Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: PROCRASTINATE (08/04/16)
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TITLE: A Matter Of Life And Death | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sandra Wells
08/11/16 -
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“I can’t, Charlie. It’s too important. I told you what the Youth pastor said about procrastination being the devil’s biggest weapon, and then I had that HORRIBLE dream about you dying…Charlie please slow down I can’t keep up.” Sue puffed.
“That’s the idea. It was just a stupid dream, Sue. I’m not gonna die so just leave me alone.” Charlie planted his feet and turned toward his sister, shooting a look that would have caused any normal person to wither. But, Sue wasn’t any normal person.
“It wasn’t just a stupid dream, Charlie. It scared me to death,” Sue huffed as she stumbled and clawed her way up the graveled incline. “Why won’t you talk to me about Jesus? It’s a matter of life and death…yours”
Charlie rolled his eyes, “Give me a break Sue. I’m not gonna die, and besides I believe in God. I go to church don’t I? I believe the whole Jesus thing. He was born on Christmas, died on a cross, and then there’s Easter. I’m good.” Charlie turned around and continued his climb. “Oh my gosh Sue,” he yelled as he heard her stumbling behind him. “Just leave me alone.” Charlie picked up his pace the best he could: the trail was steeper and more treacherous than he had anticipated.
“Just tell me why, Charlie.”
“Why what?
“Why you won’t ask Jesus into your heart? He’s so amazing and He loves you so much”
Charlie stopped and glanced back at his sister. He had to give her credit she wasn’t a quitter: gawky, clumsy and annoyingly optimistic—usually—but not a quitter. “Why’s it so important to you?”
Sue stopped dead, a look of utter bewilderment on her face. “Because I love you, Charlie. You’re my brother.”
“Okay, fine, I’ll tell you.” he sighed, “It’s the whole becoming a new person thing. I like who I am. I mean look at me,” Charlie spread his arms out. “I’m just not ready yet for all that being saved stuff. I have a lot to do in my life first. I’ll do it later. Promise.”
“But what if there’s not a later, Charlie?”
“There’s always a later, Sue. Now just leave me alone and go back to the camp before you get hurt.” Charlie turned his back to his sister, grabbed a small outcropping and scaled the steep rock face: finally pulling himself onto the path above, where he was able to pick up the pace. No way she could follow him now.
Her scream said otherwise. “Charlie, HELP.”
Charlie tore back down the trail, “I’m coming Sue, hold on.” Sliding to a stop he dropped to his belly and peered over the cliff’s edge.
“Charlie, Help me. My fingers are slipping.” Just feet below, Sue dangled from a narrow outcropping.
“Grab my hand Sue,” Charlie commanded as he strained to reach her. “Reach Sue. Reach for my hand.”
“I can’t. I’m…I’m slipping Charlie.” Sue cried, her eyes pleading. “You can do this Charlie…I know you can.”
He looked about frantically, there had to be something. Anything. “Jesus, please help me save my sister,” he prayed aloud. The branch. He hadn’t seen it before. Rolling to his side Charlie grabbed the fallen limb and lowered it down toward Sue, “Grab the branch Sue and use your feet to walk up while I pull. Come on you can do it.” Sue did exactly as Charlie instructed. Up, up, up she went until she fell into her brother’s arms.
Charlie held his sister tight, tears coursing down his face. “You could have been killed Sue. Why? Why’d you do it?”
“Seriously? I love you, Charlie and Jesus loves you too. Can’t you love Him back? After all He helped you save me. Right?”
“The branch…Oh Sue, I’m so sorry. Yes. Yes I can love Him back. Please forgive me Jesus for being such a jerk,” Charlie prayed through tears, “Please come into my heart, Lord. I’m ready if you are.”
“Oh, He’s more than ready Charlie.” Sue exclaimed, hugging her brother tighter.
“Hey…wait. I thought I died in your dream,”
Sue grinned, “A part of you would’ve died if I had. Right?”
Charlie hugged his sister all the tighter, “A very big part, Sue,”
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