Welcome to the short story page of the LOTH Talent Showcase. Here you will find short stories of under 500 words which were written by the creative women of Ladies of the Heart. Items posted here are with the authors permission. Do not link to, copy, alter or use in any way the writings seen here. If you wish to use these stories or any part of them, you must ask for permission from the individual author as listed below.

Stories posted here do not necessarily reflect the views or philosophies of the membership or leaders of LOTH. They are intended to reflect only the opinions and views of the member who submitted them. By posting any submission LOTH Talent Showcase does not show bias toward any contrasting point of view.

Short Stories on this page will be rotated throughout the year.

The Stories

THE WHIPPING POST

Jesus was tied and led out to where the whipping post was located, They tied his hands tightly to the post and made him kneel. His back was bare, exposing his flesh to those who bore the whip. With force they brought the whip down onto his back. Each strand of the whip was threaded with bits of bone or metal. About thirty-nine of them digging deep into his tortured flesh. Over and over the whip snapped and cracked.. Would it never stop?

The blood poured as his bones became exposed to the whippers so cruel and mean. Pieces of his flesh fell to the blood stained pavement All Hell was against this poor man it seemed. He bit his lips in agony and pain. And screamed out His Father's name. With each thrash of their hand so cold and hard, I wondered, "Oh Lord,how can you take it?" He looked at me and whispered, "Dee,I am doing this for you, my child! For you to become strong!" Believe in my message of love, and you will never go wrong!" At these words I tried to grab the soldier's hand, He pushed me away. I grabbed for the whip! I heard Jesus say, "It is alright my child. Everything will be ok." I cried out to the guard, "How can people be so unmerciful? What if this were your son or brother? Or perhaps your father. Would you still bare down so cruel and hard? Look at what you are doing! You are tearing this poor man's body apart. You seem to lap up his innocent blood like a thirsty dog! Are you not human? Have you no feelings or heart?" In raging fury he turned his whip on me. I began to feel the pain and bare the marks. I was saving Jesus from at least one or two blows. Jesus then collapsed. He seemed to have passed out from all the torture and pain. I crawled over to him and whispered his precious name. The soldiers came and kicked us both very hard. I tried to cover Jesus body with my own, But they drug me away.

They spat upon us both. "Fools! nothing but fools!" they shouted. But I did not care what they did to me. I wanted them to leave my saviour alone. Let him go free . But that was never going to be. They took pride in their evil way with the whip. The flesh was stripped away from my Lord's back and sides. He was covered with his own blood.

As soon as he was aroused, They jerked him up and placed a crown of thorns on his brow. They draped a kingly robe around his bleeding torn body. And drug him to the balcony for display. "Here is your king!" I heard them shout and say. The whipping post, I will never forget it. There a man's life is nothing. There the whipping man is free to unleash the fury of hell. He will never in this life time have to pay for his crime. The crime of causing human suffering as his job. But in eternity he will pay a high price at the hands of an angry mob. The fury of every soul in hell shall be his lot. As they beat upon him for beating the man who could have saved them all had they listened. Yes! his governor Pilate, the rabbis, the scribes shall all turn on him. But They were more guilty of his crime. They made him do it. But they will put the blame on him and each other.

The Rabbi's and Scribes brought the charges against Jesus. Pilate gave the orders for him to be beaten. The soldier with whip in hand carried it out to the finish and then led him to the cross to be crucified. "O God,Forgive us all!" I said, as as I stood there beneath the cross and cried.

I will never forget that awful whipping post..! As it was there Jesus gave me my healing. With each deep stripe he received upon his naked back. "By his stripes I was healed. By his stripes I am healed.

DIDI ETELAMAKI

RAIN DROPS

If we never had a cloud, we would have no rain. If we had no rain, we would run out of water. If we had no water, things would dry up and die. So you see,it is true, "That all things work together for our good". Each cloud has a story of it's own. Each little raindrop is a tiny little world.

What caused the cloud to form? Where was the rain drop before it found itself inside the cloud? Was it in some child's play pool, or on the grass after someone watered their lawn? Was it in a lake, a pond, stream or the ocean deep? How many people or animals or fish had jostled it around while walking or swimming?

Just think about the mystery of the rain drop. It had been somewhere on earth or in sky. The Sun sucked it into a beautiful, sometimes dark and ugly cloud, Where it was stored until God thought it was needed back upon the earth. For the purpose of allowing some animal, human, bird or plant to drink of it. Of course we know that the raindrop then travels through the system of whatever drank of it, and it again is returned to water the earth, just to be sucked up again by the Sun to form a cloud which will become full of raindrops to rewater the earth.

Our trials are like those clouds that form for the rain drops, which are our testings. They are needed for our spiritual growth. Without them we would never grow and become strong in the Lord. Without those spiritual raindrops falling on our head, we would not grow and learn the knowledge of His word. We would not obtain strength to face just plain old everyday life and its sorrow. So bless the clouds. Bless the rain. Bless every small drop of it. Learn the lessons they teach us. Learn to run and jump and roll through the mud puddles. It can be fun. Smile! lift up your head toward heaven and splash through each puddle formed by the rain.(Your troubles)

We do not always like the rain, the storms, ect. But they are needed for the good of our soul, for the earth. Singing in the rain. Raindrops keep falling on my head. But I will bless the Lord at all times. Study the books of Job, and proverbs. So much wisdom to be found as you study. have patience. study patience. Learn to listen. Learn to be quiet. Learn to learn. Learn not to grumble and complain about lifes trials. they come to us all . It matters not if we are good or bad. Be content where you are. Because he is with you always. You are not alone. Little raindrops hold the fruit of life inside.

DIDI ETELAMAKI

*Disclaimer*

LOTH/The Talent Committee is not responsible for any claims as to authorship of any stories appearing on this page. Listed artists claim sole ownership of any work bearing their name. Any disputes as to ownership must be taken up with said listed artist.