Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER (02/28/19)
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TITLE: Down to Earth | Previous Challenge Entry
By Graham Insley
03/07/19 -
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I sure miss Sally’s smile, Dave’s funny way of laughing. It would even be good to hear old Mrs Moody complain about where I park my car. Funny what time in space has taught me. Home soon. My time here is nearly done. I’ll return to earth… and to church life.
A strange bunch, but friends; odd, I’ve never really thought of them as ‘friends’ before. Lord, please help Mr Kieth to get stronger. You know his weakness, Lord. Keep him until I return… I promise to support him more and to help him beat the booze. I remember he gave me a big hug as I left. I’d even put up with smelling his breath again.
Then there was Jim. Seventeen years old, fatherless and going wild. Drugs, alcohol and punk, rebellious music. He needs help and love. But who would give it? Who could put up with his constant profanities? Lord, You love the unlovable, so I should too. Help me to stay strong where Jim is concerned. To be a good example but also a friend. I’ll make a point of seeing him every second day, even if it’s only for ten minutes. I wont judge him, correct his talk or come down on him, I’ll just love him and show him a better way. This is the first time I’ve ever even cared about the lad’s struggle, but I do care.
Betty is a problem. Twenty-three, mother of two and alone. How did she cope with those screaming brats? Noise, more noise and then bedlam. No wonder she always looked beat and half dead. She needed help in a big way. Lord, I can’t do much for Betty, but I can pray, and I will… every day. A partner for her would be good. Take the worry off her shoulders, someone to share the burdens, help with the kids and to generally be there for her. Maybe I could play with the kids a bit, after all, they were kind of cute… in a funny way. When my pet dog died, Josh, the youngest, grubbiest of them brought me some flowers. Stolen, of course, from some neighbour’s yard, but none the less that kid has a winning way about him.
Mr Brown’s legs were getting worse last time I saw him. The foot ulcers were just not healing, his sugar was out of control and so was his diet. He’ll lose his leg, if he hasn’t lost it already. Lord, strengthen Mr Brown’s resolve. Help him to say NO to sweets and cakes, show him what a blessing he is to his kids, grandkids and wife and bring him peace over his past. Three tours of Vietnam take their toll, Father, I can’t imagine what he went through. But killing himself with comfort food is a poor way to handle it. I don’t know how to help, but You do. Show me how to reach out to Mr. Brown, how to become his true friend. I really like that quirky ‘out of time’ bow tie Mr brown wears to church.
Funny, I live with these people and attend church with them every Sunday, but I’m surprised how much I miss them. I’ve not once spent a second with young Jim, just got frustrated with Betty’s kids, laughed at the lack of control in Mr. Brown’s life and judged Mr. Kieth’s drinking. Forgive me, Father. It is I that am weak. Instead of reaching out with Your love I have been judgmental and harsh. I haven’t reflected You at all and it took nearly six months away from them all to see it. Help me to be a better person and more of a friend to these people. I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder and I certainly mean to show more love to these guys. I’ll park my car somewhere else, laugh with Dave and smile with Sally.
Sally. Yes, I sure miss Sally. Did my heart just do a backflip at the thought of her? Lord, when I get home, I’m going to ask her out on a date.
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Nice job!
Blessings~