Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: MOURNING / MORNING (02/02/23)
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TITLE: Lost Dawn | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jack Taylor
02/03/23 -
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February fifth set the reminder in place. I’d worked the midnight shift but still managed to slip into the back seats at the service. The announcement was made. “Tuesday will be the service for our beloved pastor and our own Cynthia George will be providing the music.” The mourning was already underway that morning and everyone gushed over with me how wonderful it was that I would be there to lend my voice to the comfort for a family who was so central to the life of our fellowship.
I head-bobbed my way through the message by the assistant and dragged myself home for a nap before facing another shift. One problem. I knew I had to sing in two days.
“What song are you singing?” Les, the pianist, asked?
“Still working on a couple,” I said, smiling.
I put off the nap and took my Labrador for a walk in the park, scrolling through several songs as I walked. This was going to have to be a special song for a special friend.
There are plenty of songs that drag and drone but we live on this side of the resurrection. Yes, Jesus’ followers were mourning that morning of the third day but they didn’t yet have the confident hope that we live with. My friend had finished the race well without humiliation on the front pages over some scandal. My friend had compassionately revolutionized the outreach to the poor and cared out of a heart overflowing with joy. He needed a special song.
My phone buzzed. Les. “Text me the title when you have it.”
I filled my tank with caffeine and slogged through another shift. There was too much to do and too many people around and I was on my way home before realizing I still hadn’t practiced. In fact, I hadn’t even chosen a piece to practice. Les would have to manage. Good thing he was gifted.
I likely overdosed on caffeine during my shift and felt ready to fly so I took another long walk with my Lab. In my fumbling to get the dog leashed and myself changed I forgot the phone on the counter and it was like my mind could not think of a single song appropriate for the occasion. ‘Up From the Grave he Arose’ was on my mind but it would not be appropriate for those who would be in mourning on Tuesday morning. One more day.
When I got home, I was so buzzed, I flumped on my bed and never moved until the wet nose of my dog nudged me for another walk. I grabbed the phone on the way out and noticed four texts from Les. He was getting worried. “It’s all under control,” I texted and pocketed the phone.
I settled on “I Can Only Imagine” and “Praise My Soul.” I would text Les later.
I grabbed some fast food and hustled my Lab home so I could leave for work again. Getting through my shift was like walking through cement in a cloud. Not sure what I really did but I made it home and noticed I could get a couple of hours in before the service. My voice was a little shaky and needed some rest. I set my phone on vibrate and left it in the living room. A little comfort was all I needed.
My Lab nuzzled me and I wrapped my arm around his neck and thanked him for his faithfulness. A warm haze of peace settled over me and I snuggled in for a few more minutes.
It was the knocking that woke me. More like the thunder pounding on my front door. Stumbling to the door I came face to face with Les. “Oh, yeah!” I said. “I’ve got the songs right here.”
“Don’t bother!” he said. “The funeral was hours ago. We mourned this morning without you but then you had us worried that we had to do it all over again for you.”
“I guess I don’t need to sing,” I said. “Do you know I Can Only Imagine?”
“That’s what I was doing the whole service,” Les said.
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The only comment I have is that I think this line could have been left out. " I guess I should first try to explain why things should have been different." The whole story will explain it and seems like unnecessary repition.
God Bless~