Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Blue (10/08/09)
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TITLE: Out of the Blue | Previous Challenge Entry
By Machele Harrison
10/15/09 -
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“You’re supposed to be one of the best contractors on this side of the city. My home should not be taking this long to complete!” I snapped. I was so frustrated that only the basic floor plans were built after one year of work.
“We’re moving as quickly as we can, Daryl, but I’m down eight men.” He stated while sighing in frustration. Apparently several men had experienced back injuries while at another job site.
Over the next several months, work was getting done more quickly but I started noticing major and “out of the blue” deviations from my designs. “Kevin, what are you doing? That’s not how I designed the sunroom, the master bedroom, or the four main baths!” I growled. My inner animal wanted to rip Kevin to shreds and did. I didn’t even give him a chance to answer. I continued to roar, “You’re fired! Get everyone out of here immediately, and I’m not paying for any work done for the last six months!”
Twelve months later my home was in-line with my plans and complete, thanks to the Starson Group. Finally, I felt like I had truly gotten to the gold at the end of the rainbow. However, this was short-lived. Only three months passed before I realized that there really wasn’t a pot of gold and that my rainbow was swallowed up by never-ending clouds.
This nightmare began when “out of the blue” an earthquake hit New York City. It left the entire state in a shock that could have broken the Richter Scale. I was safe and about ten minutes away from home. I rushed there. “NO! NO! NO!,“ I violently sobbed when the mirror of reality knocked me out of my denial. All other homes nearby were also destroyed, so why would I think that mine would remain? The master bedroom and sunroom were all that still stood. I kept thinking ‘UUGGHH! All that work, money, time, and beauty are now in the abyss!’ After what seemed like five hours, I was shaken from my selfish pity by moaning. Someone was moaning from amongst my rubble home! I began searching and calling to whomever it was but couldn’t see anyone. I soon realized that in order to save his or her life I needed help, so I quickly dialed ‘911’ on my cell phone. Luckily, help came about a half-hour later, which was a miracle since the whole city was in need. About an hour later the medical crew found the stranger in the rubble and raced him to the hospital. I did not get a chance to see who it was until I arrived there.
It was KEVIN, “OUT OF THE BLUE!” “What were you doing at my home? The doctor says you have a broken leg and fractured wrist, but that you should heal smoothly. You could have been killed!” I exclaimed while instantaneously realizing that I had a surge of compassion running through my normally self-centered veins.
Painfully he replied, “I was a block from your home when the earthquake hit. I was on my way over to apologize to you for deviating so badly from your home designs and breaching the contract by performing horrible work. When the earthquake hit, I was afraid you might have been injured and ran to your home to see. I looked all over for you when some debris from the house fell on my leg and arm.”
I stood there stunned and ashamed of myself. When the earthquake hit, I cared more about my home than anyone else, while Kevin cared more about me than his own agenda. I didn’t know how to tell him what a friend he truly was and I was not. I was trying to formulate words when Kevin motioned me not to say anything and instead said, “God holds the blueprints of our lives. He allows what seem like “out of the blue” events to show us when we are not following His blueprint.”
I suddenly realized that the Architect of my life needed to get my attention because I was not following HIS blueprint, not in attitude, not in mind, not in life. I’m so thankful that Kevin was part of God’s design for my life.
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