Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Work (07/27/06)
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TITLE: Working quietly,together | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ruthie Forgey
08/01/06 -
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Her sermon penetrated the stillness of
lives that had become coldly
complacent and began to awaken hearts
that had grown inconspicuously
hardened by the mundane. The
gentleness of her message massaged
courage into hopelessness and desire
into defeat. The echo of truth
resonated into the canyons of idle
minds, grabbing the attention of
dismissed dreams, powerless passions
and deserted destinies. Resurrected
kindness and determined thoughtfulness
began to stir as inspiration incited
action, creating an eager quiver in
the congregation to respond. Her
delivery was impeccable, each pause
perfectly planned as our breath hung
on her every movement, our eyes never
leaving her sight. Definitions of
humility and unconditional love were
clearly stated, and contagious
enthusiasm began to consume our
creativity as we searched for methods
of emulation. The deliberate
pronouncements of each poignant point
rendered us surrendered to His call
upon our lives, and clothed us in
unobstructed obedience. Articulated
grace had been given and graciously
received. She had never planned to
preach with such power, never really
even recognized the call on her life.
As a matter of fact, she was even
running frustrated minutes behind this
morning as she was trying to make her
way to work. Then, she saw the crowd
gathered, gawking at a helpless human
in the form of a hump lying on the
sidewalk. His vomit covered him and
his smell was rancid. He was in
apparent distress, gasping for breath
as his panicked eyes searched for a
helping hand and a willing heart.
Jeers of judgment could be heard as
some walked by in self-righteous
ignorance while others stood round in
curiosity cloaked with concern.
Without thought, she pushed her way
through the crowd and kneeled in front
of him. She found a tissue in her
purse and began to wipe vomit away
from his scraggly chin. She held his
dirty and rough hands in hers and
calmed him with a caring gaze directed
into his eyes. Both their eyes filled
with tears as compassion began to seep
into his soul and his gasp for breath
had been met with someone willing to
give him life. His panting was
greeted with prayer as she bowed her
head and spoke loud but silent
petitions to our heavenly Father.
Soon, the paramedics came and carried
him away. She stood and smoothed her
wrinkled clothes and then continued
her journey to work., unaware of the
sermon she had just preached. Many
lives had been altered because she had
chosen to make the sidewalk her altar,
openly offering selfless sacrifice
without thoughts of selfish gain,
recognition, and promotion. I left
the crowd that morning, feeling
wonderfully blessed and rightfully
reproached. In her, I had seen Him
and I knew that I would never be the
same..
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