NOTE: This is a fictional retelling of a Bible story. See the footnote at the bottom of the narrative for
the scripture passage that inspired this modern version of the biblical account.
Dan Judan wondered how long it had been since
he’d had a full night’s sleep since his twin boys (Meads and Persil) had come
home from the hospital two weeks ago. With the crying, midnight bottle
feedings, and diaper changes. Dan was starting to feel like a zombie.
Dan’s last job of the afternoon at the zoo
was to feed and check on the four lions, of which the zoo owned. His assistants
(Harlan, Michael, and Azan) had been invaluable in keeping this area running
efficiently in his current state of exhaustion.
The big chunks of meat would be thrown
through the opening in the gate to the hungry lions on the other side. Today Dan
also needed to check on the pregnant lioness that was going to deliver soon.
She’d been having problems. He threw the meat to the other three lions to
distract them while he checked on Denise. The usual procedure for an exam like
this would be to move the other lions to another cage, and tranquilize the
female. The only problem with this was one never knew what effect the
tranquilizer could have on the baby.
Dan had worked with these lions long enough
that he trusted them implicitly. As he checked Denise over, her mate came over
and rubbed his big head on his leg as if to say, “Take good care of her she’s
my life.” Dan nodded he would. So far everything appeared fine with Denise. Dan’s
mind started wondering to the co-workers who’d complain to his boss about him quietly
praying three times a day at the zoo. It really was none of their business.
After the big cats were fed and taken care
of, Dan figured it wouldn’t hurt to crawl in the corner and get a few minutes
of uninterrupted shut eye, which he did immediately. In what seemed like a few
seconds, he heard someone calling his name. His boss showed up, and in
amazement spoke.
“Dan, you are a daring man. It looks like you
were rescued from the lions once again. Please get out of the lion’s cage. You
make me nervous. By the way, your wife has been trying to reach you on your iPhone
about something important.
His boss left, and Dan pulled his phone out
of his pocket to see a multitude of missed calls and text messages. He had put
his iPhone on silence around the lions, and forgot to check it. He quickly
dialed home.
An irritated wife answered, “Dan, what have
you been doing? I’ve been trying to reach you for hours. The twins and I are
fed and ready to go with you as a family to the spiritual deliverance service
our church is having tonight. Did you forget? Dinner is done so stop by, and
get yourself something to eat on the way home. We’ll be cutting it close to get
there on time.”
“Do I really have to go? The only thing I
want to be delivered to is bed.”
“Dan, there’s no bail out option with this.
We’ve been planning on this for weeks. Plus I am just as tired as you are. I
love you, and will see you home soon.” And that was the end of that short
discussion. Guess who was the victor,
and who was the loser?
“If
God could close the mouth of lions for Daniel, part the Red Seas for Moses,
make the sun stand still for Joshua, open the prison for Peter, put a baby in
the arms of Sarah, and raise Lazarus from the dead, then He can certainly take
care of you! Nothing you are facing today is too hard for Him to handle.” (Anonymous)[i]
[i] Adapted from: All for One: The Towns of Ohio
Completer Trilogy by Robert Kinker, Book Two: Chapter Thirty-One ”Sleeping
with the Lions” Daniel 1:6, 6:1-28
Very true.
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