God Always Answers | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: God Always Answers | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jim Newton
12/02/14
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Sherman sat hunched-over with head in hands at the kitchen table. He was empty, drained of emotion and life. No sound other than his labored and heavy breathing traveled through what he once called home before his wife of thirty-two years had deserted him by her death. Sunshine persistently knocked quietly at the windows wanting in to brighten the interior and the soul within, but the knocking went unanswered by the life-beaten man inside. A loaded pistol on the table sat there ominously awaiting a tortured hand to make it do its job.

Sherman Watts was a man referred to by many as a mean-spirited individual. People with a better heart suspected the death of the couple's first child at two years of age as being the culprit that brought about the hardening of his heart. Out and about, he treated Mrs. Watts to short-nasty commands. Surprisingly, she would respond to these commands in a very kind and loving manner. One could not help but feel sorry for her and, at times, him. As Mr. and Mrs. Bergman, the neighbors across the street, commented, "Tragedy can build a facade like that around a person's heart."

Mrs. Bergman and Mrs. Watts developed a cordial relationship over the years. As hard as Mrs. Bergman tried, she could not get the full story out of Mrs. Watts about their son's death. The Bergmans tried every means possible to get the Watt's to attend church with them. The Bergmans felt the Watts were in dire need of spiritual help. Through their relationship, Mrs. Watts disclosed the revealing fact that, prior to their son's death, she and her husband had been devout church goers. From that statement, Mr. and Mrs. Bergman knew Mr. Watts was suffering from, what they called, God-abandonment syndrome.

The Bergmans stood in front of their living-room window staring at the Watts' home. Mr. Bergman muttered, "It has been a week since the funeral and he has not come out of that house. I'm really worried. We've got to go over there and check on him."

As the couple left their house and started across the street, a young boy rode his bicycle for the fifth or sixth time by the Watts' home. The boy, Jeremy, lived down the street. For some unexplained reason, Mr. Watts had taken to the boy, talking and eating cookies and milk with him that Mrs. Watts prepared. The Bergmans knew Jeremy had lost his mother to cancer two years ago when he was seven. After his mother's death, his father had fallen into a deep depression and alcoholism. On the surface, the boy seemed wild and unkempt in appearance. Why Mr. Watts would take up with him while he spoke to no other human other than his wife, they hadn't taken the time to understand.

The Bergmans knocked softly on Mr. Watts' front door calling out quietly, "Mr. Watts, this is the Bergmans checking on you. Are you okay?" No response.

As they concentrated on the door-knocking, they became aware of the presence of Jeremy beside them with a concerned look on his face. They kept up the gentle knocking and pleas for an answer.

As if shot from a cannon, Jeremy took off in the midst of the knocking disappearing around the side of the house. The Bergmans continued the knocking for several minutes until, tiring of their unanswered labors, Mr. Bergman decided it was time to call the police. Mrs. Bergman was in agreement, commenting, "Something's happened. We need to get in there. While you're calling the police, I'm going to start the prayers."

Before Mr. Bergman could enter 911 on his phone, they noticed the door in front of them being unlocked and slowly pulled open. In the doorway stood Mr. Watts with tears rolling down his cheeks, his arm securely around Jeremy who tightly clutched Mr. Watts' waist.

"Mr. Watts are you alright?"

Mr. Watts struggled to answer, "I uh...everything's going to be...uh...oh, my...everything is going to be just fine, now." Looking down and squeezing Jeremy tighter, he managed to continue, "I was going to...uh...end it all and was asking God one last time, why he did this to me. Just then, I guess, God sent this angel through the back door that I forgot to lock, yelling, 'Mr. Watts, please, don't do it, I lost my mom and dad, and, if I lose you, I won't have anybody.'" Everyone broke down at that sobbing joyfully.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.