Incoming Call

This short story is based off of a dream I had (the same dream the protagonist encounters).  The protagonist's predicament is based off of troubles I went through and certain thought processes as well.  I have a poem titled, "Incoming Call" as well that is based off my dream.


"I was beaten, demeaned, and insulted." I said.

"Richard, you do understand that all of these are encounters of the Devil, don't you?" Mike assured me.

"Yes, but I just can't get these out of my head.  They beat me from racism, mentally and physically, and I just can't seem to get out of this depression.  I'm weak in my faith, and I have been for twelve prolonged years."

"This is a cohesive battle.  It's up to you if you want to triumph or fail."

"I'm trying.  It's just too hard."

Mike took out his Bible.  "I want you to focus on this verse.  It's from Philippians chapter four, verses six through seven, and it says, 'Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'  You need to pray to Him, asking Him to give you His strength.  You need to forgive these people and let Him know that, and ask Him to forgive you as well."

"I've never prayed before, Mike."

"Then let's start today.  Will you pray with me?"

I looked up at him.  "...Sure."

"Lord Heavenly Father," he began.  "We come to you today on Richard's behalf.  Father, he is having extreme difficulty dealing with his past.  I pray that You give him the boldness he needs to put these things behind him, to forgive these people, and to come to You for all the help he needs.  Whatever Your will is, Father, we ask in Jesus' name that You put the right people and the right words into Richard's life to nourish him in Your Word.  Amen."

"Amen," I said uncomfortably.  I looked up at Mike, "Thanks, Mike.  You're a true friend."

He smirked.  "Not a problem.  And remember, Philippians four, six through seven."  He put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Pray, my friend."

We got up and went to our separate homes.  While I drove home, I prayed to God for the first time in my life.

"God," I began, "I lived my entire childhood being forced to go to church and getting nothing out of it, and I grew up unsure if You actually exist.  I've sought many ways to get help, and nothing's worked.  You're my last resort.  If You truly do exist, God, show me that You are here.  Please...  I beg You...  Amen."


I finally got home and walked to my bedroom.  I looked at the clock.  Damn; it's two in the morning.  I collapsed on my bed and fell asleep.  The next day at school my phone was vibrating in my pocket.  It said:  Jesus.  Confused, I hung up because if I answered, I would have gotten suspended.  Jesus called again once I got home and I hung up because I was doing my homework.  Then God called me, but I didn't answer because I was too tired and wanted some sleep.  A text message woke me up, and it was from God, saying:  I am already here with you.

I woke up to find that this was all a dream.  What was all that?  I walked downstairs and smelled my mom's eggs.

"Hey, mom." I said.

She looked behind her from the stove and smiled.  "Hey, sweetie.  How are you this morning?"

I rubbed my eyes and said, "I'm not sure.  Tired, I guess."

"Hm.  You were out really late last night," she said suspiciously.

"I know, I know.  It's my senior year.  Live it out, eh?"

She giggled.  "Yes, you're right.  So long as you're not living it out in drugs, hm?"

"Mom, you know I'm not stupid enough to go out and do drugs or party and drink all the time."

"I know, Richie.  You know I just worry."

"I know, mom.  Where's dad?"

"He had an early conference at work."

"Oh okay."

She put a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon and an orange in front of me and I ate her delicious breakfast.  I drove to school after I finished and met up with Mike.

"Mike," I said, "I had a crazy dream last night."

"Really?  What was it about?"  I told him the entire dream and he said, "Richie, that's amazing!  What do you think it means?"

I thought for a bit and said, "He's telling me that I'm searching for Him, but in all the wrong places until now.  He's been trying to contact me, but I've been ignoring Him everywhere I'm at.  I've searched long distances for Him, and He has been so close.  He's right here!  ...How have I been so naïve, Mike?"

"You can blame Satan for that one, not yourself."  I then told him about my prayer last night.  "That's amazing, Richie!  You asked for His help, and now He has made known to you that He indeed does exist!  This is a great step!"

"Yeah, but what do I do now?"

He smiled and put his hand on my shoulder.  "You get better."

Justin, the quarterback on my football team, walked up.  "Hey, Jesus freak," he said, talking to Mike.  "Want to perform a miracle for me?"

"It is not my place, in God's purpose for me, to perform miracles, especially one for selfish interest." Mike replied in his wisdom.

"Man, you really are a freak."

"It's okay, Jesus still loves you." Mike said, smiling.

"Whatever, man."  Justin looked at me.  "Hey, dude, let's go.  Class starts in a bit."

I looked at Mike.  He just gave me that look he always gives me...  That everything will be just fine.  I went to class with Justin.

"Why do you hang out with that dork anyway?" Justin asked me.

"We grew up together.  He's been there for me through thick and thin."

"Maybe, but he believes in some stupid, cosmic genie."

"Justin." I said.

"What?" he asked.

"I'd really appreciate it if you'd stop harassing him.  He's my best friend."

"C'mon, man!  I'm just having some fun!  Besides, I thought I was your best friend!"

"No, you're making fun.  I never said you were my best friend either.  I may be your best friend, but Mike is my best friend."

"Man, you're awfully weird today.  I'm your friend too though, right?"

"Yes, but nobody harasses you like you do Mike."

"Ha, ha!  Who the hell would!"

I didn't say anything.  I didn't want to argue with the brute right now.


After school was over Mike called me.  "Hey.  I'm at the church right now.  Get over here, if you don't have football practise.  I have something for you."

"Okay, football practise was cancelled for some reason today.  I'll be there in a few."  I hung up and drove over to the church.  When I walked into the sanctuary, I caught him in the middle of a prayer.  He was on his knees in front of the altar.

"So I thank You, Lord.  I was filled with loneliness, angst, and sorrow until You found me.  I was bitter like black coffee and You made me sweet like tea.  I was apathetic, and You gave me compassion.  When I am weak, You make me strong.  I was tired for the longest time, and You opened my eyes.  I was independent of You, and now I depend on You.  Richie reminds me a lot about me.  Do for him what You did for me.  Like him, You called me and I always ignored You, but then my stubbornness ceased for just a moment and I listened to You speak as You altered my mind and heart.  My heart was in pieces, and you put the puzzle together.  Thank You, Lord.  For so long I was blind, and You healed my sight.  In Jesus' name I pray, amen."

"When in the world were you bitter, apathetic, and weak?" I asked  him once he finished.

He stood up.  "Oh, hey, Richie.  I've had my fair share of battles too, you know.  I wasn't born with this faith.  I had to fight for it, just like you are right now.  Nobody is born with steadfast faith.  Everyone has to work at it."

"Yeah.  What did you have for me?"

Always being direct, he said, "Do you want to get saved?"

"...Yes," I answered, "I do.  More than anything right now."

"But are you ready?"

"Yes.  After that dream last night, I want it.  I need it.  I cannot ignore a loving God who clearly exists and wants to know me."

"Good.  Come, and kneel before the altar."

I walked up to the altar and kneeled before it.  I prayed this prayer with Mike:  "Lord Heavenly Father, I come before You in repentance.  I declare Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and I believe with all my mind and heart that He died for my sins and rose from the dead.  I forgive all those who have done wrong against me, and here I kneel today, asking for Your forgiveness of all my sins.  From this moment on I trust in You, and I thank You for Your Son's sacrifice on the Cross.  Thank You, Father, for my full salvation.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen."

I finished the prayer in tears.  I felt so... different.  For the longest time I felt dead, and now I feel alive.  I am saved!

We stood up.  "What's next?" I asked.

"A complete change in your lifestyle." he answered.

"Like what?"

"First, we start with your environment.  Right now, you have a few friends that are dangerous for you to spend a lot of time with."

"Like Justin."

"Exactly."

"So are you telling me to quit football?"

"No, not at all.  God gave you that gift and He has you there for a reason, whatever that may be.  Use it.  You just need to be wise in whom you surround yourself with."

"What do I tell him?"

"The truth.  That his acquaintance will hinder you from your faith in God unless he also chooses to follow Jesus."

"But then he'll begin to make fun of me."

"Why does that matter?  Remember what Jesus said in Matthew chapter five, verses eleven through twelve:  'Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me.  Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven.  For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.' "

"Wow, I never even knew that..." I said, ruminating upon these words of Christ.

"I know.  A very important step is to get baptised whenever you feel that you're ready.  It's entirely up to you.  You have to make that personal decision yourself."

"What exactly is baptism?"

"It's the public acknowledgement of your personal and private identification with Jesus Christ.  You are telling Him in front of everyone, 'I'm submitting myself completely to You.  I'm surrendering myself to You.'  Also through baptism, you are witnessing to the call of God upon your life.  Romans chapter six, verses three through four says:  'Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptised unto Christ Jesus were baptised unto His death?  Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life.' "

"So, by getting baptised, I become a new person."

"Exactly!  And by this, God will soon show you your service for His church — the body of Christ, and for the world."

"Yes, I want to be baptised."

"Are you sure you want that right now, at this very moment?"

"Yes, Mike, I do.  I am ready to surrender my life to Christ.

Mike had a huge smile on his face.  "That's great!  Just keep that same desire until we have our next baptismal service in a couple weeks."

"...How do you do it?" I asked.

"Do what?"

"Keep your composure when people like Justin criticise you.  It doesn't even bother you?"

"Of course it bothers me; I still have feelings, Richie.  But I didn't always react the way I do now.  I began practising showing love instead of anger and hate.  Just as you wouldn't be where you are in football today without a lot of practise, I wouldn't be where I am today with my faith in Christ without a lot of practise.  You can only improve from hereon out."

We went our separate ways home.  I was really excited to get home and tell my parents about what had happened today.  I got home just in time for dinner.

"You got home late," my dad said.  "Where were you?  Were you at school late?"  He's always the suspicious one.

"Mom, dad!" I exclaimed.  "I just got saved!"

They looked up at me with astonishment and utter joy.  My mom began to cry and my dad kept saying how proud he was of me.

"Richard, that's just... a miracle!" my mom exclaimed.  "Who helped you get saved?"

"It was Mike!" I answered.

"We owe Mike our ultimate gratitude," my dad said.

"Yeah, he's such an awesome friend.  I'm getting baptised at the next baptismal service in a couple weeks, too!"

"Oh my gosh!" my mom squeaked, crying even more.

"That's great, son," my dad said, patting me on the back and hugging me.  "God's got an amazing plan for you."


I spent the next three weeks trying to think of what I was going to say to Justin.  I still have nothing.  I just have to wing it.  I pulled him aside during football practise.

"Justin," I said, "I need to talk to you."

"Okay, sure." he said.

"This isn't going to be easy."

"What is it?  Tell me."

I sighed and said, "I don't think we can be friends anymore."

"What!  Why not?"

"I got saved three weeks ago, and —"

"What the hell do you mean?  You almost died?"

"No, no.  Not like that.  I declared Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, and seeing how you hate Christians, I don't see how we can continue being friends.  I believe in Him and love Him, and I'm getting baptised this Sunday."

"...You're serious?"

"Yes, why would I joke about this?  Justin, a couple weeks ago you told Mike to perform a miracle for you.  Well, here I am.  Your miracle."  There was an awkward silence.

"You know," he said, "we both know that you've been depressed for a very long time, and I've been trying to help you.  These past three weeks, I've noticed that you haven't been the depressed Richie I've always known you to be.  You're different.  You're happy..."

"Yeah, I really am.  Jesus does that."

"Does it really work?" he asked.

I was really surprised by his whole responses.  "Yes, it works!  Just look at me as an example!  I'm a testimony to His great love!  Where therapy and anti-depressants have failed, Jesus Christ prevailed.  It's only been three weeks and my life is much better!"

"...Can I come to your baptism?"

Now I was beyond surprised.  "Of course!"

I called Mike after practise.  "Dude, you will never believe what just happened!"

"What?  Did you finally confront Justin?"

Man, he has good instinct.  I swear Mike has a sixth sense.  "Yes!  Ands he wants to come to my baptismal service!"

"Holy crap!  Are you serious!"

"Yeah, man!"

"Dude, this is amazing!  You are a living testimony to him!  God is already working through you!"

"I know!  This is just too amazing and exciting!  God works so fast!"


At my baptism I stood in the warm water with my pastor, Pastor John.

"Would you like to say a few words, Richard?" Pastor John asked.

"Yes," I said into the microphone in front of the congregation.  "First of all, I'd like to thank Mike.  Mike, ever since we were kids, you have always been there for me.  You've been there through my depression and you never gave up on me.  You introduced me to the Lord, and here I stand today, happy for the very first time in my life, just three weeks after being saved.  I'd also like to thank my parents for always supporting me and praying for me.  Before, I didn't think prayer worked, but now I see that it certainly does.  You see, mom and dad, I would always sneak up to your bedroom when I heard you guys praying, and I heard you praying that I'd somehow find a way to God.  God has answered your prayers.  And in less than twenty-four hours, God has answered the first prayer I've ever said to Him.  Prayer works, and God works."

With that, Pastor John submerged me under the water as I was baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit.  After the service, I witnessed Justin talking to Mike in getting saved.  Justin was in tears as we prayed the sinner's prayer with him, and he got baptised that very same day.