Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ANGELS WATCHING OVER ME (don’t write about the song) (06/04/15)
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TITLE: A New Season | Previous Challenge Entry
By Milly Born
06/11/15 -
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Lindsay tried to ignore the harsh tone of her husband's voice. "To Bible study. Remember? Every Friday—"
"How long is this gonna go on? When do we get back to normal? I want my wife back."
She suppressed a twinge of guilt. "I'm sorry, Matt. I'm still your wife, but I’d like to go on with these meetings."
As she left the house, Lindsay resisted the temptation to slam the door on his curses. Blinking back tears of frustration, she got in the car.
To Matt, “normal” meant Lindsay doing everything he wanted. “Normal” also meant mocking her spiritual interests, humiliating her in public, and betraying her. Lately, she had bad dreams of Matt having an affair. Years ago, similar dreams had proven to be true. Twice. Lord, please—not again.
She drove onto the sun-bathed country road that led to the village, meandering between vineyards and olive groves.
She couldn't change her husband, but neither could she abandon her newfound faith. The seed of Truth that for years laid dry in her heart, had germinated.
A few months ago, they met a couple, Frank and Julie. Everything they said resonated in her heart. “You won’t find God in the world around you,” they stated. “The only way to reach Him is Jesus. The world is covered with darkness, but Jesus is the way into God’s Kingdom of Light.” Hope sprung up. “God can also restore your marriage—if both of you submit to His guidance.”
Their words were like rain after a lifetime of drought.
As the Truth sprouted, and her identity rooted in Jesus, sense, scope and direction unfolded. Her lonely years of wandering in a wasteland were over. It became clear to her that He had been the source of her lucid dreams and diaries full of cryptic thoughts. His love washed away the poison of ridicule and betrayal. She now understood why New Age practices such as Reiki and yoga failed to quench her spiritual thirst.
To think that I had almost given up on spirituality altogether. To satisfy Matt and to fit in with my friends, who always kidded me. To avoid further denigration. Thank God for Frank and Julie showing up just in time.
She drove through the village and up the hill leading to the church.
Matt agreed to counseling. But whereas she thrived in Christ's presence, he seemed to aim at a quick fix of their marriage. Although he said he would follow Jesus, he didn’t care about the Bible, prayer, or any church meeting. He still made fun of her spiritual life and accused her of spending too much time on religion.
She sighed. Oh Jesus, help me to love Matt better, despite his ugly words. Despite his disinterest in me. But would God want her to uproot her faith to serve her husband? Please let me know, Lord—who comes first, You or Matt?
As she picked up speed after a hairpin curve, a truck coming from a side street on her right approached the stop sign. Instead of stopping, the vehicle entered the road right in front of her. No! Doesn't he see me? Her foot jerked towards the break as she braced herself for the impact...
The empty road stretched out before her. Her heart raced as she slowed down. In the rear mirror, she saw the truck standing in the exact spot where her car had been only seconds earlier.
Lindsay opened a window and breathed in fresh air. A breeze, bearing the scent of acacia blossom, caressed her face. Swallows crisscrossed above the spring-green fields; the burbling song of a skylark rose up to heaven.
From deep within her, laughter bubbled up. Such a peace and security she felt. God had sent his angels to protect her. What further proof did she need of His prominence?
Jesus, You are the number one in my life. I trust You for this new season. And I place my marriage into Your hands. Your will be done. Bless Matt and help me to grow and flourish in the rich soil of Your love.
As she accelerated, she gave a shout of joy. Who would want to go back to “normal”?
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Based on a true story.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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sending angels to watch over His beloved one. I really enjoyed the story.
My only red ink is that sometimes her thoughts seemed unnatural. Now, take that with a grain of salt, bc I'm not a woman, and I've found my critique of a female character from a female writer to be... lacking perspective. lol.
Truly though, great work!