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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Writing (01/11/07)
Fig leaves

Dear Heavenly Father,

I have decided to write you a love letter. Where do I start? If I can’t grasp your greatness in my mind, how can I put it down in words? My salvation is a good place to start.
The Lamb of God who paid the price for my horrendous sins, shook my world. The King of worthlessness reigned over my soul. Nevertheless God entered and slayed the tyrant. Midnight was replaced by midday. A comforting fire was lit in the room of my heart. A world looks very different when the fog is blown away.
I could finally see through my windscreen. The road is now straight. My concrete destination is full of eternally sweet honey. The word ‘opposite’ is not sufficient enough to describe my past road.
My eyes have been washed by the tears of repentance. I can now see that my past horror movie comes from sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, distorted perceptions entered their minds. This insecurity led them to hide their shame. You saw through my fig leaves. Then you freely offered me the clothes of salvation and I grabbed them.
Beforehand, I wore the uncomfortable clothes of perfectionism, anorexia and loneliness. I bought them in the shop called ‘Self.’ It advertised a distorted belief. The ‘bad’ clothes called me, however, I knew better. The mirror in the changing room revealed a fat body in the desired fig leaves. Then the manager whispered, ‘restrict, limit, reduce! Then you will be desired!’
After a few visits, I was down to the one item. However, I realised the advertisement was an empty promise. My body did not fit into my itchy clothes. I was naked, weak, cold and tired. I knew that there was a world outside the shop window but I could not see the door.
One day a messenger entered the shop. The drug of jealousy shot through my veins. How beautiful she was! Then I realised that her beauty was shining from within. The manager tempted her to no avail. Her eyes did not fix on the clothes but on me! For the first time I saw love, compassion and peace. What shop did she come from? Her finger pointed towards the door. It took the form of a cross, which had been there all along. My eyes were now outward instead of inward looking. I knocked, entered and escaped with my beautiful friend. As I rushed through the door, the once desired fig leaves got caught on the nails. The Lord Jesus clothed me in spotless white garments instead. They fit so well!
As I travel down this narrow road, I continually sing and pray. Whenever I stop to rest in Him, my fruit grows sweeter by the day.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Joanney Uthe 
01/19/07
I love the fig leaves metaphor and expecially the lines: "Beforehand, I wore the uncomfortable clothes of perfectionism, anorexia and loneliness. I bought them in the shop called ‘Self.’ It advertised a distorted belief."
You start out as a letter, but seem to change audiences and never come back to the recipient. Great potential.
Myrna Noyes
01/20/07
Loved your title and the story that followed! My favorite part was where you described the change salvation brought: "Midnight was replaced by midday. A comforting fire was lit in the room of my heart. A world looks very different when the fog is blown away." Excellent description!

I, too, think you "lost" the letter to God somehow and changed your audience, but that did not stop me from being blessed by your touching piece! Thanks for sharing this! :)
Marilee Alvey
01/20/07
Yes, your focus on the open letter to God was lost, but I'm not about to throw the baby out with the bathwater, just like others here who loved your piece! It is just a small technical problem, easily remedied, but your story was very meaningful and will speak to others. In fact, I plan to send it to my relative who continues to bravely battle her struggles with anorexia. Thanks for saying what needs to be said....and heard! Well done!
Daniel Owino Ogweno
01/24/07
I was trully blessed by this, the technicalities pointed out by the other commentators, notwithstanding. For me the message is far much more important than the technicalities. I don't usually allow small errors steal my message. You placed in my heart. Thanks!