Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Truth or Dare (08/28/08)
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TITLE: The Crash | Previous Challenge Entry
By Amanda Gray
08/29/08 -
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Carrie sank into the sofa, hugging a cushion, seeking comfort. Dissatisfied, she reached for wine, trying to anesthetise the rising tide of pain. Tears fell, sapping, dehydrating, leaving her limp and spent.
Echoing in her mind was the ceremony just left. It was intended to be the end. A good-bye, a farewell, a celebration of a friend. But for Carrie it was a catalyst, the origin of a mortal struggle.
For Grace had proudly borne the title “born-again Christian”. She didn’t preach, she didn’t speak unsolicited. She just loved and lived with integrity. She shone. She cared. She also erred. But when that occurred, she took time to repair any unintended offence.
But Carrie was pragmatic, scientific, hooked on logic. She was distressed and unexpectedly passionate when Grace spoke of heaven. It didn’t make sense that someone so balanced, intelligent, grounded as Grace could believe in what was only a “fairy story”. Intangible, without evidence. Something imagined, to comfort the grieving. A cruel joke that brought false hope. That’s how Carrie saw it.
They had argued, equally adamant about their respective truths. The argument was circular, perpetual and intensely frustrating. Carrie became sarcastic and unintentionally mocking. Grace simply smiled, hugged her, and said “I wish you could see.”
It was the ultimate contradiction. How could you “see” something unreal? But Carrie was tired of arguing. She brushed it off and went on living.
But then there was the accident. It had thrown her back, her soul flailing and plunging with whip lash. It had sent her to a bruising, jarring, crushing stop. Complacency was not an option. Closely, inescapably she faced death. She needed to know the truth.
“What is the truth?” Carrie had asked herself as she sat at the funeral. How could she know? But then she was lost in the shuffling crowd as they tried to cope with the wave of emotion as Grace’s father stood up and spoke.
“Grace planned her funeral. She wanted me to read Matthew 22:1-14 from the Amplified version. The kingdom of heaven is like a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son….”
The words wound their way through her foggy grief, through ears crowded and muted with memories. But as they penetrated, Carrie’s indignation grew. Grace had resumed their argument, unfairly challenging from the grave.
Do you dare to continue through life ignoring eternity when faced with mortality? Are you willing to take a chance that God, heaven and hell don’t exist?
The mourning father’s voice had broken. She tried to focus on the words:
“Verse 12: And he said, Friend, how did you come in here without putting on the appropriate wedding garment? And he was speechless. Verse 13: Then the king said to the attendants, Tie him hand and food, and throw him into the darkness outside; there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Verse 14: For many are called, invited and summoned, but few are chosen.”
Shocked silence had fallen. He took a deep breath. “Grace chose this because she wanted us to know that she was ready for the banquet. She had taken the clothes God offered. She is safe and celebrating.
“Would it be the same for you?”
It had been unbearable, emotions indefinable. The bitterness tightened, stiffened her body as though preparing for a blow. She would not let it crush her, make her irrational.
But with the interminable service over, quick hugs exchanged, she ran home to hide. Burying herself, she tried to dam the flow driving the course of life. With weakening conviction, she fought the thought of indefinable dimensions.
What is the truth? How can you know?
The echo of Grace replied, “I know because the Bible says. The Bible’s right ‘cause it’s God’s Word. I choose to believe, I experience the power. I live in eternal hope.”
Is this the truth? How could she know?
Wilted, exhausted, Carrie’s tears spilled with wine. Scared and cold, desperate and heavy, she curled up on the floor. With a rawness, deepness before unknown she groaned, “God, are you there?”
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