Good Golly, Miss Molly! | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Good Golly, Miss Molly! | Previous Challenge Entry
By LINDA GERMAIN
05/25/23
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Molly Jenson, a retired teacher for many years, was known for her quiet, gentle ways. Her children were concerned with the safety of their elderly mother, who seemed perfectly happy to live alone in the small cottage at the end of a tree-lined road. She spent her days gardening, baking, sending cards of encouragement, and reading. She held a Bible study in her cozy living room once a week.

With her excellent health and sharp mind, it seemed wise to shelve moving in with one of her concerned offspring for now. They agreed to wait for a sign that she required help. So far, no red flags appeared.

One chilly fall evening, Molly sat in her comfortable chair by the warm fireplace, humming a hymn as she finished a bit of hand sewing. The aroma of her home-cooked supper in the oven wafted from the kitchen.

She was thinking about the upcoming Bible lesson on the critical importance of wearing the whole armor of God and the simple ways to keep it in place. She completed the mending and made a few notes to show the relevance of that serious application in today’s increasingly evil climate.

The sudden loud pounding on the front door jolted her. Someone was screaming, “Help me!”

Without one thought for what she would find, she whispered, “Jesus, go with me,” and opened the door to the angriest, dirty, ranting young man she had ever seen. He was brandishing a gun as he pushed past her and over to the fire. It wasn’t clear if his shaking was from the cold or perhaps even drugs.

She stood still with her hands folded and waited for him to calm down. Then, without showing any fear, she asked, “May I help you?”

For a few seconds, he looked around the room as if he had landed on another planet. The thin, pale, trembling man seemed confused.

Molly took a step toward him, holding out her hand. “Please lay down the gun, dear.”

Without a word, he put the weapon on the mantle and slumped onto the sofa. Lack of sleep was evident.

She kept her voice even and kind. “You must be hungry. I was about to eat some delicious stew and biscuits. There’s plenty if you care to share.”

He kept looking at her like she spoke a language he had never heard. All he could do was nod his head. She told him to wash his hands in the sink while she fixed the food. Her grandmotherly concern had reduced him from a raving madman to a docile puppy.

After eating ravenously for a few minutes, he asked, “What’s your name, lady?”

“You can call me Miss Molly. Now, what’s yours?”

“It’s Donnie, and I’m in big trouble.” Tears seemed ready to spill.

“Can you tell me what happened?”

He stopped to take a few gulps of milk before blurting, “The cops are after me. They said I stole something, but it wasn’t me, so I ran for miles, it was raining--and I saw your light.”

Exhausted, his voice trailed off.

“Listen to me, Donnie. You lie on the couch and rest while I clean up here. And then we’ll decide what’s best for you to do.”

This screaming, angry, scary fellow had entered her home with a gun and been subdued by the bold faith and loving kindness of a lady four times his age.

As soon as he seemed about to nap, and knowing he needed more help than she could offer him, Molly quietly picked up her phone and opened the refrigerator. With her head and arm stuck in as far as possible, she dialed 911 and whispered her address but with a plea to please not use sirens.

When she returned to the living room, Donnie was sprinting for the door. He yelled, “Blue lights!”

He bolted past two police officers and slammed into a thick hedge, where he became stuck tight. All they had to do was pull him out and take him for a ride.

After giving her matter-of-fact statement and turning over the gun, sweet Miss Molly locked the door, tidied up, ate some stew, and sat back down in her favorite chair to thank God for the strength to believe her armor was in place and pray for Donnie.

And then, she added a compelling personal illustration to her lesson for this Thursday’s Bible study and went to bed feeling safe and secure.
_____

Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

*Based on a TRUE story that happened to an elderly friend of someone in my family.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.