Caught!

This week Fiction Friday is hosted Patty at Patterings . Stop by to read more Friday Fiction. We would love for you to join!

Sorry if you stopped by earlier to sign on to Mr. Linky. I think he is a little smarter than I am. I apologize for the confusion.

I wanted to write something today in honor of Sanctity of Life Sunday last week.... but I opted for a story from a previous post. This is the actual post I wrote in March of 2008. We all need to live in the abundance of His forgiveness and grace and run towards Him!
Blessings to each of you today!
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Caught!

The slumbering city began to stir as the first beams of daylight filtered through the shadowed streets. She knew she had to leave soon or risk being caught.

Each time she met him in secret, she loathed herself that much more. How did she end up like this? This wasn't the way it was supposed to be. She had seen the contempt for her in his eyes just now. Did he hate her as much as she hated herself? How did it go so wrong?

Her pulse quickened and adrenaline shot through her as she heard the clambering footsteps reach the threshold! The voices were shouting angrily! That was her husband's voice! How- how did he find her? "Oh, God!” she thought, "They will stone me!!" "I will die!" They threw him against the wall and grabbed her. One of them caught her by the hair and pulled her out of the door causing pain to shoot from her scalp down through her shoulders. The pain was almost blinding. Another man had her arms in a vice grip that threatened to break the skin.

The next few minutes were surreal. This couldn't be happening to her. Not now! It was as if she were watching it all happen to someone else. The humiliation. The shame. The fear. The hate! She was dragged out of the house, out of the door, down the street. She couldn't even get her footing. Her loose garments were exposing her body to the bloodthirsty, lustful men who were taking her to who knew where.

As this little army paraded her down the streets, doors and windows began opening to see what all the commotion was about. She tried to hide her face. "Oh God!!! Why is this happening?!!" Fear kept the tears from flowing, but the sobs were stuck in her throat. Every few seconds she gasped for air - knowing this could be the final minutes of her pitiful life.

And then, they stopped. She was thrown down like a piece of trash and she landed in a heap, humiliated and bruised. Gathering her garments around her, she peered around to see she was at someone's feet. Was it the priest? Is this where she would die? Is this where she would be stoned for her blood to be on this man's sandals?

Looking up, she saw it wasn't the priest, but the teacher in town - the man with the kind eyes and gentle voice. She gazed up excpecting to see the same hate and contempt as the others had, but what she saw amazed her. His eyes were full of compassion, kindness, and a pure love! He must not know what she had done.

She was in the temple courts. People were already gathered to hear the teacher. All eyes were on her....no, they were on Him. What would he do? The Pharisees jerked her up and almost pushed her into the teacher.

"Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery." His very words betrayed the hate and venom in his heart.

Just hearing the word - adultery- made her cringe. They were speaking of her! The little girl who had had such big dreams. Here she was, being humiliated in the temple in front of people whom she had known her whole life. Her husband was in this bunch somewhere. And she was now known for what she was - an adulterous woman. The words carried the finality of the death she was about to experience.

"In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?"

Her every muscle tensed up expecting a stone to be hurled her way in an instant. She closed her eyes and waited for the blow. Instead she heard a soft stirring of sand. Cautiously, she opened her eyes. What she saw confused her more. The teacher was bent down writing in the sand. What was he writing? She couldn't see!

The Pharisess began with their accusations and pushing him for an answer - a verdict. The teacher stood up. He looked at the crowd. He was about to speak.

"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." He bent down again and wrote again in the sand.

Once again, she closed her eyes tightly and waited for the pummeling of the stones.

Nothing.

Her heart was beating so fast, she felt sure everyone could hear it. Her worthless life flashed before her eyes- images of happy times, but mostly the sad. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to just die. Maybe then she would stop hurting the people she loved the most.

Still nothing.

After what seemed like an eternity she gathered the courage to open her eyes. They were all gone!

The teacher spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

She looked again to make sure. Where did they go? But no one was left! Just herself and the teacher. She swallowed to somehow muster the bravery to speak. Her mouth was so dry. Her heart beat even faster. Her hands were shaking.

Her voice betrayed her fear. It was crackling and shakey. "No one, sir," she replied.

"Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin."

He turned and walked away. She stood there all alone. Where would she go? She couldn't go home. She couldn't show up and expect her husband just to take her back. Her parents? No, she had caused them so much shame already.

Go and leave your life of sin......

The only place she knew that would let her in was..... NO! She couldn't! Not after what just happened! But where?! ...........

Whatever her future held, she knew she would never be the same. The Master had changed her life forever.

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What ending do you put there? What have you done with the words of escape and salvation from Jesus?

This story was taken from the Biblical account in John 8. I have added some possible details, but the fact is, we all relate to this woman.

No. I have never had an adulterous affair. I have never been caught in a "stoning worthy" sin, but I have sinned. You have sinned. We have all sinned and all have come short of the glory of God.

With our Holy God, there are no "big sins" and "little sins". All of it is sin. And sin separates us from His presence. I am no better than the woman in John 8. I am no better than you. I am a sinner! I have been saved by grace. I was on my way to an eternal hell- without Jesus!

Separation from God is not an option for me. I need Him- with every breath I breathe and every step I take. I need Him right beside me. So when, not "if" I sin, I throw myself at His feet and at His mercy. I cannot be separated from His presence!

But when He tells me to "Go now and leave your life of sin". I have a choice. Do I forge out into new and unfamiliar territory and leave the "life of sin" behind me in the dust. Or do I slowly crawl back to the familiar? the "safe"? the known?

What will you do? When you experience the wonderful cleansing power of His precious blood, do you bathe in its holiness, or do you carelessly spill it, stepping, trodding, stomping His blood under your feet and into the sand? Is His blood blotting out the handwriting in the sand?

There is still time. Turn your back on the sin that so easily entangles you and run with perseverance the race marked out for you. You don't have to go back to the house that entrapped you.

Run after the teacher!!!! Run! You can catch Him. Call His name- Jesus! He hears you! He will answer! Don't stop! Run! Be desperate for Him! He will show you where to go. He will give you a safe place. He will make a way of escape for you!

Run!!!!
I am running with you!
I don't want to stand here by myself.
If I stay here by myself. I know me. I will go back to the same old house.

I am running!
I am screaming His name!

Jeeeeeee- suuuuuuuus!!!!!! I need you!!!!!!!

Jeeeeeee- suuuuuusssss!!!!!!
Have mercy on me!!!!!

I feel the warmth of His presence!
His arms are embracing me!
His love fills my soul!

I never want to leave this place! His blood saves me. His grace sustains me. His spirit empowers me. His word cleanses me. His love changes me.
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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you TRUST in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Wow! God is awesome! I pray you Know Him.

love you all.
dorinda