Welcome to Friday Fiction! Sara is hosting today at Fiction Fusion. Head on over to read more great fiction, or to add your own fiction to the the list.

This story was written as a writing assignment on a writers' weekend on the North Shore of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota. Notice that the letter "a" is not used anywhere in the story. That was the challenge of the assignment and a great way to practice word choice.


CURFEW IGNORED© 2007 Joanney Uthe

The little green building sits serene, hidden in the trees on the shore. Only the sound of moving liquid interrupts the thoughts of the only non-sleeping resident. Tired from the night’s enduring encounter, she sips her hot coffee, seeking the solution to the problem still lingering. Should she confront the child who refused to obey curfew once more? Does the emergency room visit drive home the point in his stubborn pride? Would her words only serve to drive him further from her?

The ship on the horizon blows its horn, interrupting her thought, reminding her of his first ride on the pontoon. Only five, he bounced on his uncle’s knee, helping to drive the vessel. Swimming off the dock would follow the next evening. Monthly visits to the Superior resort deepened his love for his uncle, for this hidden respite. When, over the time of his young life, did his love for dihydrogen monoxide become his tool for torture of his mother? Where did she not succeed in getting him to know her love for him?

When the door behind her opened, she turned to see the object of her musings. Eyes shut to slits, one bruised from the night before, he hugged her gently. “Sorry, Mom, for the fright. I didn’t know the rocks would be so slippery. I envisioned this weekend to be perfect, to show you I desire to do better. Didn’t intend to go to the emergency room.”

“So, who is this? Where is my son? Why the pre-written discussion?”

“I’m serious, Mom. I do intend to do better. It sounds pre-written, ‘cuz I thought through my words before coming out here.”

“Better. Right. How much better did you do in the two weeks since you told me you were done ignoring curfew? Where did you meet the girl you were with? The one who phoned for help?” Trying not to cry or to yell, she kept her voice quiet.

“I would’ve been here by curfew, but some girl fell on the rocks by where I left my truck. I helped her, but I slipped myself. I couldn’t find something to hold onto to. Unlike the girl who didn’t get wet, I went in the sound. She is the one who phoned for help. I never met her before helping her.”

His story mirrored the one the girl recited the night before in the emergency room. She knew she should let go of her ever-tight hold on his life. He would be finishing High School next spring, then off to the University. Yet, thinking of loosing him brought memories of the loss of every guy who’d been in his life. Jim never knew his pop who’d died before Jim turned two. Now his only uncle, the one who owned this resort, lie buried in the ground. He’d been Jim’s role model for most of his young life. Where would he turn now when he needed help? Who would believe him if she didn’t.

“Sorry for thinking the worst. I’ve never been so frightened in my life, Jim. I thought I might loose you. We just lost Uncle Bob. Kind of lost my mind, I guess.” She returned his hug. “I love you, Son.”

“I know, Mom. In the bed in the emergency room, I worried you would be worried. Sounds funny, doesn’t it? I’m so sorry for hurting you, Mom.”

“You’re forgiven, Son. So, how ‘bout some muffins?”

“Sounds good. I’ll get the mix.” Jim stopped when he got to the door. “Mom, will they need to sell the resort with Uncle Bob gone? He’s no wife or kids to inherit it. Whose job would it be if they do sell? Poppy couldn’t do it from the nursing home. You’re his only sibling. Would you be the one to sell it?”

“I don’t know.” She’d pondered the question herself but being too tired from buying the coffin, informing his friends, etc, she didn’t expend too much energy on it.

“I don’t think this incident should define our goodbye memories of the resort. Let’s enjoy the rest of our time here.” Jim held the door open for her.

“I hope this trip isn’t goodbye to the resort. But I think you’re right. Let’s enjoy our time. Together.”

Friday Fiction: Prostitute Provisions

Welcome to Friday Fiction! Catrina is hosting today at A Work in Progress. Head on over to read more great fiction, or to add your own fiction to the the list.

This is my first time participating in Friday Fiction. Since Cathy used her entry from "Every Cloud has a Silver Lining" I decided to do the same. It didn't win an EC, but it was the closest I've come. (I think it placed 12th overall and 5th in Advanced.) I had made a few changes to the story that hopefully are improvements.


PROSTITUTE PROVISIONS
© Joanney Uthe

"Time to go to sleep, Obed."

"Please, Grandmother. Just one more story. Tell me about when you lived in Jericho. When you met the spies."

"Only if you promise to go to sleep afterwards." After receiving the promise, Grandmother began her story:

I was young when my parents gave me to the temple, forced to choose between child sacrifice and prostitution. There were days I wished they’d chosen differently. I hated my job from the very beginning, but it was part of our religion. We didn’t know the true God like your people do. Men worshipped our gods by using prostitutes like me.

Men can feel very vulnerable and need someone they can share feelings with. Listening to their fears and worries was part of the job. Often I only pretended to listen. But then they started telling stories about a strange people who didn’t have a land of their own. Of course, we all believed that a people without a land must have a very small, weak god. But oh... the stories that these men told disputed that belief.

I began listening intently to their stories, increasingly interested in these people who had been wandering in the desert since before I was born. People without a land who had defeated the mightiest kings of the Amorites. Our city was undefeated in battle, yet the stories of these people made even our bravest soldiers tremble.

We heard rumor that these people believed their God was going to give them a land – ours. Everyone became frightened. People became suspicious of all strangers. Yet the more I heard, the more I wanted to know about these people’s God. Could their God, who wanted to give them our land, hear me even if they were not yet here? I began praying to this unknown God.

As discontentment with my job increased, so did my desire to learn more about these strange, feared people. I no longer believed in the teachings of the temple that employed me. I couldn’t explain it, but somehow I knew that the gods of my people weren’t real gods. Everything about these gods was wrong, especially the prostitution. But what could I do? I continued to pray to the God of the desert wanderers.

One day two Israelite spies came to my door. Fear within the city dictated that I refuse to open the door, except that I was a temple prostitute. If they wanted to worship our gods, I must oblige. I wanted to turn them away, but a voice told me to let them in, to take care of them, even to hide them from the authorities. I turned to see who had spoken. No one was there.

My heart was pounding almost as loud as their knock. When I summoned up the courage to open it, I noticed a man following them at a distance, watching where they went. I knew the man, a temple regular, would report these men to the city officials. I had to act quickly to protect them. After feeding them, I led them to the roof of my house. The musty smell permeated my nostrils as I covered them with drying flax. I prayed to their God that they would not sneeze if anyone came searching.

I brushed the dust off myself when another knock came to my door. I’m sure the neighbors thought that these calls were related to my temple work, that the gods would be pleased. But I only wanted to please one God – the God of the Israelites. I had concluded that it was His voice I heard directing me in what I should do. The voice telling me not to worry about what to say to the soldiers at my door and that I would be calm during the conversation.

When the soldiers asked about the Israelite spies, my calm words surprised even myself. “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.*” It worked. The soldiers left the city looking for the spies. Before the men turned in for the night, I had them promise that when they attacked Jericho, they would spare me and my family.

You see, Obed, God used my job as a prostitute to prepare me to be open to Him and His people so that He could use me in giving them this land. This is how I met your grandfather.

"So I an not a true Israelite?"

"You are an Isrealite in God's eyes because you are an Israelite in your heart. Your mother, Ruth, was not originally an Israelite, either and I don't know of anyone who doubts her loyalty to our people."

"Tell me that story, too. Please, Grandmother."

"Another time, Obed."



Story based on Joshua 2
*Joshua 2:4-5
The story of Ruth and Boaz can be found in the Old Testament book of Ruth.

You May Be From Minnesota if......

We have all read lists about being from some region or another. Here is a list that I have put together based on things that I have actually experienced while living in Minnesota.

*You wake up to your alarm clock saying that the warm spot in the state is Faribault at 21 below.

*The radio announces that we have now had over 100 consecutive hours of sub-zero temps.

*The television news reminds the public that even though temperatures are now above zero, it is still cold and you need to wear gloves or mittens while pumping gas.

* The governor cancels all public schools because of the dangerously cold temps and wind chills, only to have his daughter sulk because her school had not (yet) canceled and he couldn't control whether or not private schools held classes. (Same day as the state high being -21)

* You remember the Halloween Blizzard of 1991 (36 inches) and the Thanksgiving Blizzard the same year (24 inches.)

* You know what "Black Ice" is and at what temperature exhaust fumes freeze.

* School is two hours late because of the dangerously cold temperatures and even though it is 20 below when the bus picks up your kids, the school needs to remind the Middle Schoolers to wear coats. (This happened today.)

* Your elementary schools have a policy stating at what temperatures the kids will automatically have indoor recess.

* You see kids/teens in shorts walking into a store while the outside temps are sub-zero.

* Your driver's education included taking the car to a vacant parking lot in the winter. (Okay, I did not actually experience this myself, but know many people who taught their kids this way or were taught this way.)

Chirst In Me

Jesus answered: “Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? John 14:9

When I started my new job last October I was somewhat shocked at the reality of spending eight hours a day in a non-Christian environment. It did not take me long to realize that my co-workers were part of the "unbelieving and perverse generation." Although I did not feel that I was, I prayed that I could be a light in the darkness of my part of the office.

Some of the anti-Christian comments made by my co-workers have made me hesitant to openly speak of my faith, so I often question if I showing Christ to my co-workers at all. I have noticed a very slight difference in the frequency of the some of the perversion.

Two incidences have given me hope that my character, if not my faith, have at least made an impact on my co-workers. I made a negative comment about one of the attorneys in the office and immediately apologized to the co-workers who heard it. One of them said something to the effect that they all say things even worse than that about other people so it was not big deal. But another co-worker repeated the line that I have adopted from another friend when I say something I shouldn't have said -- "Bad dog, no biscuit."

The other is when one employee was swearing and another said something to him. He made the comment that it was nothing unusual but if Josh started swearing, it might be worth noticing because Josh does not swear as often. Then it was said that if I started swearing they would look for flying pigs.

I hope that through these character differences, my co-workers will see Christ in me. Because if they do not see Christ in the followers of Christ that He puts in their lives, how will they listen when someone tells them about Him?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philipians 4:6-7 (NIV)

When I first started reading Christian fiction, I found one author whose stories I enjoyed that seemed to have a reoccurring theme that "worry is a sin." If I recall, in several of her books one character or another would remind or inform the main character of this concept in those exact words. This concept was new to me at the time. Although I've never considered myself to be a worry-wart, I still had worries and considered it natural.

Learning to turn everything over to God is a challenge that I don't always succeed at accomplishing. I worry about my kids and their future. I worry about my husband making it home from a business trip safely. Yet as I worry, I sense God's gentle reminder to turn it over to Him. When I obey this nudge, I am filled with His Peace about the situation. I can feel His guard of protection on my heart and my mind.

God Dispenses Wisdom Through Others

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all, without finding fault, and it will be given him. But wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." James 1:5 and 3:17 (NIV)

I went to bed last night and woke up this morning with a heavy burden on my heart. I did not know what to do some information and my feelings surrounding it. Reading these verses this morning reminded me where I needed to turn for the wisdom to know what to do in this situation. But prayer alone did not seem to be the answer. The more I turned this over to God, the more I felt that I needed a close girlfriend to share my burden.

After debating with myself I decided to write to a wonderful Christian lady that I know. I spent my entire lunch hour (half hour) typing an email expressing my pain and confusion. Even before I received a response back, I felt a peace come over me that I had not had since before the whole issue came into play. Immediately I knew that the email had been the right choice. Only God can give that peace.

I value my friend's wisdom. I appreciate her gentleness, consideration and her mercy. I need her sincerity and submission to what I may not want to hear.

God Speaks...

I promised this morning to post a rundown of what God has shown me so far this month in my quiet time. I admit there are a few days missing.

On Sunday, January 4, I woke-up stranded in an ice storm in Ackley, IA with my Bible and suitcase in Waverly, IA. My devotion time was prayer and Christian radio during the 3 hour drive back to Minnesota. One song in particular touched my heart on the drive home. Although I have heard the song many times and most likely sang along, I really HEARD the words of the chorus that afternoon. I believe it was the Ray Boltz version of the song "Trust His Heart" by Babbie Mason and Eddie Carswell. I could not find Ray Boltz on YouTube but I did find the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh65wLVbaww&feature=related The words to the chorus are as follows:

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don't understand,
when you don't see His plan,
When you cant trace His hand, trust His heart.

I don't always know what God's plans are in a given situation, but I know that He loves me and will help me through whatever trial comes my way.

Monday, January 5, the verse that stood out to me was Isaiah 28:12 which the English Standard Version quotes as "This is rest; give rest to the weary; this is repose." This same concept came up later in the week as I talked to a young man leaving our company to return to Bible College in Florida. We were discussing generosity and the theology that we will be rewarded for giving. When we give rest, money, love, or any other number of things to other people, we receive blessings from God. Sometimes they are the same thing that we give away -- rest or love -- but not always. If I anonymously give a single mom money to buy Christmas gifts for her kids, I do not expect God to drop money into my bank account as a result. My reward may be as simple as seeing that friend's excitement as she shops for her kids or wraps what she bought for them.

On Tuesday, January 6, God told me that the Splendor He has given me has made my beauty perfect. (Ezekiel 16:14) I do not always feel beautiful, but in God's eyes, I am and it is in His eyes that my worth is determined. On the other hand, I must take heed with the next verse and not trust in my beauty. My trust must remain in God alone.

Wednesday, January 7, I was reminded that God expects us to keep the devotion of our youth. When we first come to know Christ we are like young brides, so in love with Him. In Jeremiah 2:2 He says "I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown." How easy it is to loose that love during the course of a marriage or our walk with God. We need to be intentional about keeping that level of devotion in both our earthly and heavenly relationships.

Thursday, January 8, I read Hebrews 13:6 where it quotes Psalm 118:6,7 "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid, What can man do to me?" I need to hide this verse in my heart to overcome the fears and worries in my life.

Friday through Sunday I did not spend the time I should have with God. Sure, I included Him in my day as always, but I did not intentionally set aside time for Him like I should.

I think I will leave today's lesson for a separate post and try to do a better job of journaling online what God shares with me during my time with Him.

Catch UP -- January 2

Okay, so I said I would post daily. Ha. Actually I knew I would be gone for the first weekend in January but did expect to post again when I got back. Unfortunately, the week got ahead of me. So, here is what I wrote based on my devotional on January 2. A rundown of the rest of the week will follow later today.

January 2, 2009

I woke up this morning grumbling about how horrible I had slept. I could not get comfortable on either of my sister’s couches. I would have moved to the floor if I could figure out where on the floor I would not be in the way for Mom to get to the bathroom.

This morning’s devotional started with “Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob! Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” (Psalm 81:1-2, 40:3 ESV) This attitude of praise in all things contradicted my initial attitude this morning.

I often sound like the Israelites grumbling in the desert when I really have no reason to grumble. I need to remind myself what Nehemiah told the people returning to Israel: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10 ESV). Whether in small things like being comfortable where I sleep, or major life crisis, I need to develop an attitude of praise in every circumstance.

Heavenly Father, I praise you for this new day that You have given me. Thank you for a place to sleep last night and for the sleep that I did get. I want to praise you in all things, to see Your blessings in each trail and triumph. Remind me, Lord, when I start to grumble of Your mercies and Your love. In Jesus’ Precious Name, Amen.

A New Begining

New Year's most popular tradition is to think about and examine our lives and vow to do better in one or more areas. We all can think of many different areas that we would like to improve, to become better people. These lists tend to reveal what is important to us, but sometimes not important enough to follow through.

My devotional this morning included the verses 1 Cor 9:24,25. "24Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.25Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." (ESV) (NIV uses crown for wreath.)

My goals for the New Year always fall short because I do not keep the goal in mind. While a long list of blog posts may keep me going, the real prize that I strive for is the eternal crown. That is the goal.

The ESV version points out that athletes need self-control in all things to reach the goal of winning the race. That is the one ingredient that seems to be lacking in my New Year's Resolutions most years. It is easy to let the circumstances of life effect our goals, to get us sidetracked.

Father, I pray that You will give me and all that read this blog the strength and encouragement to press on for the goal that You have placed before us. Help us to keep our eyes on You, even and especially in the trials of this life. Amen.