Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Day's End (01/01/14)
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TITLE: The Lord Will Provide | Previous Challenge Entry
By Amelia Brown
01/09/14 -
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If anyone had told me two days ago that I would be this happy tonight, I would have thought that person was telling a cruel joke. Just forty-eight hours ago, I woke up feeling like the undersides of overworn boots. I dragged myself out of bed with a heavy heart. Instead of choosing to fight, I opt for making peace with sadness and depression. My old bones are brittle and my speed has declined, yet, age was not the source of my sluggish movements or my pain.
You see, the night before I had been given a horrifying command. I've been given difficult orders before, but this one hit a little too close to my heart.
That morning, in spite of my pain I forced myself to get dress then went for breakfast. My wife prepared a scrumptious meal; I knew the taste would be as yummy as it smelled divine. Nevertheless, this conclusion only came from past experiences, as not even a crumb found its way in my mouth.
“Why aren’t you eating honey? Don't you love my early bird special?” She asked.
“You know me too well dear. I just have a lot on my mind.”
Even though my gaze was fixed on my plate, my inner eyes fast-forwarded to the dreadful days ahead. I was so preoccupied that I didn't notice my son enter the room, until I felt his warm embrace.
“Morning Dad.” As he made his way over to his chair he grabbed an apple and tossed it up behind his back, skillfully catching it before it hit the floor.
Normally I would have admonished him for playing juggler with the fruits, but this morning I couldn't bring myself to scold him.
“Morning son, you slept well?”
“Yup. What are we doing today?”
I opened my mouth to answer but I could find no words to describe the task that I was duty bound to perform. Probably because there's none. I picked up my plate and turned away in time before the streams of tears escaped and made their way down my face, landing on my coat.
“We're going on a three day journey so hurry up and get your things together.”
Later when my wife hugged me goodbye, I could feel the trust she had in me. And as she eased back to let me go she stared lovingly in my eyes; exposing the confidence she had in knowing I would keep her only boy safe on the trip. My heart sank. Her faith in me served only to amplify my guilt and I felt as if I deserved the mark of Cain on my forehead.
While en route, I tried hard to keep on my everything-is-okay face but my synthetic smile and troubled eyes kept revealing the truth. Though being uncertain if my other two companions recognized it, there was no doubt that my smart son saw right through my facade.
The third day came, and it was no longer possible to hide the truth. I was feeling even worst than when I started this journey. I knew what I had to do. Not only that, but my son was catching on too.
“Dad I see the wood and the fire, but where's the lamb for the sacrifice?” He asked.
Again, I hid my tears. “God will provide,” I muttered.
As I made the final preparations, I was numb–phlegmatic even. You would be too...if you were about to kill your son. Nothing on earth could prepare me for what I was about to do; that's why my sanity and trust remained in God. I couldn't make sense of his odd request, still, I had faith. In my heart I knew everything would work out, but I just couldn't see a happy ending.
Yet, here I stand at day's end. Beaming. My happily-ever-after was not lost after all. God's angel had spoken just in time, rescuing Isaac from my obedience. God provided a ram to be sacrificed and my son was spared. He was just testing my faithfulness. Now I'm the happiest man alive. I would never have been able to predict such a joyous ending–but make no mistake–I'm not complaining. I hugged Isaac so tight I almost undid the blessing. In addition, I think this smile is permanent because it refuses to leave my face. What began as a cumbersome day now climaxes in merry singing and light laughter at the place I call The Lord Will Provide.
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I did not guess until nearly the end that it was the Abraham and Isaac story.
God bless~
I have one teensy comment on mechanics: there's a difference between "Why aren't you eating honey?" and "Why aren't you eating, honey?" (When addressing a person, always set off their name with a comma).
I loved your narrator's authentic voice; his pain and relief were both very real.