Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “A Stitch in Time Saves Nine” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/03/08)
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TITLE: Vapor Trails | Previous Challenge Entry
By David F. Palmieri Sr.
01/05/08 -
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I awoke this morning and, after reading an e-mail I received from a dear friend, I realized I didn't feel at all like a Christian. The story was titled, "The Bell." Some of you may have seen it. It started with the phrase, "I know who I am," followed by twenty-six statements with supporting Bible verses, beginning with, "I am God's child." I had no problem with that because I know I am His child no matter how I feel at any given time. As I continued reading I felt less like a loving child and more like a casual acquaintance. I did not feel like, "Christ's friend, a saint, salt and light, God's temple or His workmanship," to name a few.
How had it gotten this bad? Why was God so far away from my heart and mind? Where had He gone? Having just survived the, "holidays" I was glad to return to normal. Not an advocate of change the secularization of Christmas took all of my energy to endure. Having missed one Sunday Service due to the flu and several prayer meetings for one reason or another did not help my spiritual situation.
I remember hearing an older saint make the following statement years ago. "You can bet on it, when a man starts missing church services, it's the end of his spiritual slip not the beginning." Why was this thought haunting me at this particular time? Was God speaking to my heart? I reluctantly answer, yes. I know why He is so distant from me and it's not because He moved. It's no ones fault but mine that our connection has faltered. I am the one who failed to nourish our relationship. Spending time in communion with God and neglecting to daily immerse myself in His Word has allowed the fabric of our relationship to wear thin.
Simply getting caught up in the day to day struggles of life can leave us feeling spent by evening. Often, instead of doing what we know is necessary in our spiritual life, we resign to reading the paper or watching TV. Without regular maintenance our car will eventually let us down at some point often resulting in more costly repairs. Relationships, as well, need daily attention to grow or even to sustain them. Like vapor trails, from passing jets, in the early morning sky, they tend to dissipate and eventually disappear.
Trust me, If I hadn't neglected God so much in recent weeks I wouldn't be facing the struggle I now have before me. I need to get back to bridging the gap I've allowed to open between us. I wouldn't mind, "feeling like a Christian," again, either.
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