"If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much (Matthew 5:46 NLT)."

Jesus' lesson from Matthew 5:46 is worth revisiting often. It is 100% easy to love on those that treat us with love. Those that aren't as kind to us.... is another story. In those situations, it is easy to not only not act as loving towards those folks, but even dislike them. With the way we sin and fall short as imperfect humans, I feel like it would be easy for God to dislike us. But not only does He love us anyway, He even offered us a way back to Him through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus.

Lord, as always thank You for humbling me with today's Scripture. Thank You for loving me despite my messiness. In Your honor, please help me to love on others more, especially those that challenge me. Please help me to be better about making more time for You in this new week as well. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

This story is based on the Reedsy.com prompt "Write a story where a local takes a newcomer under their wing (https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/)."

"Nice to meet you Dash, I'm Slayne. Glad to have you joining us at House of Torment."

"Thanks Slayne, I still can't believe I'm working here. This place is always on the national lists for top haunted houses, and I actually made the cut!"

"Yeah, the owner says you have potential. Stick with me and I'll show you the ropes friend. First things first, let's get checked in."

Dash followed Slayne into the haunt and proceeded up the stairs into the green room. There they met with Sonya, who would be his direct manager as an actor.

"Good to see you again Dash. I trust Slayne is taking care of you?"

"Yeah, thanks so much Sonya! I'm pretty nervous, so pairing us newbies with folks that know what they're doing makes me feel better!"

"Appreciate the vote of confidence Dash, but even us vets are always learning too. It's a changing industry, so even someone like me that has done this for 10 years isn't done developing skills yet."

"Slayne's right, there's always room to grow." Sonya nodded approvingly. "Do your best, take care of yourself, and be willing to learn, and you'll be a permanent part of this place!"

"Sounds great, I'll give it all I've got!" Dash replied enthusiastically. "OK, what do we do first Slayne?"

"We confirm our scene tonight with Sonya. So where are you putting us tonight?"

"The graveyard scene is a good one to start with." Sonya said kindly. "Lots of hiding places, alternate methods for scaring guests. I know you've handled that one a number of times Slayne. Why don't you two head down there and practice once you've finished with costumes and makeup? We still have an hour and a half before we open, so there's time."

"Will do Sonya, thanks!" Slayne said cheerfully, following up with a curtsy. "Let's go talk to the costume manager and get suited up Dash!"

The pair headed to a large closet where Costume Manager Changella awaited them. The young woman also echoed the same uplifting persona as Sonya and Slayne.

"Hi Slayne, always good to see you back. And you must be one of our new recruits.... it's Dash, right?"

"Yeah, that's me!" Dash gushed, turning slightly red. "Nice to meet you Changella!"

"The pleasure is all mine Dash. So where does Sonya have you gentlemen in the house tonight?"

"Graveyard." Slayne replied with a grin.

"Ooooh, nice! That's a great one to start with! Alright, I will get you two some raggedy outfits, and then you guys can head into the makeup line to become zombified. I'm excited for you Dash, the graveyard was one of my first scenes too, it's a really fun one!"

"Looking forward to it, just like I'm looking forward to working with you too Changella!"

Dash and Slayne brought their costumes back into the green room and changed into them. Then they headed for the makeup line to give their faces and arms the appearance of zombies.

"Being polite goes a long way in the haunt community, so keep that up." Slayne complimented. "Everyone here wants the new blood to succeed, as you guys will have to keep the tradition going once us older folks can't do it anymore."

"Hopefully that won't be for a while. This place wouldn't be the same without you legends in it!"

"Well, I never have been called a legend before, but I appreciate it. Thanks Dash."

*****

Once makeup was done, Dash and Slayne looked like true members of the undead. The duo then went to the graveyard scene to prepare for the thrill seekers that would soon fill the house. A maze of realistic tombstones filled the room, along with a couple of well made trees. A dim light that simulated moonlight would make it a challenge for customers to navigate, although the actors often adjusted to the mostly dark rooms quickly.

"So we still have a good 45 minutes until we open, so let's see what you brought with you for essentials tonight." Slayne said while gesturing at the plastic grocery bag that Dash was carrying.

"Oh yeah, sure!" Dash said excitedly as he pulled a small cola bottle out of his bag, along with four king size chocolate candy bars.

"Ummmm Dash, you do remember what is said in the handbook about being prepared, right?"

"I skimmed through it quickly to be honest, this is what gets me through my normal work days in the office. Why, are these things not good?"

"Definitely not ideal." Slayne said with a hint of annoyance that he struggled to hide. "Water should be your drink of choice. This place gets really hot, and you need to stay hydrated. You can fill the cola bottle with water from the break room later at least, but that bottle isn't very big. You should have brought a gallon sized container for water. Then there's the issue with protein."

"Candy bars have protein, don't they?"

"A small amount, but not enough for the work we'll be doing all season. You really should have brought some energy bars, or some kind of protein snack like peanuts or edamame. Tell me this, what have you eaten today?"

"A bunch of donuts, some french fries, a big bowl of mac and cheese, fried cheese sticks, and a bunch of cookies. Why, is that going to be a problem?"

"Ummmmmm yeah, that could be. But it's ok, you're learning. Maybe some of the other vets left some stuff in the breakroom. I'll check before we start. But first, let's practice some acting strategies. Pick a spot to hide, and I'll walk in pretending to be a guest. See if you can scare me newbie!"

Slayne left the scene while Dash hid behind the tree prop. Slayne walked back in and began passing the tree when Dash popped his head out from behind the tree.

"Boooooooo!"

"OK, good timing, but you must have missed that part in the training videos that we were emailed."

"We got training videos in our email? Crap, I'm really bad at checking my email.... sorry man!"

"It's ok." Slayne said, using his own acting skills to hide his frustration. "Boo is a no go for dialogue. Let me go back and you can try something else."

Slayne left the scene and walked back to the tree, when Dash popped out at him again.

"Get out!"

"Um yeah, we don't say that one either. Let's try this one more time. Make something up based on this scene."

Slayne let Dash reset, then approached him once more.

"Hey dude! Spooky night in the graveyard, eh?"

"Um yeah..... you should probably watch a training video. Pull up your email on your phone and watch the "acting tips for pop scares" one. I'll check the break room and see if I can find some water and protein. I'll be back in ten Dash."

*****

Slayne began navigating the dark hallways behind the scenes when he ran into a fellow zombie character.

"Hey Slayne! How's the new guy doing?"

"Not so good Raul. The kid has heart, but didn't prepare with the materials we were all given. His dialogue is weak, he didn't eat a good meal beforehand, and he didn't even bring water with him. The kid will pass out within two hours tops."

"That's a bummer. Another one for the Shredder Room eh? At least his blood can be used by the makeup crew, and whatever else is left of him can be salvaged for props."

"Yeah, but I kind of like the kid. I think I may try and mentor him some more to save him from being shredded. I mean, the poor guy is a dead man anyway, just like all of us are."

"Oh I know that all too well Slayne. I was working my first night getting scares, then everyone was suddenly gone. The break room was gone, the green room was gone, the emergency exits were gone. All I could do was starve to death, then get revived as a living corpse, my lot now permanently working as a scare actor to avoid the shredder myself."

"Yeah Raul, they take the loyalty clause to a new level here. But the boss wants only the best actors, and traps us here to keep his talent."

"He really covered his bases with this place Slayne, with those perfect doppelgangers of us he sent out to not let anyone know we're missing. I know my copy has come through the haunt with my wife frequently.... I scare them extra good out of spite every time I see them. The boss does have the perfect haunt setup here though. Escaping from this place is impossible. It's either act, or disappear for good."

"Yeah.... I thought I lived for the haunt life brother, never thought I would die for it. But now I'm going to check the break room and see if there's some water and protein I can grab for Dash. I would much rather he become one of us than become parts for props."

"You're a good guy Slayne. If I'm going to be stuck in a haunt season forever, at least I get to do so with you...."

Raul's opening night can be read here: https://theprose.com/post/441660/where-s-the-breakroom

The End?

"God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9 NLT)."

The world is troubled, and a few minutes on social media alone can bring out instant hopelessness. But God has given us the ability to make a difference by promoting peace through kind actions, which can be as simple as making a Facebook post that is empathetic and caring. Our efforts may appear small in a world filled with conflict, but every little bit helps. And the more people that contribute their pieces of peace, the nicer our world becomes.

Lord, thank You for empowering us to promote peaceful living, and thank You for reminding me of its importance today. Please help me to build someone up, and please let those efforts point back to You for the glory. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app....

9/12/2022

"What are you looking forward to this week?"

- My haunted house acting job beginning.

- Hopefully finishing up a book I've been working on.

- Time with my family.

- Writing.

9/13/2022

"What are you grateful for today?"

- Love and support from family and friends.

- Snacks from vending machines.

- God's presence in challenging times.

9/14/2022

"What made you smile or laugh this week?"

- Watching Felix The Cat, old Superbowl commercials, and the Crossroads White Claw parody commercial with my sons.

- Watching old and new "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" episodes with my daughter.

- Hanging with my dog.

9/15/2022

"How did someone help you this week?"

- Our curriculum director for her constant support.

- My employer for covering me in an emergency situation, and allowing me to rest the day after.

- God calling me to be challenged this week, and working on my growth through these trials.

9/16/2022

Affirmation: "God has great plans for my life."

"Is there anything you would like to thank God for this week?"

My work week is not over yet, and despite some challenges ahead in the next few days, I appreciate being called to work hard and be there for my students. I am also happy for another acting season to entertain guests over the next couple of weekend months. Thank You God for this work and purpose You have given me.

No longer part of this world, no longer even human, I lurk in this house of evil.

I've left my humanity behind, now I crave terror. I want to shock them, make them scream, send them running.

If I'm being honest, despite my wish to horrify them, I'm a little horrified myself. Can I do this? Can I really claim new victims?

Sure I can.... after all, a new haunt season is beginning. Bring on the opening night.... time to give these customers what they paid for and scare the hell out of them!

"For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry (Matthew 4:2 NLT)."

I recently heard a sermon at my church about the importance of fasting, and I was inspired to work it into my spiritual journey. Well so far I have not been able to skip a meal without snacking in its place. I have found that I am very good at justifying not fasting by making my upcoming seasonal (second) job an excuse to not skip meals in order to avoid getting too tired during this hectic time of year. Yet Jesus went forty days and nights fasting, while I can't skip one measly meal. I am humbled and reminded that I need His help to be able to get into this practice, and who better than someone who lived through the temptation Himself?

Thank You Lord for showing me how much I need You, including falling short at fasting. Like it was suggested to me at church, please help me to make a small commitment to begin, and please help me to grow closer to You as a result. Please soften my heart and never let me take for granted how good I have it, and please guide me to ways I can help those that fast without a choice in the matter. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

A Church I follow has an app (Crossroads Anywhere) where we journal together as a community, and one of the things we journal about are things we are thankful for. I wrote these for this week's prompts from the app....

9/05/2022

"What are you looking forward to this week?"

- My wife and daughter being back after helping our friend move this past weekend.

- Spending time with my folks.

- Trying out fasting per the message at my home church from this past Sunday.

- A shorter work week.

9/6/2022

"What are you grateful for today?"

I am thankful for a shorter work week, good bonding with my sons over the weekend with movies and a splash park visit, and to have my immediate family back under one roof later today.

9/7/2022

"What made you smile or laugh this week?"

- My wife and her friend's joy when they went to a Backstreet Boys concert.

- Reading fun seasonal books to my class.

- My dog, and dog nephews.

9/9/2022

Affirmation: "I am loved by God."

"Is there anything you would like to thank God for this week?"

Thank You God for helping me through another difficult work week (and the people You worked through to help me), for the prayer training at church yesterday, for my wife and our close family friend making great memories together (including a Backstreet Boys concert they enjoyed), and for a visit with my parents I get to look forward to later today.

"Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts (1 John 5:2 NLT)."

There is nothing wrong with enjoying some of the things of this world if our attitudes toward these things line up with gratitude to God. I consider many of my favorite things (gaming, anime, books, stories, hockey, music) to be gifts from God, and we can definitely see God's mark in some of the secular entertainment out there if we seek it. Today's verse reminds me that the things of the world are dangerous when they are appreciated more than God. I think God does want us to enjoy the wonders of this world as long as we acknowledge that it is all from Him, including the people He has sent to make the art and passions that we love.

Lord, thank You for the wonderful pleasures and gifts You have given us to enjoy in our lives. I apologize for the times that I have put these things over You, including missing out on time I could spend with You after getting distracted. Please help me to balance time for prayer, fellowship and studying with You along with enjoying the treats You bring us here, and please help me to always acknowledge You as the ultimate source of it all. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.