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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Write CONTEMPORARY FICTION (10/30/14)
As Ashley peered out her huge living room window she relished in the thought that this would be her view. It was Autumn and the leaves were turning to beautiful shades of red, crimson, orange and gold that caught the sunlight and shimmered. She could see the building tops for miles and beyond three streets she could see the river flowing along like a silver serpent headed south.

She felt freer than she had in many years. These were supposed to be her golden years and so far they had done nothing but weigh her down like a ton of gold. She let out a huge sigh and pointed her face towards the heavens.

“My dear Lord and Father in Heaven please help me to get rid of the weightiness of my past. I have freed myself from all the physical baggage and now I need your guidance to be rid of all the baggage I carry upon my heart.”
The knock at her door interrupted her train of thought as she wondered who could possibly be at her door.

“I am the ‘welcome wagon’ for the eighth floor. My name is Karon and if you aren’t busy this Sunday morning I would like to escort you to the Sunday worship services held down in our community room.”
“I don’t know. It has been so long since I have been in church, the entire building may collapse around us if I go!”

“Don’t be silly” Karon replied with a huge smile on her face. “It didn’t collapse when I started going again and I am sure you could be no worse than I was!”
“Well, if you think it’s safe then I will be ready when you call. Would you mind coming in for a cup of coffee? I have some questions I would like to ask before I take the plunge back into church.”

Karon and Ashley emptied a pot of coffee by the time they had finished talking. Karon knew they were going to be close friends before the month ended. Ashley did most of the talking and Karon patiently listened as Ashley poured out her heart about what was burdening it.

That Sunday morning after church the two women went to Karon’s for lunch. Karon told Ashley to make herself at home while she finished up lunch preparations and that nothing was off limits. Karon described herself as an open book with no secrets…except one.

As Ashley wandered around Karon’s living room she spotted a picture of two little girls entwined in a hug with huge grins on their faces. “Your grandchildren?” she asked.

“No that picture was taken a long time before I had grandchildren. That is a picture of my best friend in grade school. We had a fight and I lost my best friend forever. It was a silly quarrel and I have regretted my actions ever since.”
“One of those little girls seems awfully familiar. Where did you go to grade school?”
“Hallsville elementary. And the little girl on the right should be very familiar to you because it is YOU!”

Ashley’s mouth dropped open as she realized she was in the apartment of Karon Green. They had been best friends until Ashley had said mean things about her behind her back and another fat little boy had told Karon every word she had said.
“Oh, Karon. How can you stand to have me here; let alone be so very kind to me!”

“That’s a secret the pastor has taught me. Once I released all my past heartaches and griefs, I became a loving and giving person. Jesus has wiped away all the heavy baggage I carried in my heart. The verses that helped me most are in Philippians 4:4-9. I have forgiven all people who hurt me…including you.”

“I think I need to hear some more of your pastor’s preaching. And, if you could manage I would like to spend time with you and learn what you have learned. My heart definitely has some baggage to lose!”
“I prayed for just that my dear old friend. Once I knew it was YOU moving into the building, I knew I had to become your friend again. She raised her glass of iced tea and said here is to a beautiful new friendship with all baggage removed.”

Ashley marveled at the answer God had given her to her first prayer in many years…her old friend Karon! She had forgotten how AWESOME God is!
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This article has been read 704 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Tracy Nunes 
11/07/14
What a great reunion! Oh that we could all have a do-over for bad endings. This was well written and hopeful. I enjoyed it a lot.
C D Swanson 
11/07/14
I loved this! Powerful and a pleasant read.

God bless~
Noel Mitaxa 
11/08/14
Clever use of dialogue and characterisation to make a credible point about the power of forgiveness. A little extra spacing and little less repetition will bring out even greater strength in your work. Well done.
Larry Whittington
11/09/14
This is a good weaving of lives and mending of hearts by God's intended intervention.

God's will can be known in his word but his ways are unimaginable.
alan kane
11/09/14
Really enjoyed this touching story. So often we lose contact with people for many reasons, but still wonder what happened to them.
C D Swanson 
11/13/14
Congrats!
God bless~