The Name

Natalie Clemming flipped to the next news channel in search of the day's weather forecast. She wanted to get a quick afternoon ride in on her little pony Cookies before her husband got off work. She stood in the kitchen of her quaint country home mixing up brownies for that evening's dessert. Her husband Nate loved having dessert after dinner. A special news report flashed across the screen.

"Jake Sherman was convicted late last week of the murders of three women in Marion County and sentenced to death row. On Monday, his jail cell was found empty with no leads as to how he escaped. Police are working tirelessly to track down this killer and return him to prison. City officials are recommending extra caution be taken in locking all doors to your home, and that women should not travel alone until Jake Sherman is apprehended. If you have any information as to his whereabouts, police are requesting that you call this number." The hotline number appeared on the TV as well the most recent picture of Jake Sherman. His unkempt, muddy colored hair was set over pale skin and deep-set, cold eyes. Natalie shivered involuntarily. The knowledge that he had escaped almost fifty miles away didn't assuage her fears in the least.

When she was old enough to understand how wicked humans could be, a fear began to grow in her. The murderer chased her through nightmares that ended just before he caught her as she woke in a cold sweat with her heart racing. Natalie shared her fears with her steadfast husband who reminded her that she had no reason to fear, for she was protected by the One who is stronger than any man. She had no doubts about that, but her fear still waited for her every night when they turned out the lights for bed.

"And now for your local forecast..." Natalie shook herself out of these dark thoughts and finished pouring the brownies into the pan as the meteorologist claimed clear skies for the evening moving into overcast that night. She put the brownies in the oven and set the timer on her watch for 20 min.

After pulling on her old riding jeans, Natalie grabbed her keys and cell phone then darted out the back door, locking it behind her. The Clemming's quaint farmhouse was set at the front of their three and a half acres of property, leaving room behind the house for her horse and gardens. Nate had a huge shed full of projects and tools just off the garage. It was his get-a-way from life just as much as her gardens and horse were hers. She smiled and whistled on the way to the little horse stalls Nate had built her. In the warm sunshine, things like nightmares and escaped convicts seemed far removed.

Cookies was waiting at the gate in hopes of the treats Natalie always had on her person. She wasn't disappointed as Natalie held out several sugar cubes to the little Appaloosa mare. She whickered her thanks and followed her owner to the tack shed. Natalie pulled the horse's gear out of the shed and had the mare ready to go after only a few minutes. She slid her foot in the stirrup and swung onto the saddle.

"Well little girl, where would you like to go today?" Natalie asked the cheerful creature. They rounded the house and were in the front yard when Natalie spotted their neighbor old Mr. Saul raking leaves in his front yard. She smiled and waved as they headed for the dirt road.

He waved his hand in greeting and called across the street in his deep, country voice. "Hey there! Goin' for a ride t'day? "

"Yes, sir. It's a nice fall day for it, don't you think?" Natalie liked the old man immensely, even though he was eccentric. He had been the most helpful neighbor since they moved in almost a year ago. He watched their house and took care of Cookies whenever Natalie and Nate left on vacation for a few days.

"Sure is. Just watch out for snakes and such on the trail." Mr. Saul was as found of the Clemmings as they were of him.

"I always do, even though Cookies doesn't spook very easily."

"When're ya goin' ta let me give ya one a my pistols ta carry with ya while yer out ridin'?" Mr. Saul carried a small hand gun with him whenever he was outside of his house.

Natalie smiled at his concern. "I just don't feel it's necessary around here, but I do appreciate the offer." Natalie's watch began to beep. "What in the world is that... Oh shoot, my brownies are still in the oven" She wheeled Cookies around and trotted back to the house. Old Mr. Saul smiled and carried the bag of leaves he had filled to the side of his house where he had a small fire going to clean up the debris.

Natalie looped Cookies's reigns around her porch railing, unlocked the front door and darted inside. She ran to the kitchen and quickly pulled her brownies out of the oven just in time. No burnt edges or anything. She flicked the oven off and turned to leave, but found her way blocked.

"I hope you don't mind," the unkempt man said, "but I let myself in. The front door was open."

Natalie's heart and breath caught in her chest then began again at a frantic rate. Her mind however was frozen.

"How rude of me, I haven't introduced myself." The man smiled clearly enjoying her reaction to him. "I'm Jake Sherman." He held out his hand and Natalie slowly backed away. His smile broadened. "I can see you do recognize me, though I'm sure my photographs don't do me justice. With that Natalie agreed. Seeing a picture of the killer on TV and meeting him proved that pictures cannot depict the full evil of a person. "Don't worry," he continued, "I can handle the introductions myself. You're Natalie Clemming, the cute little country girl who enjoys horseback riding. I saw you at the grocery store today and just had to meet you in person." His eyes roved hungrily over her body. "I'm so glad you gave me the opportunity. I wasn't sure if I would be able to follow you on the trails, and besides, inside is better don't you think? Not so dirty, and the air conditioning is nice."

Natalie's mind awakened from it's stupor in full force. "What am I going to do?! God help me!" She looked frantically around the kitchen and her eyes landed on the frying pan in the sink waiting to be washed. He was blocking her only exit, but maybe she could fight her way out.

Jake followed her line of sight. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Now that's not very nice." I just want to get to know you a little better." He smiled wickedly and walked towards her.

"Please help me!" She thought. She tried to scream. No sound came out.

"Be still and know that I am God." Natalie froze. She knew that gentle voice and obeyed. "Make my Name known."

"You cannot harm me." Natalie's voice shook when she spoke.

The killer laughed. "And why can't I?"

What time I am afraid I will put my trust in Thee. "He won't let you." She managed to keep the tremors from her voice this time.

"Your man won't be home for hours." He had heard that from the others as well.

That fact made Natalie cringe. "No, he won't. But we aren't alone. He is here."

She looked so sure of this that Jake quickly looked over his shoulder. No one was there. "No sweetheart, we are quite alone I assure you. But go on. Who is supposed to stop me?"

"The Name."

A sick smiled played on Jake's face and Natalie realized he must be thinking that she was crazy. "Ok. I'll play along. For a little while. What name?" He pulled a knife from his pants pocket.

"The Name. The only name that matters. The Name above every name." Natalie's voice grew in intensity as she spoke the truth she knew in every fiber of her being. "The Name that can shake the Earth. The Name that causes demons to flee from it. The Name that called the dead to life. The Name that could not be contained by death and Hell. The Name that rend Heaven and Earth to save me once and will not leave me to die now." Natalie had begun advancing on the murderer as she spoke and he had taken several steps back.

Jake was afraid. He had no idea why, but he was. This stupid girl wasn't even making any sense. "Enough playing. This ends now!" He grabbed her arm and drove the knife into her left thigh. Natalie screamed in agony and fell to the floor.

"Where is your Name now! Where!" Jake Sherman spat at her.

Natalie smiled in spite of the pain, shaking Jake to his very core. "Kill this body, but you cannot kill me. I cannot die."

"We'll see!" The evil man raised the knife to kill her, but the deafening sound of the gunshot froze him forever. He fell to the floor beside Natalie, to never hurt anyone again.

"Natalie! Natalie! Are ya all right?!" Dear old Mr. Saul ran to the girl and pulled her off the floor. She screamed as the pain of her stab wound shot through her body, but didn't fall supported by the surprisingly sturdy Mr. Saul. "God Almighty, yer bleedin'! Let's git ya outside an' call an ambulance."

"Thank you, Mr. Saul," Natalie choked around clenched teeth as they hobbled to the door.

"Not me lady, Thank God I was here when I was." Mr. Saul pulled Natalie's cell phone out of her saddle bag and dialed 911.

"Yes," Natalie breathed feeling the full presence of her Saving Name hit her afresh. "Thank you, God."

"I will never leave you. I will never forsake you." The gentle voice said.

Tears of thankfulness overcame Natalie at the absolute Truth of the promises of Yahweh God.

The Bible (NIV)
Psalm 56:3-4
"When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose Word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?"

Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."