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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Shhh. (02/18/10)
He is Saying, "Shhhh"

The old man sat on the bench watching the movement of life around him. Rarely moving his head,
rarely focusing on anything in particular he just sat. From a short distance away I watched him closely,
focusing on the gray stubble that clung to his cheeks, his piercing blue eyes that seemed to focus on
nothing but saw everything, the old worn hat that perched precariously on his tousled gray hair, and
his gnarled hands that clung tightly to a cane held firmly between his legs.

I watched, mesmerized, for more than a quarter of an hour before he turned his head and focused his
gaze on me. He didn’t say a word but his eyes were strangely inviting as a slight smile creased his
weathered face. I was drawn to him. His whole countenance radiated warmth, acceptance, and
welcome. I walked up to him and prepared to introduce myself.

“Shhh…”, he whispered.

Slightly taken aback I paused and then drew in breath to speak again.

“Shhhh…”, the tone never wavered, showed no frustration, but clearly was a command.

I waited. Time passed and I continued to wait. Soon I was started to get fidgety and mildly
frustrated. I am sure that my feelings were clearly visible. Finally when I thought I would lose all
composure and blurt out something just to break the silence he said, “Can you hear Him?”

“Can I hear who?” I asked hesitantly.

“Him, God.” My quizzical look must have answered his question because he whispered “Shhh”.

Once again I waited, watching him. Time stretched, my patience stretched with it. Soon irritation
started to rise and quickly turned to defensive anger. Just as I prepared myself to say something the
old man spoke up again, “When Ezekiel was troubled God told him he would come. First came a
mighty wind but God was not there, then came an earthquake, but God was not in the earthquake,
then came a roaring fire but God was not in the fire then came a gentle whisper and Ezekiel went out
and heard God.”

“Why do you tell me this?”

“A few months ago I lost my dear wife, I cried out to God, I yelled and even cursed Him. I asked Him to
speak to me, explain to me. I begged, I prayed, I cried out….and I never heard Him. In Church I
would listen for Him in the pastor’s message. Although I heard about Him I never heard Him. A
month ago I found out I was not long for this world. Again I sought God in prayer, in Church, in Holy
counsel. I read the Bible seeking Him out. I learned much but I never heard Him. A week ago I came
to this park and screamed at God until I was exhausted. As I sat on this very bench, worn out
physically, mentally, and spiritually I heard Him.”

“What did He say to you?”

“Shhhh. He told me to be quiet and listen. So I was quiet and then I could hear Him. He had been
talking to me all the time, but I was so loud I could not hear Him. I had been so busy focusing on the
noises that fill my life, loud in my prayers, loud in my thoughts, loud in my pride, and very loud in my
pain. He waited for me to be still so He could speak to me and help me to be quiet. My mind let go
of its worry, my prayers let go of their desperation, my thoughts let go of their fears, and my pain…my
pain let go of me.”

“That must be wonderful.”

“It is, indeed it is. When I get up from here and return to my house my mind will start worrying, my
prayers will start to grow more desperate, my thoughts will grow more fearful, and my pain and my
loss will start to grab me again. Tomorrow I will return here and let God shhh me again and take my
rest in this refuge of silence and peace He has brought me to. This is the first time I have broken that
silence since that first day while still sitting on this park bench.”

“Why did you?”

“Because I heard God say Shhh again, but this time He was speaking to you.”
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This article has been read 752 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Cindy Carver
02/26/10
Cute story, good message for all of us. For me, the title kind of distracted me, but I enjoyed the story. The ending gave me a chuckle.
Donna Wolther
02/26/10
I can identify with the old man and I liked the story. The ending was great.
Verna Mull
02/26/10
This was a very impressive story. Well done.
mick dawson
02/28/10
Loved it; you won't be in Beginners for long with writing like that.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
03/01/10
This is such a great message. The spacing was a little distracting, but many of us get that problem once in a while. Make sure you hit the preview button, before you submit so you can see what it'll look like once it's posted.

But the message was invaluable. I especially liked how the old man turned it around on the MC in the end. Job well done.
Mark Kinsman
03/01/10
Outstanding job, this should be your lastweek in beginners, great truth.
Jan Ackerson
03/02/10
Your nameless characters sort of gave this the feeling of an allegory for me...interesting writing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
03/04/10
Congratulations on a job well done. Looking forward to seeing you in level 2 and I'm sure shortly after in level 3!
AnneRene' Capp
03/04/10
You spoke to my heart and because of it...I heard God speaking to me also. I have been ministered to, thank you.
Margaret Kearley
03/04/10
Wow! Wonderful. A real blessing to read.
Steven Kellen
03/05/10
Thank you for sharing the quiet of your park bench. When I finished reading it I heard, "Shhhh."
Lyn Churchyard
03/07/10
Wonderful entry, well deserving of a first place. Congratulations.