Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Evangelism (11/01/07)
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TITLE: A Little Child Shall Lead | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kelli Young
11/07/07 -
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Grandma looked down towards Mattie and saw both hope and fear radiating through her granddaughter’s blue eyes. Grandma wanted to tell her she could stay forever but instead she said, “I would love it, but we need to call your momma first.”
Mattie’s face fell to the ground and she whispered “ok” as if the answer would be no.
Evie answered the phone. “Evie, dear this is your mother-in-law.”
“Oh, hi mom. How is Mattie doing?”
“She is fine. She wants to stay the night. Do you mind?”
“Tonight would be good. Devon will be out tonight.”
“Are you ok dear?”
“I’m a bit tired. Didn’t sleep well last night, Evie said brushing her hair over the swollen bruise on her cheek as if her mother in law could see through the phone.
“Alright, then I will take care of Mattie tonight. Good-bye.”
“Good-bye.”
________
“Grandma, will you sing me a song?” as she climbed on her lap.
“Umm you smell so good after your bath.”
“It’s your new soap grandma.”
“It smells especially yummy on you, she said tickling Mattie and hugging her. A peaceful silence filled the room as Jane rocked her precious granddaughter. She began to sing:
Jesus, Jesus loves Mattie yes He does, yes He does. Jesus, Jesus loves Mattie yes He does, yes He does. Jesus, Jesus loves Mattie yes He does, and I know that Mattie loves Jesus too.
Jane could feel Mattie relaxing and sang it over her until she was softly breathing. Grandma knew her beloved granddaughter was safe, at least tonight. "Jesus you see what horrible things this little lamb of yours goes through. I am helpless to stop it, but you are not. Please Lord, protect my precious baby from the wrath of her father and keep her safe." Jane laid her sleeping bundle down on the bed, covered her, and kissed her cheek.
________
Momma, look at the pretty picture I drew for you at school today. Evie picked up the paper and stared at it as though she were far away.
“Momma, do you like?”
“I love it doll. Let’s put the pretty picture on the refrigerator.”
All of sudden they heard cursing and stopped talking. Devon kicked something and the sound of twisted metal hit the pavement. “Mattie, what is your bike doing on my walkway? Get out here!”
Mattie clung to momma.
“Mattie, your papa is drunk again. Quickly now, run to your room and lock the door.”
Mattie obeyed and ran as fast as she could.
“Devon slammed open the door. Where is Madalyn?”
“She is at a friend’s house,” Evie said with her head down.
Devon grabbed her chin and jerked it up. “Look at me when I talk to you! Where is she?”
“She isn’t here.”
Woman you are lying!” Devon slapped her already bruised face. He pushed her up against the wall with his hands around her neck. Suddenly he heard singing. He threw Evie down and stomped out of the room down the hall.
“Madelyn Louise open that door!”
Mattie didn’t move. She continued to rock on her bed and sing the same song grandma sang to her the night before.
“I will break this door down if you don’t open it now!”
“Please Devon don’t hurt her. She is just a little girl,” Evie said begging.
“Woman this is none of your affair,” and he slugged her in the face with such force blood began to pour out of her nose.
Rage filled Devon and he kicked with all his might until the door broke.
He intended to beat Mattie, but when he saw her shaking and singing, he stopped. She sang the verse again.
Devon fell to his knees and began weeping. Mattie stopped singing and climbed off her bed. She gently laid her hand on her papa’s back and sang.
Jesus, Jesus loves daddy yes He does, yes He does. Jesus, Jesus loves daddy yes He does, yes He does. Jesus, Jesus loves daddy yes he does, and I know that daddy loves Jesus too.
Devon looked up and the angry man’s countenance had changed. “My momma used to sing that song to me and I believed her. Mattie, daddy has been so wrong please forgive me. I love you honey.”
“It’s ok daddy. Jesus forgives you and so do I.”
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