Fast Friday Fiction

http://www.faithimagined.com/ Just found this awesome writing site. FFF; Fast Friday Fiction.

Rules: (1) Write your own Christian fiction piece on the topic of the month (2) Post your piece on your blog anytime before or on the first Friday of the following month (3) Add your FFF post to the Mr. Linky.
You'll be able to expose your writing to others and read their comments of encouragement and support! If you would like, ask a few questions after your fiction piece in order to engage your readers and promote some bloggy-chatter!

Topic for Friday February 5th 2010: Baptism.
Baptism of Fire

Caylee sat at a distance from the rest of the onlookers. She was eager to hear what the man in the grey pinstripe suit would say. He had pumped the people a few hours earlier, telling them he had wonderful news to share that would change their lives forever.  He had said his news would 'wake them from their sleep' and open their eyes to something beyond their imaginations. Caylee wondered what this man would say that could change her life. 

At twenty-six, she felt broken, lost and alone. She had learned life dished out tough lessons. At fourteen she had found herself living on the streets with no money, no family and no safe place to stay. Her mother had died and her father had left the city, unable to cope, leaving her to fend for herself.  At fifteen she had been raped by an older man who claimed he wanted to help her. He had lured her with promises to provide a warm place and good food. Caylee had been tired of living in the cold and her belly always aching with hunger. His words had sounded so smooth and convincing.  

The crowd had grown to more than double. The young, the old, men, women and children gathered in excited clusters anxious to hear what the man had to say. Excitement filled the air energizing it with expectancy. Caylee squirmed and twisted trying to get a better view of the man. She noticed a book in his hand. Its black cover appeared worn and tattered but he gripped it as if it were a lifeline.  He was on the thin side and tall, over six feet. He wore a smile that took up most of his face, an indication he had something worth listening to, but still, she couldn't imagine what he could possibly have to say that would change her life. 

Two young men worked on the makeshift stage setting up a sound system and arranging speakers. The gathering of bystanders had more than doubled again. Anticipation ran high. Caylee felt it too. There was an energy, a sense of anticipation. 

Finally, the man walked over to the speaker still clutching that black book in his hand. He tapped on the microphone to ensure it worked. The loud echoing sound brought a hush over the crowd.  A man shouted from the side, "What'cha got for us Man? What'cha got that's gonna change our lives?" Someone else chimed in, "Yeah, what do you got for us? Tell us!"

The man in the grey pinstripe suit straightened his tall frame. He raised the black book up high in the air and cleared his throat. "Thank-you all for coming. I have news, good news to tell you; news that will revolutionize your lives.  This book in my hand is the book of Truth. It is a letter from God, the Creator of everything. He tells us He is going to baptize His people with fire." 

Murmurs from the onlookers rippled through the crowd. Caylee shuddered, feeling a soft breeze blow through her. The man spoke with authority. Leaning forward she strained to hear not wanting to miss one word of what he had to say. The man continued. 

"God promised to 'baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire.' (Mathew 3:1), fire from above. That fire will ignite your lives in ways that will empower you to live a victorious life, a life of freedom, a life of power."

The man's words awakened something in Caylee. She felt an energy, like electricity course through her body. It filled her with hope and faith. Closing her eyes, she drew in a deep breath, aware of an overwhelming sense of peace. It took away that fight, that internal hyper-vigilance she always felt to protect herself. She couldn't contain the joy bubbling up inside and the words 'praise God' spilled from her lips over and over and over. She had an urge to sing, dance and shout. The man spoke Truth. She knew it. When he spoke, she felt as if a fire burned inside her soul pushing her to shout out praises to God. 

His words, "And you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire...." echoed over and over in her mind. She felt the strength of that 'fire' streaming through her like living waters. It gave her a new confidence and a strong sense that everything would be okay. That man had been right. He did have good news. In her heart, Caylee knew her life had been changed. She would never be the same again. She had been given a gift, the power to live her life with victory.