The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Phew! (02/11/10)
The Wedding Weight

The new spring air was invigorating, but even that couldn’t lift Sandra’s spirits. “What’s wrong?” asked her walking partner, Patsy. “You’re usually so chatty on our walks. You comment on the beautiful homes and the lush landscaping. And, you enjoy the fresh spring weather after those long dog days of winter.”

“I weighed myself this morning, and I gained two pounds. Megan’s wedding is just around the corner, and I’ll look like turquoise hippo in my dress,” replied Sandra.

“Oh, you’ll look beautiful. You’re not “model” thin, but you’re in the right weight range. Carl and Megan will be so proud of you.”

“I just want to lose fifteen pounds so my dress won’t be so snug. I bought it a size smaller so I would lose weight.”

“We’ve been walking two miles every day for two weeks. I’m sure you’ve lost some.”

“Yes, I have lost five pounds. I just want to lose ten more, but I won’t make my goal for my daughter’s wedding. Oh, well. Maybe I’m just too vain.” She paused. “Phew! We’re almost home. Now I can eat – my soggy oatmeal. Blah!”

The women reached their destinations, agreed to meet tomorrow morning, and said their good byes.

As the day went by, Sandra kept to her diet successfully. She ate a Lean Cuisine for lunch and snacked on carrots and celery sticks until dinnertime. Hopefully, she would lose those nasty two pounds she gained. Maybe, it was just water weight. She hopped on and off the scale all day - as if that would help. Carl, her husband came home from work, and they ate a light dinner, soup, salad, and rolls. Sandra felt satisfied.

That night the moon was full, and so was Sandra, at least she thought. She drifted to sleep and dreamed about brownies, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, and her favorite, chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. Suddenly, she awoke with a jolt. Her stomach was churning and growling like a symphony. Although she tried, she couldn’t quench the emptiness of her stomach. So, as not to awaken Carl, she got up slowly and tiptoed to the kitchen.

Sandra opened the fridge door quietly. When she peeked in, she saw her “beloved” carrot and celery sticks. “Phew,” she exclaimed and opened the freezer door for some chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. Her mouth watered like a hungry dog. Resolve flew out the door, and she dished up a bowl of her delight. “I’ll lose those two pounds tomorrow,” she determined.

Just as Sandra tipped her first spoonful of ice cream to her mouth, Carl came in. “What are you doing?! I thought you were dieting to fit into your dress!” he shouted.

“I am. I just wanted a little midnight snack,” she said timidly.

His dark eyebrows furrowed. “Looks like a big midnight snack to me. Why don’t you put that down?” he said in a fatherly tone.

“Because I’m sick of carrot sticks, celery sticks, and cottage cheese. I’m starving all the time. I want something sweet and fattening tonight,” Sandra said as she burst into tears.

Carl cradled her in his big, wide arms. “Honey. You’re beautiful, and I love you with all my heart – just the way you are.”

“I’ve been on a weight roller coaster all of my life, and I’m tired of it.”

“Remember Psalm 139, how we studied it and how you liked it? You must remember the Lord created you in his own image and very special – unique. Stop trying to be a Sandra Bullock. Just be my Sandra.”

“Psalm 139 has really been an inspiration in my life. I should listen to it instead of watching all those movie stars,” she said wistfully.

“Yes,” Carl empathized. “Here, not only is the ice cream fattening, it’s not healthy. Let me make you some diet hot chocolate and a graham cracker. That will cure that gnawing hunger.”

“Sounds like a winner,” Sandra replied. After she ate her snack, they went back to bed.

Two weeks later Carl and Sandra entered the waiting room at Baptist Memorial Church. Their eyes brightened when they spotted their daughter arrayed in her bridal gown. Megan was gorgeous, a dazzling pristine white virgin. Although Sandra’s own dress fit her slightly tight, all her worries about her weight vanished at the vision. Carl and Sandra hugged in pride on their daughter’s wonderful wedding day.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 829 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Judy Wood
02/18/10
A lot of us worry about weight.Our families love us for what's on the inside.What a sweet story.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
02/19/10
You did a good job reminding me to focus on the important part of any wedding- the actual marriage. Keep writing.
harvestgal Ndaguba
02/21/10
Wow, what a sweet and funny story. I been there and done that. It was for my own wedding though. And a week before the wedding, I had to have my dressed altered a little cause I did lose what I had hoped to loose. But now when I see my wedding pictures, I was so thin anyway, I don't know what weight I was trying to lose.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
02/22/10
The following was accidentally left on another entry, but I knew it was meant for you. I wanted to make sure you received it. I really enjoyed your story as well. It was well written and made me think about how I worry about unimportant things way too much.


Mildred Sheldon 02/19/10
What a precious story. I loved the mother's anxiety about her appearance. I'm thankful God loves us for who we are and not what we look like. We are silly creatures and I am sure God has to chuckle at our silliness. Keep writing.