Prison Cells and a Blue Plate | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Prison Cells and a Blue Plate | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kay Newman
04/20/16
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Prison Cells and a Blue Plate

It was graduation day at Simpson Academy and Betty Richardson's mind was flooded with memories of the early years of Melody's life as she marched onto the stage with her classmates.

Seated next to her husband, Wilton, Betty gently nudged his arm and leaned in to whisper her thoughts, "What if we had not gambled on this one? Look how happy she is tonight."
….
At five years old, defeat and heartbreak shown on Melody Starns' face and it was obvious that hope had been lost through no fault of her own. Her long, dulled blonde hair was mangled and dirty and the texture appeared like the mane of a wild horse. She stood across the room from her perspective parents at the hospital waiting area where authorities had brought her to be examined. Reports of neglect had sparked an investigation and their findings required her removal from her filthy, rat infested home in Des Moine's inner city. The DHS officer was finalizing the paperwork and Mr. and Mrs. Richardson fumbled their overcoats and umbrella as they readied themselves to protect this image of brokenness from the storm outside. Betty mused at the thought of the many storms of life their heavenly Father had brought them through as she drew a breath of resolute faith.

At the Richardson home the table was already set for dinner with a three place setting of various colors of Fiesta dinnerware. Betty placed all the brimming bowls of steaming delights on the table and invited Melody and Wilton, to be seated. Instantly as Melody saw the food, she reached for the spoon from the macaroni and cheese and started toward her widely opened mouth. Without thinking Mrs. Richardson, in a startled voice, demanded that she wait to have her plate served. Melody's face flushed with shame and tears filled her eyes.

Leaning forward with a gut wrenching strain on her tiny face, she calculated the meal like a cat watching to devour its breakfast bird. Once Mr. Richardson offered the blessing and plates were served, Melody reached both hands into her special blue plate and began to rake the food to her starving mouth. Nausea and grief rushed in as the Richardsons recognized the implication of shameful abuse and neglect, concluding that her environment was more akin to animals than human nurturing and food was not a gift but a find. Betty, in an effort at composure, gently attempted to place the fork into Melody's hand, but thinking that her plate was being removed, she wrapped her entire forearm around her plate to hide and protect it. Tears welled in their eyes but they knew God's promise in Isaiah 61 says, " He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed." Without knowledge of bars or prison cells, Melody was certainly held hostage in a cell designed by cruelty.

After her bath, Wilton and Betty escorted Melody to her freshly painted bright lime green and pink bedroom. Large painted flowers danced across the walls and framed the head of her twin bed while animal prints hung strategically around the room. The intense degree of anxiety they felt at dinner was fading and Betty spotted Melody sliding her tiny hands up and down the soft fabric of her pajamas. Saving the best surprise of the day, Mrs. Richardson slipped a gift bag from beside the bed and handed it to the child. Slowly, with curious eyes, Melody found the most beautiful, angelic doll she had ever seen. At that moment she summoned a God sized emotion, born from her dreams and longings, as she tenderly caressed her new found friend. Love was found in a safe haven of peace.
…
With a regal tone, the master of ceremonies declared, "this year's Citizenship award goes to Melody Richardson."

Sitting beside the Richardsons was Toby Grant, a 9 year old boy, blinded through parental abuse, and Wilton, touching Betty's arm, whispered…"Nothing ventured, nothing gained!" With a wink and a nod in Toby's direction, he smiled, "Let's ante up beautiful lady."

God's grace and mercy had sealed their hearts and hope was ushered in through loving the unloved. And with a smile as broad as Texas, Betty agreed, "God's got this! I'm in."

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.