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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Savory to the Taste (07/26/12)
Human life is a one shot event. Time never stops; we never get a second chance to relive what is missed. What’s more, we humans are impatient to move forward; we are always looking for something bigger and better. Often we don’t even know what that something is. It might even be something we already possess.

I remember my childhood and all of its fun and adventure. I played football and got dirty with frequent scrapes and bruises, coming home starved for dinner. What’s for dinner? That was my major concern. Mom was always there to feed me and care for my hurt. As long as I did my homework, life at home was carefree.

Yet even then I couldn’t wait to grow up, to be on my own, and make all of my own decisions. It was only after leaving the family nest that I realized what growing up really entailed.

Finishing college and becoming a working adult, I embarked on a career carousel that changed frequently and kept me busy for over forty years. With it came marriage, children, a mortgage, and a series of demanding jobs. I must confess that I often became so wrapped up in my work that I missed many important family events. These were lost forever.

I missed cheering my son’s first tackle in a football game. I didn’t see my daughter’s smiling but strained face as she tried to master ballet shoes in her first recital. I even disappointed the entire family when I cancelled a beautiful sun and surf filled seacoast vacation, a trip that was never rescheduled. And I justified it all because of my work.

Finally, I eagerly anticipated retirement. The “Golden Years” would surely offer a slower pace with less worry. Being in excellent health, I planned on a less stressful life of writing and performing routine chores on my small farm. I also saw in my future occasional visits to a place I dearly love, the Atlantic shore. Wow, how marvelous it would be.

But guess what happened? Well, I find time going faster. It’s as if a month is a week or a year is a month. And surprise, I also find concerns that I never anticipated. Family finances require more hands on attention due to inflation and a fragile economy. My semi-fixed income isn’t quite as healthy as I surmised.

So what should I do? What is the answer? Should I throw my worries to the wind? Will I ever fully enjoy the phase of life I occupy?

Well, the answer is readily available. It will clearly work for each of us, regardless of which phase in which we find ourselves. The answer lies in the wisdom of our God.

You see, God is always available to help us find the answer to our worries. If we just ask Him for help and trust His guidance, He will address the concerns of our daily lives. Oh, we will still have issues. But through Him we can focus on what is truly important while also solving our problems.

There’s a popular country music song entitled “You’re Gonna’ Miss This”. The singer is Trace Atkins, a big, burly mountain of a man who worked on oil rigs at sea before his wonderful voice was found by a talent scout. In this wonderful song he sings about his daughter growing up, wanting things right now, and then always looking for something bigger and better. He tells her to slow down and enjoy what she currently has because she will miss it when it’s gone.

That, in a nutshell, is the whole point here. Slow down and take time to enjoy each phase of life as it comes. Savor and experience life to its fullest. Grab hold of it; feel it, taste it, hear it, smell it, see it and love it. Enmesh yourself in all aspects of your life, especially your family, friends and foremost of all, the one who made it possible, Almighty God.

We must live today like it’s the last day of our lives. If we do, with God in our heart, the future will take care of itself. We will achieve the riches that really matter, be at peace with ourselves while getting ready to inhabit the Kingdom, and we will leave wonderful memories of ourselves for others.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 895 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
pam Leitermann
08/02/12
Good job I enjoyed reading this and being reminded of what is important in life!
Laura Manley
08/03/12
I liked your story insofar as how you view life and the stages of it; however, I must say that I did not get the connection with the topic for the week. That perhaps is my fault. Your story flows very smoothly and covers the different stages of lives very nicely.
C D Swanson 
08/05/12
An excellent message and a very ingenious use of the topic. I liked your approach to "savor life" as it were, and taste it fully. Nicely done, very captivating...and well written.

Thank you for this clever and different piece. Good job.

God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/08/12
I have to laugh at myself after reading this. I don't know why I'm still surprised when God puts the perfect message in front og me at the perfect time. I was upset with myself that I hadn't read level one stories yet. I usually do them right after I read my level. But this week God had other plans. I've spent the last few days in tears worrying about how we would afford my daughter's college tuition. Your story reminded me not to waste time making myself sick with worry.

The criterion I think might score the lowest with the judges rating would be topic. Though you do mention it somewhat, the heart of the article isn't about savory.

But with that said, it's far more important to follow God's leading then it is to score a perfect five with the judges. Your story will make my day easier as I try to work with her college to come up with the money needed. For that, I'm so grateful. This is a well-written piece. You grabbed my attention in the beginning and held it all the way to the end.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/09/12
Congratulations for ranking 8th in your level!