by Nancy Hopper
Sam looked away as the realization sunk in. He was ready to cry his eyes out again, in front of all these people. He shook his head and tried to pull himself away from the tent, but she started singing – and he couldn’t do it. He had to listen. And, he had to stare.
She looked like a lovely angel, in her shining white dress. She looked sweet and pure, with her round, pink cheeks and her big, luminous eyes. Her soft, lovely lips were curved into a smile, and her hair shone with soft luster. She sang A Capella. Sam found himself watching the swell of her chest as she breathed deep, thinking as he looked, how his hands fit almost around her tiny waist.
“Cast all your troubles, cast them upon Him. He alone is able to bear,
Don’t let your heart break under the load, Ask Him and He will be there.”
“Oh, doubtful heart, won’t you come trusting In He who is sure to care,
In the darkest night, darling, He’ll surely be near you,
when you meet with despair.”
“Cast all your burdens, cast them upon Him, Hang them upon Calvary’s cross
And leave them there, leave them forever;
Let his love wash away all that is lost.
Come away with me, my bride. Come away, my darling, come away
Come stand by my side. Come away, my darling, come away.”
Jeremy came in on the piano, and Callie repeated the lilting, haunting melody. Her voice was sweet and robust, just right for the folk melody of the song. Sam closed his eyes, and drew the healing words deep into his heart.
Callie always had a way of getting just the right song, just the right words to minister to the hearts of the people in the tent. Sam had to chuckle. How did she do it?
The Lord answered his question instantly. “She wrote this tonight. It wasn’t Rose, or any Irish saint whose song she’s singing. She is singing My song, as I give it to her. She is My Psalmist, My Prophetess, My songbird.”
Sam felt the song pierce his heart deeply, as he began to recognize the significance of what he was hearing. Callie’s song was a prophetic word for the people, fresh from God. What a gift! What an anointing! And she was just a babe in the Lord.
What, he wondered, would Callie be capable of ministering in the fullness of time? His head began to spin, in wonder at what he felt happening around him as Callie released the song into the heavens and the earth for the very first time.
The Holy Spirit answered him. “Anything and everything.”
Release flooded the house as Callie sang. Her creative work had done a wonderful job. She was amazed and humbled by the results she saw. Sam was undone. He shook his head, and tried very hard to hold his emotions. This woman was incredible in what she was capable of doing for God!
“She is obedient to Me.” The Lord told him plainly. “She doesn’t understand why, or much about My ways; but she loves Me, and she is willing to obey My prompting. She has a childlike trust. Such I can use.”
Sam felt devastated. God trusted Callie, far more than he did. She had developed into a prophetic psalmist right before his eyes, and he hadn’t recognized any of the work until just now, when his face was pushed in it and gently rubbed around.
Sam laughed until he had to sink to his knees in weakness, and gasp for breath. All the burdens he’d been carrying that day slipped from his shoulders and fled.
There was a spiritual release all across the house, as Callie sang. She recognized that her new song had done a creative work in the people as it came forth. She was humbled, and amazed.
Sam finally regained his senses and took the stage, and Sean was there on the steps to meet him. He whispered in Sam’s ear, and Sam gave him the microphone. Sean turned a very deep shade of pink, and found it difficult to lift his eyes to the people.
“My name is Sean Mattson.” He said uncomfortably. “I got saved a few weeks ago, here in the tent, and I decided to quit my job and come along with the tent. I liked what God was doing in my life, and I loved Him. But I thought I guess, that I could just go on being the same guy I was, and kind of doing my own thing. You know, stuff like having a good drunk if I wanted it, or smoke some … thing, or getting too friendly with a pretty girl. I figured out today that the devil would really like to rob me of … everything.”
“Thank God, I’ve got a pastor like Sam to set me right, when I get off track. He ain’t afraid to tell you where the door is, and knock you right off your high horse. And yet, he’s so absolutely … nice about it. And he’s got this way of telling you exactly -- so you can see the consequences of your actions and the choices you’re going to have to make, now that you screwed things up.”
“And yet you never, ever feel like he’s mad at you, you just … wish you could wiggle under a rock or something to get away from those eyes … the truth looking right back at you, reflecting what you did – into the light of the cross.”
“He showed me that I really haven’t done much to bow to the master; and that salvation isn’t a heck of a lot of good, if you’re going to just be real satisfied in it and not go any deeper with God.”
“I found out tonight that Jesus really has to be Lord in my life, if I’m going to be any good to Him on the earth. You know, He showed me that I can be like the servant that buried the one talent his master gave him, and the master called him wicked because he didn’t do anything with what he was given; and then even what he had was taken away. I don’t want it to be like that. I don’t want life as usual. I want Him to give me more, and then more, and then more, because He trusts me.”
Sean sighed, and regrouped. “I’ll be honest with you. I got real mad when Sam confronted me, this afternoon. But he showed me that I was using and hurting a real lady, and that it was wrong. He let me know he wouldn’t allow it to go on.”
“And after thinking about it and really asking God, I can see that I have to lay down my wants and follow after Jesus. I don’t want to just look saved -- but inside, still be the same old guy who doesn’t care about anything or anybody but himself. I want to be free of all that.”
“So, I’m here to say I’m sorry to the lady; and to Sam, and the whole team. I’m going to change. I’m going to become the kind of guy that everybody will see Jesus in. So help me God.”
“He will, Sean.” Sam said quietly. He put his hand up and caught him as he fell to the stage. Sadie was watching from the back of the tent, her eyes wide and tears of joy flowing.
Sam faced the crowd wearily. “What he said is the absolute truth. I had a very confused young lady and a belligerent young man to confront this afternoon. It’s one of the less pleasant duties of pastoring. But the secret to all of it is, letting Jesus be Lord, and letting the Holy Spirit take charge of your life in every situation.”
He laughed at the floor, and shook his head ruefully. “That includes me.” He admitted quietly. “I was wondering how I’d get my mind off this situation tonight, so that I could minister. Here is the answer -- I finally let the Lord do it for me. He brought immediate repentance.”
“And as for Sean; he came and laid himself at the Master’s feet. I respect his honesty, and his decision. It will be my pleasure to be able to support him as he begins to live for God.”
“You know, it always hurts when the Lord exposes those areas of our hearts that need to change. When He puts His finger on the bad spot, and pushes the issue to the surface, it’s something no one wants to see, most of all the person with the problem. What we’ve got to realize is, that if the thing weren’t ugly and festering, God would leave it inside us. He only roots out the things in our hearts that he did not plant.”
“It is very important that we let the Refiner send His fire. Just look at the fruit that comes, when you let Him in. Sean is repenting and getting free of this thing that would stumble him all his life, if he didn’t face it and get past it. It would hold him back, again and again.”
“Callie’s song came as a call to Sean and others like him. It was a spontaneous call for all of us to cast our burdens on J
esus. That song allowed me to cast my burdens on Him.”
“Please, think about it; what did that song do inside you? What did it bring to mind? Search your heart, and let God talk to you. What does He want to do with you, tonight?”
The message continued on, flowing out and unfolding, rich and wonderful. Sam didn’t preach too long, because he could feel repentance begin to come, begin to sweep through the people. Hearts were beginning to break open. He called people up for prayer, and then turned to find Callie.
When their eyes met, he motioned for her to come to his side. He whispered in her ear, “Stand with me. Help me pray, will you?”
Callie nodded, a bit surprised. She began to flow with it, though, and was greatly blessed as she felt the anointing on Sam, and the flow of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes he used her hands, when he was praying for a woman. He’d put her hand on a woman, and then put his hand over hers. She felt honored, and touched that he would ask her to be a part of this, with him. She felt the power of God flowing, and it humbled her deeply.
She became aware of a new dimension in Sam, as she watched him minister. He was so compassionate, and so humble. He approached each person with respect and openness. And a very personal caring.
After the service, Sam was pulled aside to talk to some men that Callie didn’t know. She looked for Sadie, and couldn’t find her anywhere. Sean was still in the tent, she noted with satisfaction.
Callie went back to the trailer. Sadie was there, already in bed. Callie sat beside her, and put her arms around her. “How are you doing?” she asked gently.
“Oh, all right.” Sadie sighed. “Man, what a nightmare this day has been.”
“I can imagine.” Callie agreed.
“God isn’t letting me get away with anything, is He?” she asked almost angrily.
“Well,” Callie hedged. “I rather think, really, that perhaps it is the mercy of the Lord, that kept you from a bigger mistake. Looking back at a time when I was in similar shoes, if I’d gone too far with Sam, it would have ruined everything. Probably beyond repair.”
“That’s true.” Sadie admitted. “It’s just that I really want Sean. I do.”
“I truly do understand.” Callie assured her. “I was really ticked off when I couldn’t have Sam, when and how I wanted him. But it’s quite clearly expected that we wait and marry these men.”
“Yeah. I can relate. Except that I’m not sure I want to marry Sean. I want him, you know, on a male-female level, but I don’t think he’d be all that much fun to be married to. I mean, he’s something of a rebel.”
“Well; then you’ll need to pray for him.” Callie sighed. “You have to take all, or nothing. I’ve learned that, if nothing else.”
“Drat it all, anyway.” Sadie growled. “Would you listen to that wind pick up?”
“Yes, it’s really something, isn’t it?” Callie agreed uneasily. “I’m bushed. I think I’ll go on to bed.”
“All right. I’ll see you in the morning, then.” Sadie yawned. “G’night, Cal.”
Callie put on her gown, and climbed into bed without further ado. It was getting cold, and the wind was trying to whistle its way into the cracks of the trailer.
Sam was notified within the hour that there were tornado warnings posted for the area. Sam, Clyde and several of the other men got busy, tying the tent off to trucks for stability. Though the tornadoes were actually expected to go through about forty miles east of their location, the winds were already something to contend with.
When he had done all he could do to batten the hatches, Sam made his way to the trailer, and knocked softly on the door.
Callie was sound asleep, but Sadie was still tossing. She got up and opened the door.
“Did Callie come in?” he asked worriedly.
“Yes. She’s sound asleep.” Sadie assured him.
“Good. You two stay put tonight, we’ve got tornado warnings.” Sam advised.
“I'm not surprised.” Sadie sighed. “We’re all set.”
“All right. They’re supposed to go through fifty miles east, so we shouldn’t have anything more than some winds. You two take care, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“G’night, Sam.” She whispered.
At four in the morning, a raging, howling wind swept through the valley. Sadie awoke to a horrendous, cracking sound. She sat up, just in time to watch a giant shape obliterate the window at the front of the trailer above Callie’s bed. Something shattered the window above Callie, and filled the space where the window had been, from one end to the other. It settled over Callie and then came to rest – a great, swaying darkness.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Oh, my God! My God, Callie!” Sadie shouted. She tore across the trailer and found herself stumbling into the branches of a large, thick tree.
“Callie!” she shouted again, but there was no response.
The tree had fallen across the front of the trailer, its direct hit missing Callie by scant inches. The giant limbs of the tree had whipped out the window above her bed, and trapped Callie deep within a prison of heavy, dense branches. Sadie couldn’t see, feel or touch her.
She struggled through the mess, and made her way to the door. Finally free, she ran, screaming for Sam. She beat on the door to Clyde’s trailer with her fists. “Sam!”
He opened the door and came out fastening a pair of jeans, followed by two other men. “What’s the matter?”
“Callie! A tree fell! She’s buried, Sam! Oh, God!” she sobbed.
Pain and fear paralyzed Sam's heart. “Clyde, get a chainsaw.” he snapped, with a grim look. He took off at a dead run, grabbing an ax that sat against the trailer’s side.
He opened the trailer door, and fought his way through the branches to get inside. His pounding heart momentarily stopped beating; then, it pounded like a locomotive. She was totally buried. He wondered if she could even breathe.
“Jesus.” He whispered plaintively.
He found Callie’s hand, and checked her wrist for a pulse. It was there, but it was not regular, nor strong. He grimaced, and tried not to panic. He pulled branches to and fro, trying to find the ones above her head.
Without knowing what was happening next to Callie’s body, he couldn’t use the ax. He could easily drive a broken branch into her body and kill her, if he didn’t use the utmost care.
“Sam?” Clyde called from outside.
“She’s alive, but her pulse is weak and erratic. Clyde, I can’t work from in here. Get up on a truck or something, and start cutting the branches off, from out there. Start over this end, above her head. We’re going to have to work fast, but very carefully until I can be sure she’s getting air. I don’t know how bad she’s hurt, or where the branches are. So work slowly, and carefully. Cut a branch, and then wait while I start feeding it out to you. Okay?”
“Got it, Sam.” Clyde answered glumly. He nodded to Sean, and told him to drive his pickup as close as possible. Then, he fired up the chainsaw.
Clyde bit his tongue and shook his head. This was a bad, bad business. He saw Sam shake a branch and in response, he cut it off. Then, as Sam pushed, he pulled on the branch, and it slid out fairly easily. He was grateful to find workers behind him, ready to catch the branch and get it out of the way. The whole camp was awake and ready to help, now.
“All right, Clyde, work underneath the one we just cut, if you can. And have somebody call an ambulance. Her pulse is weakening."
A murmur of dismay went through those outside.
"I'll do it." Sadie answered immediately.
It was a tedious job, and one that required the utmost care. They worked above her head, until Sam was sure she could get enough air. Soon, Sam was able to see her face. Her eyes were shut, and there was a deep gash in her forehead, filled with debris. A branch had clearly snapped against her forehead, and Callie was unconscious.
Sam shook his head, and sighed heavily. It didn’t look good. The only good thing about it, was th
at Callie had no idea of her predicament. He was extremely worried, and prayed without ceasing as they worked.
"Dear God." He said weakly, trying to extricate the branch from around her head. Thank goodness, it came away fairly easily. But, the blood began to flow out of the wound, as the obstructions left. Sam hoped that he had done the right thing. He let the blood flow until most of the debris had been lifted out of the holes, using his handkerchief to work the dirt and needles away from the wounds. Then, he put his handkerchief down, and used direct pressure to try to stop the copious bleeding.
"Go ahead, Clyde." He urged, feeling that if there were other bleeds like this one, they should be moving faster. Still, he knew they had to be careful. He felt frantic inside, in one part of him -- but the other part was resting in Jesus. He could feel the Lord's Presence with him.
The Aid Car arrived just as Sam and Clyde were cutting the branches away from her legs. The good news was, there were no other obvious wounds outside of a few abrasions. A man and a woman paramedic fought their way through the branches, and entered the trailer.
"There is a deep-looking hole in her forehead, but I haven't found any other bleeds. Her pulse still really concerns me, though. It’s picked up a bit now that she’s getting more air, but it’s still weak."
"Good job. Go ahead now, and let us look her over. I'll get the head." One of the men directed.
Sam nodded, and stepped back. It wasn't long before they were putting her carefully on a backboard, and taking her out to the van. One of the men turned to Sam. "What hit her head? Glass, or a branch?"
"A branch. It was still over her head when I came in. I didn't see any glass in it."
"That's good. I suspect a skull fracture, so I'm pretty sure we'll be taking her in. Are you related to her?"
"I'm the closest thing she's got here, but we're not married." Sam replied.