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Topic: Rain (09/07/04)
TITLE: SCARED AND ALL ALONE By Theresa Knight 09/12/04 |
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Annette knew she had to stop crying for she was 13 and almost grown. She was unsure if she could rely on her parents, and needed to be as mature as possible. Yet, there was this creepy scared feeling she couldn’t shake off. Annette was beginning to tremble, and tears were still raining from her eyes. She knew she needed to calm down. She knew that neither alcohol nor pills was the answer. Both were easily accessible and destructive. For her, there had to be something better. But what! She had to keep busy and not think of the storm and loneliness.
Annette decided to turn on the television and check out what was showing. After fifteen minutes or so of changing channels with the remote control, she turned it off. None of her favorite shows were being televised. What now, she questioned, I have already done my homework and I am tired of playing games on the computer. To late to call any friends, she thought, as she looked at her watch. They all had a telephone curfew of 8:30 on weeknights.
Still brainstorming for ideas, she remembered something Grandma did when at wits end. Wiping away the tears, Annette went to the bookcase and removed the family Bible. She went to the family room and sank into the soft cushions of the oversized leather chair. Flipping rapidly through the Bible, she wondered where to start. Grandma always started with a prayer.
Annette began to pray, “Dear Lord, I am so alone and scared on this stormy night.” “ It’s an awful feeling and I want it to go away.” “How do I do that?” “Grandma always prayed when she was frightened or troubled about something.” “And afterwards, she would read the Bible.” “ I’m praying to you like she did, but I don’t know where to start reading.” “Please show me where to read like you use to do for her.” “ I want to feel better like Grandma always did.” “Also, please help Mom and Dad to start acting right again.” “Amen.”
Since Annette had been going to church off and on from age 5, and accepted the Lord as her Savior at the age of 7. However, she had never felt so alone as that night. She knew that Psalms was her favorite book in the Bible,and began reading at Psalms 1. In verse 2 she read that a godly man is blessed and he delights “…in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he mediate day and night.” Reading that, she thought, now I know why Grandma read the Bible so much. I guess I should too. She continued with Psalm 2, and in Psalms 3 discovers how David depended on God when he fled Absalom, his son. “I’m depending on you now God,” she said.
Next, Annette reads Psalms 4. In verse 8, she read, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety.” She felt her trembling stop. Her eyes began raining tears, but now they were tears of joy and relief! She could feel the Lord in the room with her, and she was safe and not alone.
Annette felt so comfortable in the big chair. She nodded off smiling with no more tears raining from her eyes.
Theresa Knight © 2004