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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: FOLD (10/08/15)
David Does Not Believe

Out of the murmur of half audible talk, I caught a coherent sentence now and then. I heard a gruff voice say, “I’m the master of my ship, the master of my soul. I have no time for such foolishness. I’ve seen too much.” “Oh no, it isn’t that you’ve seen too much, you’ve seen too little,” a feminine voice replied. The man never changed his gruff tone but sternly said, “Quarreling won’t help. If your ship from heaven arrives, let me know.” I could not imagine anything frivolous about their conversation. It seemed sober and of great importance.

I wisped passed their door on the fifth floor of the magnificent hotel and quickly hurried along my way. I made no attempt to ease drop, and I did not want to be perceived as prowling around, how could I help that their voices were raised? I had arrived at one of my favorite places, New York City, there for a class reunion. It had been ten years since I graduated from Columbia University, and I couldn’t wait to see friends. How many in my old fold had been successful and obtained their goals? I was filled with fright and anticipation, nostalgia and curiosity.

I unpacked, freshened up, and went downstairs to the restaurant. I was quickly seated next to large windows overlooking the busy streets. Immediately, I heard familiar voices ringing from a nearby table. Where had I heard these voices before? Then I remembered. They were the mysterious voices from upstairs. The man was dressed in a gray coat, double breasted with brass buttons. He was younger than I had imagined, but his voice still had the ability to make me exquisitely uncomfortable. The woman accompanying him was very beautiful, dressed in a brown cashmere skirt with a fancy, white blouse. They both appeared to be rather melancholy.

The smell of the hot coffee they were drinking was irresistible so I promptly ordered a cup. I cringed a little when I attempted to drink the hot liquid. I tried not to stare at the couple but could not help myself. Something other than their voices seemed to be familiar. Then, I recognized them, two of the gang from my college fold. I fumbled awkwardly as I rose from my seat and approached them.

Is that you, Sarah? And David, is that you? He extracted his limp wrist from his lap, extended it to me with aloofness and said, “Diane, it is good to see you again.” Sarah looked up with a smile at once poignant and lovely. We had a short visit, and Sarah promised to meet me later for a prolonged tete-a-tete.

Later, I head a faint knock at my door, and a friendly Sarah entered. She seemed eager to talk and catch up. She and David had been married shortly after graduation and were living in Maryland, both with successful careers. She explained to me that she was a devout Christian, but David was not. Then she told me that he was seriously ill, and his treatments were not helping. As she spoke, the earlier conversation I had overheard began to make sense. She explained, “I have earnestly begged David to come to church with me and be prayed for. David does not believe in divine healing. He thinks it is all foolishness.” Being a Christian myself, I suggested that we pray for David to change his mind.

In the weeks following our reunion, we stayed in constant contact by email and phone. “David has attended church with me on several occasions,” Sarah said one day. I learned that he had accepted Christ as his personal Savior. He was reading the Bible with such eagerness as to cause Sarah amazement. I was overjoyed and reminded her of all our prayers.

Months later, Sarah rang one evening so excited she could barely get the words out. David’s tests showed that he was in complete remission. “Above all, he is attributing it to the power of God,” she confessed in thankful earnestness. “God has applied the oil of His Spirit to David’s mind, and he is in a place of peace, set free from fear and negativity. He is astonished at God’s mercy, and I am astonished how quickly He heard and answered our prayers.” I nestled down on my sofa and praised God for His goodness.

“O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.” ( Psalm 30:2) KJV
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Lynn Smith
10/17/15
This is a great inspiration for those who have loved ones who are not Christian. Good job.

Critique: Separate dialogue with a space as you would a new paragraph. It makes the story easier to read and more inviting.

God bless you. :)
Bonnie Bowden 
10/18/15
That is why it is so important to keep praying for a non-believer. I remember a woman from church who prayed for thirty years before this family member became a Christian.