Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Proverbs 30:5 (04/20/23)
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TITLE: The Forest | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Meiners
04/23/23 -
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It was no big deal, walking through this forest of trees. At least that is what I told myself. I had done it hundreds of times. I walked through in the dead of winter when the trees were snow-covered and the path icy from the packed, unshoveled snow. During the spring/summer months when the trees were lush and green. In the fall when every color of the rainbow graced the ground floor with their multi-colored leaves. In fact, this short walk through these trees became my sanctuary. A time when I would reflect on the wonders of God, his promises, and the closeness I felt to Him, repeating verses my Sunday School teacher had taught me so I would not be afraid.
“My enemies did their best to kill me, but the Lord rescued me.”
“Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.”
“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings,, His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”
This particular Friday was no different than any other - or so I thought. It was a warm evening for the beginning of fall. The trees had not, as yet, dropped their leaves, so their fullness added to the isolated feel of the forest. I had taken this trip many times after attending a school event. Never have I felt afraid.
Leaving my friends behind, I began the short half-mile walk home. The game ended early. Nine o’clock to be exact, so it wasn’t overly dark when I left the football field. My friend Susie walked part way with me, then I finished the rest of the trip alone.
I entered the stand of trees as I had on many other nights, however, this night felt “different”. For the first time ever I had a tinge of fear run through my veins.
“Why is that?” I pondered.
I stopped, looked and listened. I thought I heard heavy breathing somewhere around me.
Should I run? Should I scream? Should I turn around? Was someone here?
“God, what should I do?” I whispered.
“Keep going,” the voice seemed to say.
“Are you with me?” I asked.
“Yes,” the voice replied.
As I walked forward, I repeated the Scripture I learned in Sunday School. With each step my voice grew louder, the Scripture clearer, until I was practically shouting the promises I had learned.
“COVER ME WITH YOUR FEATHERS!”
By the time I reached the end of the tree-line I was out-of-breath from running. I looked back and saw two figures running in the opposite direction.
The next day at school my best friend Susie came to me and asked, “Are you okay?”
“Of course I’m okay, why wouldn’t I be,” I answered.
“Well I heard two guys from the opposing team were following you home.”
“What? Why would they do that?”
“They heard that you won the fifty-fifty last night and was carrying one hundred dollars on your person. Guess they wanted the money. You want to know the best part?”
“There’s a best part?”
“Yep. When they got close to you they heard you talking and you had two huge guys walking with you, on either side. Guess they decided they didn’t want to fight those guys you were with. Who were you with anyway?”
“Just Jesus and me,” I said shyly.
“Good one,” laughed Susie.
“No seriously,” I said. “I just kept repeating those Scriptures we learned in Sunday School about Jesus defending us and that we can count on God’s word. Apparently God proved it to be true by sending his protection. Isn’t God great?”
“Wow, what a story. What a great God we have,” declared Susie.
“I would love to see the look on those guys faces when they find out what they saw was an angel,” I laughed.
“Indeed, ‘Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection,’” I confidently declared.
Story is Fiction
Psalm 118:13 - NLT
Psalm 16:1 - NLT
Psalm 91:4 - NLT
Psalm 30:5 - NLT
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Nicely done.
Blessings~
I felt like the word "walk" was over used. For me, the thesaurus is a great tool. There are many different words to use that mean the same thing. They can spice up your story.
I've had encounters like that, but never have they been verified by witnesses!