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: Fame (05/10/12)
When I was a young I wanted to be famous, although all I ever achieved was infamy. I used to dream of being a singer, the only problem was, I couldn’t carry a tune. Then I thought I would like to be Doris Day. She was stunning, and she and James Garner seemed to be having so much fun in the movies.

I thought movie stars had it made. They were rich, famous and beautiful. They must have extraordinary lives, I thought. They had to be happy, by the way they were always smiling in those movies. I was more than willing to pay twenty five cents to plop myself down in the movie theatres to see that kind of happiness. Turns out, most of those famous people were not happy at all.

Funny how some of us bought into all that when we were kids. Remember all the Rock and Roll and Motown groups we thought were so cool? Not a lot of happiness there, either.

Oh, just to be famous, I thought. All that glory, people admiring you for your talent, whatever that might be. I was quite certain I didn’t have any. Once I was invited to be in a beauty contest in high school, until they asked what my talent was.

“I d-don’t exactly have a talent.” I stuttered. That was the end of that.

I never got to be famous, but there was a time when I was infamous, at least to all who knew me.

I sped through my school years and was told by a teacher I could be a writer, but I didn’t believe her. I made decent grades and was a good girl. I never dared to do anything wrong in high school. I did have a vivid imagination though and would often dream of running away.

Just after I graduated from high school I had my first real bout of manic depression, and the following fourteen years are something I still can’t wrap my mind around at times. When said I was infamous, this is the period of my life I was referring to. If anyone reading this knows anything about this particular mental illness, you know is isn’t pretty. Severe mood swing led to many pitfalls in my life.

My family didn’t call me infamous, just crazy. Something was wrong with Lynn, they said. Actually, they always thought I was a little off the beaten path, but I was a good girl, at least. Later they just shook their heads at me and wondered what in the world went wrong.

I married soon after graduation. I could say I married the wrong man, but a year later I gave birth to my wonderful son, and your children do make it hard to regret that part of your past. It was at this time my infamous period really took off and ended fourteen years later when a doctor diagnosed me as manic depressive, found the right medication, and my life ceased to be infamous.

The next twenty something years of my life were lived under somewhat ordinary circumstances, compared to the previous fourteen, anyway. The only problem was I didn’t know just what to do with all those resentments and the anger I had accumulated over a lifetime. I didn’t know Jesus very well then, but I would often pray for God to show me how to let it all go, and one day I got a most peculiar answer.

Wham! “You have a brain tumor. “

Whack! “You have stage four colon cancer.”

Zap! “You are going to die.”

With that, dear folks, came my fifteen minutes of fame, in the form of a miracle. On my knees, I asked Jesus to come into my life and save me, and that’s exactly what He did. Jesus heals, ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you, He heals. Three years later I’m alive and at this point, cancer free.

It hasn’t always been easy. Brain surgery, colon surgery, chemo, ablations, but I would go through it all again just to be where I am today. I am happier now than I have ever been. Jesus have given me an inner peace I never knew existed. If you’ve ever wondered if miracles of the Bible still happen these days, I’m here to tell you they do indeed.

Today I live to write about my Redeemer, and it’s not for my fame or glory, but for the Glory of God.
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 1183 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Susan Allen
05/17/12
Thank you for writing about manic-depression--I don't feel so alone--you described it well. Praise the Lord for anti-depressants and other medicines. You went through so much. Yes, Jesus does heal today. I am so happy that you are cancer free--praise Jesus. Thank God for guiding the doctor's hands and knowing what medicine to give you. You have a wonderful testimony. This glorifies God so much.
Vicki J. Cypcar
05/17/12
I can see how God is using you as an instrument of His peace.

-Vicki
Janice Quimby
05/18/12
What a beautiful testimony. It spoke to my heart. Your entry truly glorified God. Keep up the good writing.
C D Swanson 
05/18/12
AMEN! Praise God and all His glory!

Oh, what a beautiful testimony. This had me on so many levels...my emotions skyrocketed with this vicotorious story.

Bi-polar is such a difficult disorder. My best friend had it, and wasn't diagnosed for over 50 years. She too, was a new woman afterwards.

And, as for your cancer. The Lord is on His throne, today...same as yesterday, and YES miracles STILL happen. To God all the Glory and Honor, and Praise. Thank you Lord for your miracle!

Thanks for sharing and telling us your story. Keep writing in His name, giving Him the glory. I am sure He has plans for you...big ones.

God Bless you abundantly~
C D Swanson 
05/18/12
In my excitement rejoicing about God's victorious and life saving miracle...I forgot to say, "This was a well written and fascinating story."

Great job. THnaks.

God Bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/19/12
This is a beautiful piece. The ending line was perfect. That is what is most important in life.
Phyllis Inniss 
05/21/12
Thank God for his healing miracles that have brought you to the point where you can share with others what He has done for you. You have managed to put this over so well, so that the reader can see how God has worked in your life. Thanks for sharing this inspiring article.
Cynthia Dawson
05/22/12
Wonderful article that will touch the hearts and souls of many. Depression in all its forms is painful for the one who has it and the family trying to help. It's hard for people to understand what they can not see. Surely this work with spread the glory of God!
Genia Gilbert
05/22/12
I enjoyed this entry very much. Thank you for your honesty and willingness to share your life. Well expressed, well written, and inspiring. God bless!
Allison Egley 
05/23/12
This is great.

Just a couple of small typos here and there, is all.

I'd suggest expanding this. In fact, I have a feeling it could be the basis for a book, even. Great job!
Graham Insley
05/23/12
A powerful and well written testimony that reveals God at work in life today.

There were a couple of small word corrections needed; for example; 'Jesus has given...' not 'Jesus have given...' There were a couple of things like this that a closer proof read would pick up.

But they are petty really; and I only point them out because you should correct them before you share this to a much wider audience. And you should do that.

Thank you.