Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: CALL (01/14/16)
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TITLE: A Higher Calling | Previous Challenge Entry
By C D Swanson
01/21/16 -
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“I’m fine. I really don’t have anything to say.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear things are about the same. Have you been receiving the meals on time?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Has Bea stopped by to drop off your groceries this week?”
This is where she’d hesitate. In fact, “dramatic pause” would be written if this were a screenplay.
“Well, yes…but, she brought the wrong box of tissues.”
“I’m so sorry Mrs. Johnson. I’d be more than happy to bring you the correct box of tissues if you’d like. I could do that this afternoon. Is that okay?”
“Yes, I’d like that very much. See you then.”
“I look forward to seeing you Mrs. Johnson…bye.”
I knew it was a “ruse” on her part for me to drop by her house. Mrs. Johnson, a widow with no children, was too proud to ask for help, or company. She didn’t want to let on that she was lonely. She was a strong, proud lady. Her outer appearance belied the true “inner” workings of Mrs. Johnson. At least, I believed so…even if no one else agreed. Most of the workers thought she was a crude and ungrateful soul, and felt sorry for her, but nothing more. I felt differently about Mrs. Johnson.
The little brown colonial home was in need of repair, but she refused help from community workers. I rang the bell and listened to the familiar chimes. It took about three minutes before she opened the door.
“Well come on in, come on in.” She stood with her walker and nodded her head. Her beautiful snow white hair pulled into a neat bun, a couple of stray tendrils framed her lovely face.
“Hello Mrs. Johnson, I have your box of tissues right here. I’m sorry about the mix up.”
“No problem, set them right there on the table. Come on in. Want to share a cup of tea with me?”
“I’d love to. Thanks.”
The yellow kitchen smelled like a greasy diner.
“I wouldn’t have bothered you with this, but you know an old fuss-pot like me is used to certain things, and the tissues are one of those things. You understand don’t you?”
“Oh of course, it’s no problem. I’m the same way I truly understand.”
I knew that she needed to bring the tea to the table without help. It was so important to her to do so.
“Okay, here’s the tea.”
She reached for the sugar cubes, and plopped two into her pink china cup.
“Thank you Mrs. Johnson. I don’t know why it is, but your tea is so good. I really love it. Plus, it’s freezing out there, this is perfect.”
“So, tell me Christine. What’s the saying today?”
“Today, I wrote this one down for you.” I placed the note in front of her.
She read it aloud, “ The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17.”
She read it an additional three times.
“I just felt this was what you needed to hear today…”
Her dark brown eyes seemed to come alive as she said, “It was indeed. It was indeed.”
I’d stay in touch with Mrs. Johnson for another year. I knew without a doubt when the phone rang “nine times” that she was gone. I knew that was the day the Lord called her home…
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