Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: PLEAD (11/30/23)
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TITLE: Raniel | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sharon Nickerson
12/07/23 -
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“Let's go, Ran!” Brama tried to sound excited. “Up and at 'em!” Uzziah added with false enthusiasm. They knew their cousin's state of mind lately.
But Raniel knew their game. “They are tired of all this, I know. Day after day, helping me toilet, buying me food, helping me to temple. If only Yahweh had heard my anguished cries!” he thought hopelessly. The sorrow almost crushed him.
“It's a strangely beautiful day, Ran,” Uzziah said as they helped get him ready. “There will be lots of people going to temple today and you may get many alms. Ask God to help.” Raniel just “tsked.” He had already given that up. As the men lifted him using his worn blanket, they took him outside and placed him on a wooden cart to wheel him to the temple. Brama handed him two pieces of bread to sustain him. “Well,” thought Raniel, “I'd better get ready to beg with pleading eyes or people will kick me, as I expect anyway.”
It was morning when they reached the temple gates. The cousins lifted him on his blanket and laid him at the Beautiful gate. They hurried off to work themselves as Raniel watched them run with legs and feet that worked.
The early sun had risen and reflected off the bronze gate doors as they opened. The heat of the sun felt good on his skinny body. Raniel envied the people as they easily moved about and chatted with each other in the court in front of him. He felt the familiar pang in his heart because of unanswered prayer. Raniel fell asleep in depression at that thought.
When he woke, his stomach growled with hunger. He slept a long time. There were other people near him asking alms. It was close to 3pm, an hour of prayer, and many men were coming through the gate now. “These two men approaching look kind and speak quietly with each other. I'll ask,” he thought with small hope.
“Please, may I have some alms from you? Can you spare anything?” he asked with fear.
“Look at us,” one of them said. Raniel straightened a little and stared at both of them. He thought it might be his lucky day.
“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk,” the burly man said (Acts 3:4-6NKJV). Raniel felt a strange sensation throughout his body. Then a burning feeling went through his legs and to his feet. The man reached out his hand to Raniel and he automatically grabbed it. The man started to lift Raniel up, and sudden strength entered his ankles and feet.
Raniel jumped up with amazement! A flood of emotions raced through his heart and mind. With feelings of awestruck unbelief, he could walk, spin, and jump for the first time in his life! He continued jumping, praising God with such thankfulness, he thought his heart would burst with love. He did not let go of the two men as they walked into the temple together. He bounced along behind them, shouting praises to God, tears streaming down his face.
In his secret heart, he thought to God, “Now I know how beautiful You are, and how much my name will glorify You. Raniel, You named me: God is joy!”
Historical fiction
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