A FRIEND IN NEED | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: A FRIEND IN NEED | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dolores Stohler
12/02/20
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

The explosive sound was horrific and David would never forget it. When he thought about it later he likened the experience to being a suicide bomber blowing yourself up and feeling yourself torn apart, lifted up and landing in a heap with one part of your body twisting in pain. His head pounded for what seemed a long time before he finally lost consciousness.

He awoke in a hospital bed with a nurse bending over him. “Mr. Pierce, Mr. Pierce, can you hear me?” A nurse kept repeating this over and over while he drifted back to consciousness in a fog of confusion. He didn't remember being pulled out of his car or taken to a hospital.

“Yes, yes, I'm alive”, he said at last, blinking and trying to roll over in bed. Something was restraining him; his legs didn't want to move. His eyes flew open then in terror. Did he still have a pair of legs? Trying to sit up, he called for a doctor and was told the doctor would see him later. Right now it was time to get him into a room and settle him for the night.

When the doctor arrived he was blunt, no hedging around. “We had to amputate your left leg near the knee. There was no other choice. The bone was shattered and simply sliced in two. I've seen a lot of injuries and this was one of the worst. The other driver fared better. His injuries were minor, but then he was driving a truck.” David stared at the man, not wanting to believe what he was hearing. He never even saw that truck. It must have approached from the side when he turned to look at his cell.

The next morning David awoke to a semblance of norm and regarded his room with a feeling of hopelessness. He was 22 years old, an athlete in training for a marathon race, working part time at a gym while still living at home with his parents. This was what his life was all about. Without a leg how could he lead a normal life? This kind of thing happened to solders on deployment, not runners like him.

When his parents came later that morning they had little to say other than try and cheer him. Dana, his girlfriend, would be coming to see him this afternoon they said. And a few other friends would be coming as well.

This was far from comforting. He could face his buddies, but Dana was another matter. Sweethearts since high school, they were practically engaged. He didn't want her to see him like this. He wasn't a whole person anymore, only half a man and without a future to look forward to. His dreams, his hopes were crushed along with his leg. Anger found him then and he began to blame God for his accident. “Where were you when you this happened, Lord,” he asked to the room at large. “I'm supposed to have the Holy Spirit. Why didn't he warn me about that truck?” He tried to kick back the covers so he could see his leg but fell back helplessly, almost rolling off the bed. He yelled at God in uncontrolled anger, the rage inside him bouncing off the walls.

A frightened nurse appeared at the door, followed by a man on crutches. “Let me handle this,” the stranger said, gently motioning her to go. “Hey there, dude, I feel your pain,” he intoned as he made his way to a chair at the bedside. David noticed that the man had an artificial arm on his left side and wasn't moving too well with the crutches because he clutched a Bible to his right side with the good arm holding a crutch. “I've been in your place and I know what you're feeling. I lost my arm in Afghanistan and my legs are in poor shape too. It's tough at first so it's OK to yell at God. He can take it but he's going to reshape your life and then it'll be alright. Now you're going to read the Bible with me every day and we'll get through this together.”

The stranger, who said his name was Pete, began to read “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities...and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 NIV)

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.

Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.