Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

Prompt: Write from the POV of a fairy tale character sharing their side of the story.

Lost That Lovin’ Feeling

People who have seen me say that wherever I walk dark clouds vanish. In their place I leave rainbows and flowers. My name is Melody.  I have one purpose. That one mission is to bring joy, peace, and love to the dark and dreary places I am assigned to visit. Usually my assignments are straightforward leaving me quite full of elation and satisfaction. But there was one town that over the years had erected thick emotional barriers. Others like minded in my attitude tried and tried to tumble down the walls of those callous feelings. Comments from those joy givers ranged from impenetrable, stubborn personalities to outright lifeless, zombie souls.

There would be one last attempt. I just happened to be the final candidate to make it happen, or the town “Opryville” would vanish into oblivion. It was nestled in the foothills of the verdant Tempo mountains touching the icy, undulating waters of Lake Rhythm.  The air was crisp and refreshing. There were no obvious signs that Opryville was in distress and overcome with morosity. As I approached the town limit, the serene atmosphere was interrupted by loud wailing and discordant noises. Entering into Opryville I heard children crying with anguished voices in the background. A great heaviness fell upon me.

I could see dark clouds hovering above the heads of the people strolling the streets. I attempted to initiate a conversation, but when a person opened their mouth a monotone of gibberish poured out. As I walked the glum streets, I noticed that there were no rainbows or flowers left in my wake. Was the gloominess of Opryville casting its dark spell upon me? Was my own euphoric life waning into nothingness? This misery clouded my personal gifts of healing and restoration like a death shroud.  

As I gazed into the ominous clouds above, a dove descended upon me. I was enriched with inspiration. I realized that the townsfolk had forsaken their first and only true love. Their lives became lost in the meanderings of life, seeking fool’s gold and transient happiness in things. Some became obsessed with power and control. Others let their life's complications spiral into depression and despair. Still more people coveted their neighbors’ possessions and status.  And a large part of the community fretted their lives in worry; just plain worry about an uncertain future. No matter the type, all had forgotten their origins from the Supreme Being whose Image is instilled upon each one of us.

I needed to appeal to as much of the community as I could in one fell swoop. I sought the highest vantage point in the center of town to amplify my message. Then I saw my pinnacle. It was the fountain in the town center. Locals called it the “Spring Waters of Bethesda” because long ago stories were shared about the curative powers of the waters that healed the sick and the infirm. Apparently, now the fountain was dry; no water had filled it for generations.  Now was the time to act. Overtly, I unfurled my wings and ascended to the top of the fountain. (Yeah, you may have guessed I am an angel of the Most High God). A crack in the dark clouds developed releasing a ray of light directly upon me. A steady flow of onlookers gathered around scratching their heads and wondering what was happening. It was my cue to release my voice upon the assembled masses. Then from the depth of my soul, a rush of words blurted from my mouth laced with harmony. The onlookers were mesmerized as I sang:

“You lost that lovin' feelin'

Whoa, that lovin' feelin'

You've lost that lovin' feelin'

Now it's gone, gone, gone…

Baby (baby), baby (baby)

I beg you please (please), please (please)

I need your love (I need your love), I need your love (I need your love)

So bring it on back (so bring it on back), bring it on back (so bring it on back)

Bring back that lovin' feelin'

Whoa, that lovin' feelin'

Bring back that lovin' feelin'

'Cause it's gone, gone, gone

And I can't go on

Woooo

Bring back that lovin' feelin'

Whoa, that lovin' feelin'

Bring back that lovin' feelin'

'Cause it's gone, gone”  ¹

Without any prompting the gathered crowd joined together repeating the chorus. The volume of the singing got louder as the verses were repeated again and again. People turned to each other smiling while singing at the top of their lungs. A little boy stopped his blubbering to engage his mother’s hand. Strangers held hands and some embraced one another at the waist. Collectively, the crowd swayed in a singular wave motion as they hummed the music to the lyrics. And to the crowds’ amazement, as well as my own, the water began to flow from the spigot heads into the fountain base. Its waters were frothy, icy, and sweet smelling. Cheers rang out as the singing continued.

The revelry was interrupted by what seemed like ominous thunder.  Unbeknown to the townsfolk, the Voice of God was speaking directly to me. He said, “Melody, I love the Righteous Brothers, but I was hoping for something a little more foundational, inspirational, and that reveals My abiding love. Give me a few verses of my unconditional grace, mercy and love dear angel girl.” I thought to myself how could I miss the mark?  I mustered up my faith launching into a reverent rendition of “Amazing Grace.”

Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.

‘Twas grace that aught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!

The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures. ²

Some of the crowd murmured. Discontent began to take hold of some of the onlookers. A few cried out “There is no God. He just showers us with pain, misery, and loss. Where is He when you need Him?” Some townsfolk began to walk away from the fountain. The few that remained were quiet and sullen. The fountain spigots trickled and eventually stopped their flow of water. The water in the fountain base quickly dried up.  More people left the fountain. The little boy who had been holding his mom’s hand began to sob. He looked at his mom with teary wide eyes asking “Mommy who is God?” His mom turned to him saying, “God created all of us because He loves us. He is the light that shines in the darkness.” The little boy in a distressed voice said, “The fountain is dry. There is no more singing. I want God to stay here with us. Dear God please don’t leave me and my mom.”

At that moment the thunder began again. “Melody,” said God, “the little boy and his mom have not lost their “lovin’ feelin’ for me. I will spare Opryville, for there is a glimmer of belief and hope. Hear what the child says,  “from the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise.” ³  

The fountain began to fill again with water. I was overcome by the Spirit as I lifted my voice in song again;

“My hope is built on nothing les than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;I dare not trust the sweetest name. But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.On Christ, the solid Rock I stand: All other ground is sinking sand, sinking sand.” ⁴

Over the years I remained the guardian angel at the side of the little boy growing up named Billy. He eventually became a minister who stayed in Opryville. His early childhood and young adult years became a conduit and example of God’s love for everyone in the town. On the anniversary of the day I first appeared at the fountain, Billy would lead hundreds of townsfolk in the singing of Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’ followed by Amazing Grace and My Hope is Built on Nothing Less.

“Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy he has given us a new birth and a living hope. This hope is living because Jesus Christ rose from the dead.  He has given us new birth so that we might share in what belongs to him. This is a gift that can never be destroyed. It can never spoil or even fade away. It is kept in heaven for you.  Through faith you are kept safe by God’s power. Your salvation is going to be completed. It is ready to be shown to you in the last days.” (1Peter 1:3-5, New International’s Readers Version)

1.   Excerpted from “Lost that Lovin’ Feeling,” Lyrics sung by the Righteous Brothers; Songwriters: Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann, Phil Spector.

2.   Lyrics from Amazing Grace, John Newton; excerpted from Hymnary.org

3.   Excerpted verse taken from Matthew 21:16(b), New International Version.

4.Lyrics from My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, Edward Mote, 1834

Author: Pete Gautchier

Acknowledgement: Reedsy.com