Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Pros and Cons (08/14/14)
-
TITLE: Tuesday Afternoon | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dot Hannah
08/19/14 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
My husband and I were unpacking, with thoughtful care, as we scurried around our hotel room on that fateful, Tuesday afternoon. We were on a short, relaxing trip with no expectancy of how frantic the day was about to become. All troubles had drifted away from our busy minds as we prepared to become fancy free the next few days. It was early afternoon when the call came. The unexpected and uninvited struck hard and fast.
The concerned voice of my daughter’s husband bluntly explained that she had been critically injured in a car wreck. One moment Kelly was driving to pick up her children, the next being air lifted by helicopter to a trauma center. She had experienced her own personal earthquake, and life and death were quarreling over her. Immediately, a new mood took possession of me, and the overwhelming erupted in my spirit. This torturous nightmare was past unbelief. What if I never saw her again? I wept, I prayed. My heart was pounding and my chest tight with anxiety. I asked God to recollect my emotions in tranquility, and immediately, my strong faith in Him vaccinated me from the turmoil.
The sun had retracted, and the afternoon turned black as we drove home, the longest four hours of my life. Would I arrive in time? Would I lose this precious daughter who fills such a large piece of my life? Would my lovely grandchildren lose their mother? It was out of my hands. I had to pray passionately and trust the outcome to God. Then the words came into my mind, and I whispered them in the darkness, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
We arrived and rushed to our despondent son-in-law’s side in the intensive care waiting room. A traumatic brain injury, a broken back and ribs, a ruptured spleen and damage to both choroidal arteries were the most serious injuries. Her body was shattered like pottery. Would life ever be the same? Would she ever be normal again? The battle she faced would be the toughest she had ever fought, but I took great comfort in the fact that she was indeed a fighter.
A outpouring of love and kindness from friends, family, and fellow Christians supported us in the turbulent days ahead. Kelly suffered much pain, but the strong and enduring arms of Jesus delivered her through the worst of times. Our sufficiency is of the Lord in all circumstances of life. Because of her brain injury, she encountered a welter of despairing confusion which caused her to ramble and say irrational and bizarre things. It was with true eagerness that she awaited our visits as days and weeks passed. Taking it slowly, for she was in no condition to hurry, we encouragingly spoke to her about her children so she would look forward to getting well and going home.
One month and two days later, my vivacious daughter left the hospital. Kelly had been knocked down but not knocked out. The Lord healed her at the very threshold of death’s door, with the help of her efficient physicians. She suffers short term memory loss and headaches, but she copes and lives a fairly normal life. There is inexpressible happiness and gratitude in our hearts.
I realize this accident was God getting involved in her life in a dramatic way. A life jolting experience can awaken a decision to change the course of one’s destiny. One who returns from the dead has a story to tell. Many times it takes the experience of suffering to view the ordinary differently, and learn the art of enjoying every small detail.
After a trauma like this, the pros and cons of living life for God’s larger purposes must be carefully weighed. His calibrated and precise scales reveal that there are no cons. What appears to be disastrous can become the birth of commitment and a new, full, overcoming life. His guidance can give Kelly the ability to make prudent choices, and if she yields, He will polish and shine her like a precious gem. Hard times may come again and again, but God is faithful, and He is mighty to save.
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen. I will be exalted in the earth.” KJV (Psalm 46:10)
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.
There are so many people who come to the Lord after these life and death experiences, and their testimony is a strong witness to God and His mercy.
Excellent writing.
God bless~
W may not know if it was a test for the other person or a test for our own faith. But when we pass the test, we have both grown.
It pleases God to work in us in a variety of ways.
Good story. Well written.
"Many times it takes the experience of suffering to view the ordinary differently, and learn the art of enjoying every small detail" -- so true, and beautifully put.
The last paragraph felt almost like it was added to make this story on topic. I used to do similar things before I realized that writing on topic means the whole story should be about the pros and cons. If this were a fiction story, I'd encourage you to have to weigh the odds between life support or taking her off it. Of course, I'm so grateful that in real life you didn't have to weigh that decision.
I also understand that sometimes God calls us to write a story and we must be obedient to him. There are so many criteria that you did nail. The beginning had a great hook. You showed the conflict immediately and built suspense with each word. You have a clear message and it is as relatable in everyday life as it is in life and death situations. One criterion I rarely comment on is publishability. I think this piece is perfect for the testimony contest. If you haven't entered yet, I'd really urge you to do so. This story could be in a book and touching countless hearts in a year or so. I truly believe that is why God wanted you to write this story and I sincerely hope you'll pray about submitting it to the contest. It's superb.
God bless~
God bless~