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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Write an INSPIRATIONAL or DEVOTIONAL piece (04/26/07)
Thoughts streamed through Lucy’s mind like a fast-rushing stream…she couldn’t seem to catch a hold of a single one. However, all the thoughts pointed to one thing, or rather, one person. Her life sometimes felt like it was a whirlwind and she couldn’t seem to get her feet on solid ground. Lucy was sure of one thing; she knew what she needed to do now. The message at the evening chapel session was crystal clear in her mind, but provoked all those other rushing thoughts. Lucy had a clear picture of who she was and what she needed; she was a sinner and needed a Savior. As she prayed to God and began thinking about her life thus far, she realized that God had been working in her heart for her whole life, though it was a short one. He had been guiding her to this point and He would continue to guide her. Her thoughts drifted to her early childhood…
~~
It was such a clear memory, that day she wanted to touch the sun. Lucy was about three years old and she was standing in the middle of the gravel road that her and her family lived on. The sun was setting and she was basking in the sunlight. Lucy had the sudden urge to touch the sun as it rested on the top of the hill. She ran as fast as her little legs could carry her. Disappointment enclosed her as she realized that the sun was unreachable from where she stood.
~~
It was Sunday morning, Lucy and her sister, Laura, were dressed and ready to go to Sunday school at the church next door. Laura went into her mom’s bedroom and asked, “Mommy, are you going to go to church today?”

“Come back after Sunday school and let me know if there is potluck and then I will decide.”

“Okay, see you then,” Laura replied.

This was a regular occurrence for Lucy and Laura. Sunday school was a good time to get out of the house. Lucy sometimes didn’t want to go, but her mom made her. She liked learning the stories at Sunday school. There was one about a guy name Jonah and a big fish that swallowed him; that was Laura’s favorite. Lucy’s favorite was about a man named Daniel and how he was put into a lion’s den but he didn’t get hurt. Lucy and Laura thought the stories were a lot of fun, but Lucy felt like there was more to them, but she didn’t know what.
~~
Lucy sat on her bed with her flashlight, reading her book late into the night.

“Shut your flashlight off,” Laura told her sister in an irritated voice.

“In a minute,” Lucy replied calmly, clearly engrossed in her book.

Though she was only nine years old, Lucy was always reading books. Her favorites were mysteries and ghost stories. She had also read all of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and loved them. Lucy wasn’t too particular about what she read, she just knew when she was reading, she was transported into a different world. She was given a chance to live a different life, as long as the book lasted; then she could get another book and live a completely different life, if only for awhile.
~~
The opportunity to go to summer camp seemed impossible. When her mom first mentioned it, she knew they didn’t have the money. Oh, how she wanted to go! To be away from home for a whole week out of the summer; to participate in all the fun activities that were offered…it seemed like a dream that would never come true.
~~
Lucy came back to the present and realized that God was the one who made it all possible. She thought about how she could never touch the sun, but Jesus was the Son of God and a relationship with Him gave her the ability to have fellowship with God. All the stories from Sunday school made more sense now and her affection for reading had been provided by God as a way to escape the sometimes unbearable situations in her family. Here she was, sitting at camp, and she knew at that minute that God had made it possible for her to be there…so that she could come to know His Son in a personal way. God had been with her all the while, even when she didn’t acknowledge His presence.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Kristy Cox
05/03/07
Even though I consider most inspiration/devotional articles to be written in first-person, you really took a step and made it creative, so I applaud you for that. If you had more space, I think you could have expanded on either the memories or the setting, both of which would have contributed to your reader's better understanding of the article. Honestly, though, it IS inspiring and comforting. You showed that God brought Lucy to this place as his diviine intervention in her life. God still does that today. Thanks for sharing.
Beth LaBuff 
05/04/07
I can almost see this three-year-old chasing and wanting to touch the sun. ...Such a cute story.

I'm glad Lucy found there was Someone who really cared about her, and that even though she couldn't touch the sun, she could have a relationship with the Son. Thanks for this message.
Jan Ackerson
05/07/07
I love camp stories, and this one was very sweet, with an especially poignant glimpse into Lucy's home life.