by Mary Wingfield Bell
Chapter Eleven -
Delight was excited! She was happy! This had to be the day
that she would receive her healing. She read her Bible for half an
hour and stayed in her bedroom praying for half an hour.
Excitement of being well was so overwhelming that she ate very
little for lunch and only drank milk in the afternoon.
When it was almost five o'clock a terrible storm came up. The
blue sky quickly turned black. Suddenly the wind was bending
trees, then breaking the limbs and throwing them to the groun.
Wide crooked streaks of lightning flashed everywhere. Hail was
falling all around the house outside and making noises on the
roof. The white little balls struck the window panes. Electric
lights went out but Grandpa had made a fire in the fireplace. Warm
fire light brightened the dark house with its flickering shadows
dancing on the walls.
Delight hoped the storm would stop as quickly as it had come
up. But it did not cease. Over three hours lightning flashed.
Thunder clapped loudly like the sound of bombs and the rain poured
down.
Finally the storm ended but it was much too late to leave for
Clintsville. Mrs. Pump called to say how sorry she was that they
could not go.
The Capley girl was more than disappointed. She was so hurt to
lose the chance to have the preacher lay hands on her that she
went to her bedroom and cried herself to sleep. At midnight she
awoke and cried again.
"God," she said, looking to the ceiling, "I thought you would
heal me tonight. And oh! My leg hurts now."
"I am the Lord that healeth thee," the words came from inside
of her. She remembered having read them in her Bible. That verse
had built her faith. And again she had a peaceful assurance that
God had not forgotten her. He would heal her! Her leg quit hurting
and she fell into a peaceful sleep. She dreamed of running,
jumping, skipping and swimming.
How refreshed the girl felt when morning came. The storm had
passed by. She limped to the window and looked out at the grass
and trees in her yard which seemed to be greener than the day
before. She thought about God having given the world a bath and
how beautiful the day was. This is my day. I will be happy all
day.
Delight joined her grandparents at the breakfast table. Mr.
and Mrs. Capley were glad to see the girl in a cheerful mood. They
heard her crying in the night and knew that it was because she did
not get to go to the meeting in Clintsville. If Delight mentioned
being disappointed, Grandma was going to tell her that there
would be another chance.
The girl did not mention the plan that failed or anything
about the night before, instead her face glowed with anticipation.
There was an aura of joy about her as if she knew something great
was about to happen.
Finishing her oatmeal with raisins, she asked to be excused.
"I am going to my place," said Delight.
"But dear," warned Grandma, "most likely it will be wet under
that big old tree."
"I can dry off when I come back," promised the
granddaughter. "Don't worry, Grandma, everything will be all
right."
She left the Bible on the bedroom table. It was wet getting
through the grass with her crutches and she was sprinkled from the
leafy foliage she touched.
Here Delight was under the grapevine tree where everything
appeared the same except it was all wet - the tree, the leaves
beneath her feet and the grapevine that dangled from the limb over
her.
The girl lingered in the cool day shade, looking all around
her. What a golden moment this turned out to be. Suddenly a stream
of light slid down through the tree limbs and a heavenly sunshine
beam came flooding in. All around Delight was a fragrance, like
honeysuckle, filling the air.
Delight was sure now that this was the chosen time and place,
made just for her. She was correct.
In the sweetness of this time, a hand took hold of hers and
threw her crutches against the tree. The Capley girl knew this was
Jesus, the Lord of creation.
"Child, I have come to heal you, "Jesus spoke gently, "because
of your faith. Believing has healed you. Go in perfect health."
Delight felt bathed in love and wrapped in joy when she
stooped to take off the brace she had worn for such a long time.
The miracle worker was here.
"I love you, Jesus," the girl said. "Thank you!
"I love you and you are welcome," He returned.
The Capley girl had never seen such a wonderful smile. He was
gone instantly but the fragrance of his presence was there.
Delight suddenly realized that she was no longer a cripple.
I must tell Grandpa and Grandma she thought. She began
running. I'm running, wow!
When Grandpa saw her coming, tears began to flow down his
cheek. His baby could run. She was healed!
"Comfort! Come here!" he called.
Mrs. Capley came onto the porch and saw Delight without her
crutches. "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!," she shouted,
dancing all over the back porch.
Delight told them that Jesus had come and explained how she
still felt warm and loved by His presence. She was a giant bubble
of happiness.
"I got to tell Abner and Maggie, Grandma!" Delight was almost
breathless from excitement. "I got to tell the whole world."
The girl ran freely out the front gate with Popcorn following.
The crutches were missing and the dog seemed to sense something
special had happened.
Abner saw Delight coming up the bumpy road.
"Yipee!" he yelled. "Here comes Delight and she is
running!"
Hilda and Maggie hurried outside to see.
"Glory to God!" Hilda cried out. "Glory to God!"
When Delight came close, she and Mrs. Canberry hugged each
other. Maggie was so surprised even though she had looked forward
to this day. She was speechless. It was a wonderful time in
Dogwood Hollow. Everyone there was very happy.
Delight told her neighbors how the real Jesus had come and how
wonderful He was. She told about the good time under the grapevine
tree.
"What grapevine tree?" asked Abner.
"That was a secret I kept for awhile," she said. "I waited
there often and He did come at last. I'll show you the tree later.
Right now I want to do what I promised you I would do when this
day arrived."
"Yeah! Delight!" Abner invited. "Let's see who can reach the
rock spring first."
Delight raced for the first time in her life. The way was
strewn with pebbles and large stones. She stepped carefully as she
ran. Jesus had put great strength in her legs.
The children ran fast. Abner stumbled once, but both of them
reached the rock spring at the same time.
"You are more fun than ever," said Abner.
"Yeah! Wow!" Delight said with a smile.
The End.
The day arrived when Nella's mother was going to take Delight
and her grandparents to Clintsville. They planned to hear the
evangelist and get him to lay hands on the crippled girl and pray
for her healing. Mrs. Pump called, saying she would pick the
Capleys up at 5 p.m.
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