In a third world country
an extremely thin man stands alongside
a cow at a garbage dump, both driven
by the need for something
to eat . A foreigner, professional
photographer, sees this as a photo op
and begins snapping pictures. The scavenging man
is not influenced in the slightest by the flashing
camera, quest to fill his screaming stomach
completely dominates.
Four teenage boys were drunk again
on a Sunday evening, seeking a temporary
oasis from their miserable lives. As rain began to
come down harder, they stumbled to the corner
where they heard music and robust singing. They
were in front of the “weird church” as the crowd
they ran with had called it. Seeking asylum from
the pelleting droplets, they decided to go in. Slipping
in the back row, they sat for a few minutes, simply
observing, until one of them began to snicker. These
people with their eyes closed, hands raised and some of
them speaking strange foreign languages just seemed so
funny. Soon they were all snickering and rib poking
though most members seemed unaware of their antics.
A disgruntled looking usher made his way toward the platform
motioning to a man sitting behind the pulpit. A brief discourse
took place between them. The man eyed the youth at the
back of the church and shook his head. As the usher returned
to his post, the man seated behind the pulpit came
forward and begin to read a text. One of the boys,
the one with the plaid scarf
found that he was suddenly sober
while the disrespectful titters continued to
come from the others. As the man in the front spoke
the sober lad began to feel a multitude of emotions
regret
guilt
shame
remorse
and a strange longing.
After only fifteen minutes an altar call was given.
The leader of the blitzed boys whispered
that it was time to go. As they exited the pew,
the lad with plaid turned the opposite direction,
Walking to the front of the church
peer pressure lost its grip as
a ravaging inner famine drove
him to fall on his knees
where he wept himself
into the presence of
the Almighty and loving God.
10/11/18
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