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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS (don't write about the song) (05/14/15)
Michael and I raced to grab the ringing phone in the small bedroom at Grandma’s house where we lived. I snatched it before his short arms could reach out and grab ahold of the receiver. “Hello,” I said while catching my breath.

“Hello, this is Mrs. Anderson Michael’s kindergarten teacher.” “I am concerned about Michael’s ability to follow directions and concentrate on tasks at hand.” “It is my observation that he is hyperactive and may need to be seen by a doctor.”

I followed through and began the journey of trying to get help for my son. I looked for help in books, tapes, and any other materials that I could get my hands on at the time. We began to attend church and he had also attended a Christian daycare from the age of four. The medication made him very emotional. “We need to find his therapeutic window, said the doctor.”

In elementary school, he would wander around the classroom and be a distraction to others. In Middle School, he made friends, but didn’t do well with anything else. Parent teacher conferences were like going six rounds in the boxing ring after being defeated in the first round.

High School was a struggle for both of us. I was exhausted by the time that I got to work after the difficult task of getting him up and on his way. If I trusted him to get on the bus by himself, he would cause the bus driver to be late waiting for him if he even made it outside to catch the bus.

After graduating from High School, he began to experiment with drugs and alcohol. He never wanted to help the family with chores or even just pick up after himself. He would sometimes bring friends into our home that were of questionable character.

As a mother, I tried not to nag or constantly tell him what to do sounding like a broken record. Try to get along with others, stay out of trouble, show respect and just be considerate. He was recently diagnosed with a bipolar disorder and has lost his way. I look into the faces of people at church but no one can feel my pain or make it go away.

As I walk down the dirt road in front of my home, I can feel the warmth of the sun on my face and it feels like a safe place. I breathe deep taking in the fresh air and try to memorize the beauty of what I see. I look up to the top of the trees that reach over the road, the sun shining in the top of the trees casting a shadow on the ground. The leaves dance in the breeze and the birds dart from one tree to another without a care in the world.

My mind and my heart find comfort in the word of God. I ask myself, when you have a child whose life has been a downward spiral, will God intervene if I pray hard enough or have enough faith? Where did all of this really begin and where will it end?

I realize that I may never know the answers to my questions, so where do I go from here? I remember that God says that he will give me the desires of my heart, that if I seek him with all of my heart, I will find him. I have enlisted in the army of God, I will not turn to the right or the left. Onward I go trusting him with all of my heart. I will not fear but continue in faith because he is with me, he promises to never leave me or forsake me and our lives are in his hands.
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This article has been read 359 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Amy Gaudette 
05/23/15
Really encouraging story not to give up nor give in to discouragement. Thanks for writing it and sharing it.
Phyllis Inniss 
05/24/15
Life is a struggle for you and your son in different ways. God has given you a calm way to deal with this problem. You can still look around and admire the beauty God has given you and us and in that you must have found your faith, knowing that the Scriptures have given the wonderful Word of God and on that you can rely and trust.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/26/15
I totally appreciate that you shared this with me. The love for your son is palpable. It definitely shines through.

When using quotation marks, you don't need a new set for each sentence, just one in the beginning of each paragraph where it's the same speaker and then the end only when the speaker finishes.

Your beginning was great and it pulled me in with an immediate conflict. I did think that the MC was a sister and was surprised to discover otherwise. You could fix it by saying My son Michael and I...

You really touched my heart with your story. Being a parent is never easy, but in cases like this it's even more difficult. I'm not sure how people survive without a strong relationship with Jesus. You did a great job of writing on the topic too and the ending was perfect.