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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: PUZZLE (11/24/16)
I dragged the large bag through the dust behind me. The sun was hot so I pulled my keffiyeh over my forehead, as sweat trickled down my back. Painful blisters caused me to stop and inspect my worn sandals. One more visit, then I will return home.

The door opened slowly as I rapped on it.

“Hello, good neighbor,” I called into the small house.

A large man in a striped robe, approached. He smiled and asked boisterously, “Samuel! What brings you to my door, good friend?”

As I adjusted my tunic, I dropped the heavy bag.

“I am in need of wood if you have some to spare.” My face felt hot, and my body swayed. “I can pay you a small amount,” I added.

“You are gathering wood for what?” He asked with furrowed brows.

“You will have to wait and see. I am on a mission.” I grinned at him.

“It sounds to me like you are building a puzzle.”

I nodded. “Something like that.”

I looked down at my dirty feet and waited.

“Okay friend. I will give you a board.”

He headed outside toward his stable, and I followed, dragging my bag behind me. Buried under a pile of straw, was a sizable and strong piece of wood. He pulled it out and handed it to me.

I smiled and gave him a coin from my purse. He bowed slightly as he closed his fist around it.

As I turned toward home, I sighed. Only you know what you are doing Lord. One foot in front of the other, I hauled my bag of wood pieces behind me.

When I reached my home, I immediately entered the coolness of my stable. The burro neighed and nodded his head in greeting, while the cow simply stared.

I dumped out all of the pieces from the bag. The different shapes and sizes of rough wood were probably used for a house or fence. Lord, what a puzzle.

I knelt down on the ground and placed two long pieces crosswise, and then tied them together with rope. I did the same with two more. Nails would be needed for the center. Just as I stood, I heard a soft voice behind me.

“Father, what is it you are doing?”

My small child stood in front of me as I turned to face him. “Hello, my son. God has given me a project.” A smile came to my face. “Would you like to help?”

He grinned, ran to the wood, and picked up a small board. “Where does this go?”

“Perhaps together we will build what God wants.”

Brittle wood boards split easily. We discarded them and chose stronger ones. I pounded a nail to secure a piece to the end, but it cracked and fell apart. I stood and shook my head.

“This may not work.” My son gazed at me with big eyes.


“Should we pray father?”

I looked down, shuffled my feet, and nodded. “My Father, this wood is perplexing. We pray for your guidance, and opportunity to use what you have provided. Thank you.”

John smiled when I looked at him, and it was then that I noticed a sturdy board underneath all of the others. Once I pulled it out, John held it in place, and I nailed it down in the center. We continued to discover more pieces as we searched, and didn’t stop until we ran out of wood.

“What do you think of our puzzle John?” I asked as we examined our work.

“It is good Father. Our Lord heard our prayer.”

“Yes, God is good.”

We tossed some straw into our finished work, and then walked to the house together. The sun had set, and stars shone brightly above. The street was peaceful as we entered our home, and I closed the door behind us.

***

A loud knocking woke me up from a deep slumber. I stumbled out of bed and hurried to the front room.

The heavy door creaked as I pulled it open, and there in the darkness, stood a man.

“Hello, kind sir. There is no room in the inn; may we stay in your stable for the night?”

I stared at him. “Of course,” I answered.

He led his donkey away, with his pregnant wife on the back of it.

As I laid back on my bed, a warmth came over me, and I slept.
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This article has been read 247 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
12/02/16
Nicely done!
God bless~
Holly Westefeld
12/02/16
I enjoyed your unique take on the topic. You did a good job of sustaining suspense.
LaVonne Wood 
12/02/16
A different take on the birth of Jesus from what could have been the innkeepers story. Some times we don't know why the Lord has us do things until revealed later. Good job. Blessings, LaVonne
Bonnie Bowden 
12/04/16
Lovely story. I didn't recognize it was the innkeeper until the very end.

I think it should do well this week.
Bonnie Bowden 
12/04/16
My only suggestion would be to explain the word keffeyeh.
Larry Whittington
12/05/16
I like your title, "Blind Building". That is something like we do when we write. We may never know who will ever read what we write but that does not mean we shouldn't write.
Your writing should send a message to all who may be thinking of giving up on writing. Writing is not a waste of time but putting it to good use. It is ours to do our best because we never know who will use it.
Robyn Harbour
12/06/16
A good imaginative telling of an old story. Well Done!!!
Lois Farrow
12/07/16
Sweet take on the topic. I enjoyed this.
Daniel Rae
12/10/16
I told you I can spot a special writer!! This is a fantastic piece and you deserve this win.
Congratulations and may the Lord continue to inspire your words.
Michael Edwards 
01/26/17
Hi Karen, This is Mike Edwards testing your email notifications. Let me know if you get an email about this post. Blessings, Mike