Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Red (10/01/09)
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TITLE: The Blanket | Previous Challenge Entry
By Katie Sherrill
10/07/09 -
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Sam walked down the hospital’s long corridor, clutching a red blanket to her chest, like a lifejacket, protecting her from the sea of emotions that have been threatening to overtake her. As she headed toward Chelsea’s room, sudden doubts crept in and Sam was unsure if her gift would be understood or accepted.
As she held the soft, bright red, fleece blanket she had made, Sam considered how she thought it would be a simple project. Making blankets was her ministry. She decided to make one for Chelsea, a young girl in the church youth group, who was hospitalized for attempting suicide. It wasn’t until Sam went to visit Chelsea the first time that she realized the blanket needed to be special.
“So Chelsea, can you tell me what your favorite color is?”
Chelsea, a small, pale, sad looking girl stared at Sam before answering, “Red”.
“Wow, that’s a powerful color,” Sam replied, “why red?”
“I don’t know,” Chelsea spoke in a soft monotone, “It reminds me of blood”
Sam, noticing Chelsea look down at her bandaged wrists, tried not to look shocked. Feeling intimidated by this young girl she nodded and asked, “Would you mind if I made you a blanket?”
“A blanket, why?”
Sam had gotten Chelsea’s attention, though she was trying to act indifferent. “I like to make blankets. I figured that you were going to be here for a little while and it might be nice to have a soft blanket that could keep you warm. So, would that be ok?”
“Yeah I guess,” Chelsea shrugged.
That was just over a week ago and now the blanket was complete. Because of Chelsea’s desperate state, it was clear to Sam that even though Chelsea went to church, she didn’t have any idea how much God loved her. She wanted this blanket to be a constant reminder of the sufficient love of her Creator.
Gently knocking on Chelsea’s door, Sam walked in. The two of them had been growing comfortable with each other over the past few visits. The intimidation that Sam once felt has now turned to compassion. Sam’s heart hurt for this young girl. She didn’t know what found her hopeless enough to try and end her life. She prayed every night, while she was making the blanket that God would open the door for a long term relationship with Chelsea.
“Well,” Sam started, “I know you are going home tomorrow and I wanted you to have this while you were here, but now I think it will be more important for you to have it when you leave.”
Chelsea just stared at Sam confused. Knowing that her words must seem cryptic to this young girl, she unfolded the blanket and laid it across Chelsea’s bed. Afraid to look into her eyes and see disappointment, Sam focused on the blanket and started explaining what she did.
On one side stitched evenly throughout was a half dozen or so white, square patches. Written on the patches were scripture verses embroidered in red. “These,” Sam explained, “are some of the promises that Christ has given us. They are stitched in red, to remind you that they are His words. I want you to always have the Word of God wrapped around you. If you can cling to these words, I believe you will never again find yourself thinking that the only way out, is by taking your life.”
“This one is my favorite,” Sam said “it’s from John 10:10 ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly’.”
Looking at Chelsea, Sam was stunned to see tears streaming down the girls face as her fingers traced the words from Matthew 4:19 “Come follow me.” Encouraged, Sam flipped the blanket over revealing endless red, “I want this side to remind you of blood, but not the blood you normally think of,” as Sam said this she looked down to Chelsea’s scared wrists.
Taken off guard Chelsea looked up to see Sam’s tender smile. “Jesus has scared wrists too Chelsea, but his blood was spilled for you. Sam cleared her tight throat, needing to finish what she started. Jesus died for you, and every time you wrap yourself in this blanket I want you to feel his warm love surrounding you.
Chelsea picked up the blanket, wrapping it around her tiny body; she whispered through her tears, “Can you tell me more?”
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