Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 30:5 (04/20/23)
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TITLE: Hope | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dennis Gallemore
04/26/23 -
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“What a fine Colorado morning, Alice, my dear neighbor.”
Alice swiveled her head, swallowing hard. “Maybe, if you could be indoors instead of out here on the street, Tom.”
He rubbed his grizzled beard thoughtfully as he studied the tent he resided in. “Maybe I could buy a house and rent my tent out.”
Clambering to her feet, Alice stretched and made her way to the entrance of her friend’s tent. “Who’s turn is it to buy breakfast?”
Standing, Tom pulled a threadbare coat on and bowed slightly. “I believe that the honor is mine, madam.”
She slid an arm through his crooked one. “Right, then. How about Al’s Diner? I’ve heard that their biscuits and gravy is to die for. There’s just one little problem: they charge for the pleasure of dining there.”
Tom gave her a wink. “Not for me, my lady, nor for my guests. Besides, today is special. It’s Christmas Eve. Al and the gang serve free breakfast and lunch today.”
She managed a slight smile. “Then to Al’s Diner we shall go.”
***
“Here we are, my lady!” Tom opened the restaurant’s door. “Christmas Eve breakfast courtesy of a fine gentleman.”
Alice, excited but nervous, followed him into the diner, the door closing behind her. “Are you sure they will let us be in here?”
“Welcome! Come in!” A tall, barrel-chested man stood smiling behind the diner’s service counter. “Step up and let me know what you’d like. Just so you know, it’s all good and it’s all free today!”
They threaded their way through the crowded room to the counter. “I’d like some biscuits and gravy,” Alice said, her eyes on the floor.
“And I’ll take buttermilk pancakes and sausage patties,” Tom said, his eyes on the large bowl of assorted donuts resting on the counter. “And maybe a donut.”
Al threw his head back and laughed. “How about two donuts? Find a table and have a seat and we’ll have those out to you in a jiff. Coffee and orange juice for both of you, too.”
Looking up, Alice smiled. “Thank you. No one does much for us in the street. I’m not used to that.”
Al grinned. “Well, it’s like this. Jesus said to love God and love people. That’s what I do, day in and day out. I trust in Him.” Reaching down behind the counter, he retrieved a bible and handed it across the counter to her. “It’s all in here.”
Taking it gingerly, she held the book in her hands. “I’ve never had a bible before. My mother had one, but she died when I was little. I don’t know what happened to it.”
Tom snorted. “Little good that book will do you, Alice. I read it years ago, back when I was a teacher, before I lost my wife. It’s full of God’s promises, all right, but none of them worked out for me.”
Placing two beefy arms on the counter, Al leaned toward them. “I’m sorry about that, Tom. You and I have talked about this before. The Good Book says that you can believe in His promises; you can lean on Him. It doesn’t say that bad things won’t happen to you.”
“Then what good is it?” Tom asked.
Al plucked a donut from the bowl. “It’s like this donut. I can tell you that it’s good, that it truly tastes good, but you have to take a bite for yourself. You said you read the Bible, but in order to experience all that God promises, you have to believe. Faith is a work in process. Bad things happen but God is still there and His promises are still as solid as they day He spoke them.”
Alice opened the bible. “Can His promises get me off the street?”
Al nodded. “His word, His promises, can achieve anything. He sent his only Son to save the world. God’s word is true; His promises are true. He can help you through his written word and folks like me, well, we help out by doing His work.”
Alice plucked a donut from the bowl. “Tell me more.”
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I really enjoyed this piece.
Blessings~