Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ALONE (10/20/22)
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TITLE: Tranquil Pastures & Streets of Gold | Previous Challenge Entry
By C D Swanson
10/25/22 -
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She just merely enjoyed solitude. Reading was her favorite pastime, mystery novels most notably. However, the gem of her colossal book collection, was the Holy Bible.
Agatha, a retired chaplain and nurse, worked her entire career in Ethiopia. Her stories, and varied escapades, were welcomed by anyone who was fortunate to have known this great lady.
The countless lives she changed, and saved, and endless devotion to her missionary work, was unfathomable to most.
“Agatha, it’s time for your meds, and lunch is about to be served. Do you want to join the others?”
She pulled her glasses off with regal authority, as she glanced up at me. Her faded blue eyes, framed by well-earned creases, only helped to accentuate her kind face overall. Her listless thin hair was secured into a tidy bun, as wisps of snow-white strands, dangled across her cheekbones.
She was tall and frail, and her hands would always smell like vanilla pods. Her favorite lotion, simple and classic, “Vanilla Cream” of which she kept well stocked.
“No, I don’t wish to join the others. I’m enjoying the tranquil sights of nature.” She pointed at birds, sampling an array of tantalizing seeds, from a feeder. A red Cardinal caught Agatha’s eye. “Isn’t he simply stunning?”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Come here Missy, sit awhile. Take some time to rest. Lord knows, your name is the one being paged all day long. Saints alive, doesn’t anyone else work around here, besides you?”
I laughed, “Agatha, you’re a sweetheart. We all work around here…and you know that.”
She chuckled, “Well, I suspect you’re the easiest going of the employees. Plus, you’re the boss, so that speaks volumes.”
“I think you’re quite biased my friend. But thank you, for your sweet words.”
She fell quiet while she gazed out the picture window. “Missy, do you suppose the streets are really gold? Are the meadows even greener, than outside this window?”
“I believe it’s probably the most beautiful place ever, and one day we will see. Wherever Jesus is, there will be an abundance of shiny gold and lights of awe.”
“Yes, there’ll be no need for sunshine anymore, or light. As He will be it.” She bowed her head and sighed. “I’m tired, if you’ll excuse me. I’d like to take a nap.”
“Of course. Are you okay?”
“Yes, just tired. Please, hand me those poison pellets.” She swallowed the pills, then abruptly took my hand into hers. “I have never told you why I prefer to be alone. I’d like to share the reason with you now, okay?”
I nodded my head, as I held her cold thin blue veined hand.
“When I was a chaplain missionary, it was a blessing, and so very rewarding. There was a non-stop whirlwind of activities from sunup to sundown. And within that realm, there was danger, heartache, separation, anxiety, tears, joy, disappointments, achievements, and lots of love. But I never had a moment to myself the entire time I served. But thanked God for using me as His instrument, and vessel. So, after years of service, I’d become a polar opposite of what I was, prior to retirement. Now I absolutely crave silence, and moments by myself. That may sound selfish, but I know God understands. This is a new and different season in my life. I’m out to pasture, in a glorious sort of way. God seems to have given me early rewards here and now, by allowing a reclusive lifestyle. He seems to be saying, ‘it’s okay my faithful servant, relax.’ And that is just fine with me.”
She kissed my hand and continued, “Have a good long life, make the most of each day. Never back down, from any challenge that can exalt God. And remember, happiness is always about making the right choices. I chose to follow God, for which I was always happy.”
My eyes watered over, “Thank you for sharing…”
When I walked out of Agatha’s room, I had an entirely new level of respect for her. I’d always admired her tenacity and faith. However, it grew exponentially after her disclosure, of why she chose to stay by herself.
Amazing woman, amazing life, amazing servant.
“So,tell me Agatha, are the streets really gold?”
Based on a true story.
Revelation 21:21 (KJV) – “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”
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