Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FAITHFULNESS (10/07/21)
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TITLE: Home Fires Burning | Previous Challenge Entry
By LINDA GERMAIN
10/14/21 -
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No police ever had to intervene to break up arguments or soothe angry tenants. As a result, the reputation of the old-fashioned place was solidly wrapped in the daily efforts of cooperative, but somewhat quirky characters. The owner preferred these aging, loyal renters who never complained except in a plumbing or heating crisis, but always kindly.
An observant budding young author (we’ll call him Joe) from a local news source could see a story nearly writing itself in this eclectic bunch. So, armed with a recorder and a notebook, he set off one autumn day to mine for the kind of gold he hoped to find in the wisdom of longevity that he couldn’t seem to find in his generation.
Joe felt driven to figure out the secret of a life of purpose and contentment. He planned to chat with the ones who seemed the most centered and at peace with themselves. He had dreams of writing something so outstanding there would be no way to escape the big prize, the Pulitzer one.
Several neighbors gathered in Mrs. Jasper’s unit, eager to share tea and talk with a fresh young face who showed an unusual interest in their opinions. His first question was for each to think of one word that described the success of their life’s journey to this point.
The most outspoken, Mr. Rogers, said they had discussed that very thing many times and knew for sure the word that summed up the odd collection of their perspectives. It boiled down to Faithfulness.
Joe wasn’t quite sure what that meant.
“For example?” he prodded.
Mrs. Jasper clasped her wrinkled hands charmingly under her chin and gushed over a man who resided on the first floor, but she couldn’t remember his name.
“He never fails to pray at exact times every day. He even carries something to kneel on.”
Mr. Rogers said, “Well, what about you, Mrs. Jasper? You have attended the same church, third pew from the front on the left side, without missing a Sunday in fifty years! If that isn’t loyalty, I don’t know what is.”
She blushed a little, happy that at least someone had noticed her sacrifice. He did not mention her new hat, though.
Mr. and Mrs. Porella chimed in about another man who belonged to a well-known, albeit mysterious, lodge for so long he had advanced to some high position.
She wasn’t sure about his title. “It sounds something like grand poo-pah, or was it grandpa? I didn’t really understand.”
Her spouse added, “He has never missed a meeting. I’ve seen him go with pneumonia and once with a broken leg, but always with a funny round thing on his head.”
Joe rubbed the back of his neck and sighed quietly. He was not getting what he had expected, only a headache.
The vague and misplaced accolades for each other kept rolling. One long-retired gentleman showed his gold watch and a plaque that commended perfect work attendance.
The interviewer’s last question, not on his prepared list, seemed to rocket unbidden out of his mouth.
“Uh…do any of you ever think about what happens after you die?”
More than one chair creaked as an unfamiliar discomfort settled on the bunch. Mrs. Jasper was the first to venture an awkward answer.
“Well, dear, I suppose, since we have all been good and faithful people, we’ll go to Heaven. Doesn’t everybody?”
Joe scribbled a little as he waited for more input from this supposedly-sage group of elderly humans. Then, he thanked them for their hospitality and hurriedly left the smelly, dark building, a thing he had not noticed before. He felt a cold knot in his stomach.
Finally, it dawned on him that he had been searching for the wrong mother-lode of treasure. Later, after many long talks with his grandmother, a woman of true faith in God’s Word, he would write an anointed book, but not with an eye to that coveted worldly award.
He decided to send copies of genuine, revealed wisdom to the apartment people. By then, several residents had passed on. Joe’s heart was heavy with the memory of his former ignorance. On the other hand, now he had the tools to share the ultimate prize.
More books followed.
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