William Miller
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