Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Don’t Look Back (04/19/12)
-
TITLE: The Angel's Advice | Previous Challenge Entry
By Hiram Claudio
04/26/12 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Just a few days ago, life was simple and predictable. With going to the market, tending to the children, and dealing with their community all seemed normal. Then, in a moment that now anchors deep in his heart, everything changed. He’d been running for what seemed like ages. Exhausted, both physically and emotionally, he stopped to rest when a stranger walked by.
“Peace to you my friend”
“You too pal.”
“My name is Anock. What’s yours?”
“Uh … I’m Tol.”
“You look exhausted. Been traveling long Tol?”
“A little. Recently had to leave home in a hurry. See that billowing smoke over the ridge?”
“Yeah, what happened there?”
“Long story. I was given a warning to flee the city quickly as it was about to be destroyed.”
“Destroyed? Wow. Are you okay?”
“I’m still a bit shaken. I lost everything … my home, friends … everything.”
“Are you alone?”
“Well, that’s probably the hardest part. I lost a lot in that city. But the thing that was most dear to me I actually lost as I was leaving.”
“What was that?”
“My beloved wife. I lost her as we were fleeing.”
“I’m so sorry. Some type of accident as you were leaving?”
“Not exactly. We were warned by an angel that the city was going to be destroyed. I’ll be the first to admit that the way people lived there was somewhat less than decent.”
“If that smoke is a response to the evil in it, I think ‘somewhat less than decent’ is an understatement.”
“Fair enough. Anyway, we were told to leave, to flee. To run as fast as we could.”
“So what happened?”
“Well, we were also told one other thing. We were told specifically to … not look back.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, it did seem strange but the instruction was clear. Leave the city and make sure, no matter what, to NOT look back. So we ran. Then fire and hail started to rain down on the city. The smell of burning coal was everywhere, as were the horrific sounds of people dying. But I did as the angel told us … keep running and don’t look back.”
“And?”
“I guess my wife couldn’t resist. She stopped. She must have been overwhelmed by the moment or perhaps there was a longing for our former life in her heart or simple curiosity. I don’t know. Whatever the case … she looked back.”
“What happened to her?”
“In an instant, she was gone. I heard her crying and then … nothing. I wanted to look in her direction but that would’ve required looking back. So I backed up and saw a pile of salt on the ground.”
“Salt? Wow! I’m really sorry.”
“Me too. I miss her so. But the angel’s message rang so clear in me. Guess I can’t blame someone for not being curious about what was going on. Can’t change it now though.”
“Well, honestly, it does seem harsh.”
“At first I thought so too. But my uncle always told me growing up that the key to living a life in peace with God is to obey His commands. Yet he would always remind us to never underestimate the consequences for not doing so. He’d always say, ‘God gives commands, not suggestions.’”
“You uncle sounds like a very wise man.”
“Yeah, uncle Abe is the best. I’m trying to find him now.”
“Well, if I see him in my travels, I’ll tell him you’re looking for him Tol.”
“Thanks but … um, he won’t know me by that name.”
“Oh? What’s your real name?”
“It’s Lot. I guess I was still a bit shaken by the whole thing. So I reversed the letters in my name. If you see my uncle, tell him Lot is looking for him.”
“I’m so very sorry for all that has happened to you.”
“It feels so different. Life seemed so simple a moment ago. Now, I’ve lost everything. I guess the reality is not everything. God is still here. I’m thankful He’ll be with me as I try to get through this.”
“But, aren’t you angry at Him?”
“A little. Okay, maybe a lot. But I won’t resolve anything by turning away from Him. Besides, He blessed my family with a way out. Blaming Him for my wife not being is pointless … and, in truth, it’s not accurate.”
“You do your uncle proud, Lot. Peace on your journey, my friend.”
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.
God Bless~
Cathy
If he did not get on with her I would not expect a song and dance, but even that would create an emotion; perhaps a guilt. But for me, this needed a little more at that point in the story.
In every other way, all credit to a great job.