Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: FRAGILE (02/23/17)
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TITLE: An Encounter with God | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dot Hannah
03/01/17 -
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I closed my eyes; then, slowly I turned from the window to face my husband. He stood looking at me in his curious, expressionless way. For so long I had only gone through the motions, giving the least I could give, and I had no inclination to change, not even for him. For over a year, my grief had held me hostage and overwhelmed all other feelings.
Three years after we were married, I got pregnant with our first child. We learned the baby was a girl, and we were overjoyed. But after eight months, I noticed the baby had stopped kicking. Our deepest fears were confirmed after a sonogram. Our baby had died, and my lingering grief had dragged on and on.
“The Steins have asked us out for dinner,” Oliver said, breaking the silence. Naturally, I didn’t want to go. I could have contentedly collapsed at home for the rest of my days. However, lacking an excuse I asked, “What time?” He kissed me on the cheek and casually said, “Seven.” When the clock in the corner started to toll six, I forced myself to get dressed.
To my surprise, I found dining with the Steins very enjoyable. Jack was a business associate of Oliver’s, and I was immediately drawn to his wife, Charlotte. She was so warm and kind, and in the coming days, we became close friends. Charlotte was confined to a wheel chair because of a diving accident ten years earlier. I was amazed at her sheer tenacity to keep her attention focused on the sunny side of life, no matter her circumstances. I asked, “Why are you always so exuberant and upbeat?” “It’s not always easy, but I refuse to allow anything to hold me captive and keep me from experiencing an abundant life in Christ,” she responded. I had no idea what she was talking about, but I did know I wanted what she had.
Several days later, I met her and her nurse at a nearby restaurant for lunch. I was a nervous wreck. It had been an exceptionally depressing day for me, and when she began her normal happy dialogue, I abruptly interrupted her and said, “All this religious junk you believe is a lot of nonsense.” She calmly said, “Linda, we humans just don’t know what to do with suffering, but God loves us and wants to help. May I pray with you?” Her voice was so soothing and compassionate, I immediately said, “Yes.” There in the middle of a crowded restaurant, she prayed that I would have an encounter with God. I could not understand, but somehow, as tears welled up in my eyes, I felt a sense of peace.
That afternoon I began in earnest to master my raw emotions. Unexplainable even to myself, I expected to encounter God, and I did. Like a beacon in the midst of darkness, He showed up. I thought to myself, “If Charlotte is disabled and still loves life so much, I know with God’s help there is hope for me.” I would never be free from the memory of what caused my pain, but I so desired to be free from the emotional trauma that resulted from it. Oliver quickly noticed that I had changed from a sad, fragile, woman into a positive, jubilant one. He said, “What’s going on with you?” I said, “I am ashamed of how I have acted so long.” I attempted to explain, but how does one explain an encounter with God? Seeing my transformation and listening to my explanation, Oliver said, “I’m happy for you.” In a matter of months we both encountered God in an amazing way. I learned I was pregnant again. This convinced Oliver God is loving and faithful.
On the night of our daughter’s arrival, I had a vague feeling of impending doom. Would something go wrong? It was a wild night, wind howling, and rain beating and splashing against the windows. My dear friend, Charlotte, called and prayed with us, “Lord, please give Linda strength to deliver a healthy baby and both courage to trust God with the outcome.” He did. Emily Grace was perfect and more stunning than the devastating pain I had felt over our previous loss. Dazzled and delighted, I thanked God and said, “I look forward to the coming years of playing, dancing and laughing with our beautiful new daughter and what You have planned for all of us.”
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For red ink I would suggest you break the paragraphs up, especially between the dialogs of different people.