Uninvited Visitor (A Halloween Story)

  

Uninvited Visitor

The knocking at my door was more of a violent scratching, like my dog does when he wants inside. 

I pulled the curtain aside and peered out to view the hooded dark figure as he continued to thump and tap loudly. 

Opening the door just a crack was enough for him to push against the door and gain entrance even without a formal invitation. 

I asked his name, and he mumbled something and then quietly moved to a corner to sit and hide while he continued observing me. 

Finally I told him I was certain that I did not want him in my home. 

He spoke in whispers and in a nagging monologue began to berate me and tell me how bad I was, and that I was no good.  

His voice rose up a tone or two as he gained confidence in what he was about; “You do nothing right, and no one likes you,” was spewing from his lips. 

“It was all your fault and you have no one to blame except yourself,” he continued. 

“Even God will never forgive you, and you will never make heaven your home!” 

How could I shut up this disgusting creature, and how could I entreat him to leave? 

All that he alleged was both true and at the same time false, but now I was hurting in the pit of my stomach as he continued to criticize and rebuke my being. 

Crying out to God for help seemed not to reach heaven. I had asked forgiveness, long ago, and had become a “Good Christian,” so why was he doing this to me? 

My thoughts turned to recent readings in my Bible, and I remembered a verse in Romans that I quoted often. I began to shout it out loud to this strange uninvited visitor. 

Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 

Gaining confidence - - and with a bold voice, I spoke to my visitor, and told him that Jesus lives here and that he must leave and not return.  

With a crooked smile, he raised himself, and slowly slinked toward the open door and left. 

But as he trudged down the path, he turned and called to me - - “I’ll be back!"

I answered: "Not so, because with God's Word helping me; I will keep the door shut."

~ ~ ~