Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: THE WHOLE WORLD IN GOD’S HANDS (not the song) (05/28/15)
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TITLE: Abba, Daddy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Linda Crowley
06/04/15 -
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“Do you like the puppy?” Rich asked needlessly as he lounged in the doorway. It was good to see his child smile again.
“Oh, Daddy! This is the bestest birfday present ever. I pwomise I’ll take care of her an’ take her for walks, an’ feed her an’…evewything!”
Rich smiled. “I know you will. You’ll watch out for her just like I watch out for you.” He swooped over and scooped up the boy in his arms, “But now there’s just time for your bath before we go to Aunt Mary’s for dinner.”
“Can Mazie come, too?” he pleaded. “I’ll watch her weal good and keep her out of twouble.”
Rick was pretty sure the trouble would revolve around his sister’s favored flowerbeds, just as he was equally sure Dickie wouldn’t be an effective chaperone for the puppy. “Not this time, son. Mazie needs to stay home and take a nap. Remember she’s still just a baby.”
“How are you two doing, Rick?” Mary asked as they sat around the table after dinner, sipping their coffee. “Is Dickie handling the loss of his mother any better?”
“He’s not crying at night anymore, but he gets pretty lonely with just the two of us. The boy needs something more. That’s why the puppy. I’m hoping it will give him a new interest as well as a friend.”
Mary nodded thoughtfully. “It could work. But,” she smiled, “make sure the little rascal stays out of my flowers.” Rick laughed. Despite his determination that the new puppy should stay home, his son had pleaded until his indulgent father had finally agreed to let him bring the puppy. Sure enough, before the first hour was out, little Mazie had managed to escape to the garden, leaving a small wake of destruction before being collared. “We’ll be sure to bring her crate next time,” he promised.
“But what about you?” she returned to the subject. “How are you doing? Are you seeing anyone yet?”
“Mary, Louise hasn’t been gone a year. Yeah, I know, I know. Dickie needs a mother and I could sure use a housekeeper. But, no. I’m just not ready.” I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready. How could anyone take her place in my life, in my heart? he added to himself.
“Rick,” his sister spoke quietly, laying her hand on his arm, “No one can ever take her place. But it’s all right to love again. It isn’t a dishonor to her memory. In a way, it’s more like a celebration of all that was good between you. Louise would have wanted you to move on, to be happy again.”
“I don’t know. Maybe,” he sighed. “God knows when I’ll be ready.” Did God know? Would he tell him when it was time?
“Rick,” his sister reminded him hesitantly, “When we were kids and had a problem, we would go to daddy and he could make everything better. Maybe it’s time to do that now.”
“Dad’s been gone for years. I can’t very well go to him and say ‘Dad, I need a wife but I’m not ready to replace Louise in my heart, what should I do?’”
“But we do still have a daddy who can help. Think. What did we pray at the table this evening? ‘Our father who art in heaven…’ Abba, our heavenly Daddy, is always been there, watching over us, watching over you and Dickie. Trust him.”
He thought about it again that night. Trust him. Could he do that? Could he trust the God who had deprived him of his true love? God didn’t take Louise away. A drunk driver did. How many times did he have to remind himself of that? God had been his strength before the accident and even more so afterwards. Surely God would continue to support him. Dickie watches over Mazie and takes care of her. I watch over Dickie and take care of him. Who is watching over me and taking care of me? The words of the psalm rushed over him. The Lord is my shepherd… The Lord was watching over him. His life was in the hands of the shepherd. “Abba, Father, I have this problem, and I need your help…”
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