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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Diet - deadline is 8-9-12 9:59 am NY time. (08/02/12)
I was on my way to visit my friend, Pamela, whom I had not seen for over five years. Pamela met me at the airport. She had lost a lot of weight and looked healthy and happy. She drove me to her home in the village. It was a lovely little cottage in the middle of tall trees and beautiful flowers.

After freshening up, we carried our picnic lunch through the grounds to a natural pond at the far end. A small stream flowing over the rocks splashed into the pond creating a tiny waterfall. The stream continued out of the pond through the grassy meadow further on. Here amidst the wild flowers was a wooden table and bench. We set up our picnic lunch and sat down to reminisce and share about our lives these past five years.

I was eager to know about the secret of her happiness, and I asked her about it. Her reply was so inspiring that it left a lasting impression on me. This is her story:
“After my beloved husband succumbed to the devastating and painful cancer of the lungs, I became lonely, depressed and lethargic. I lost all interest in life and lived like a recluse. I tried to cheer up by eating out and indulging in rich foods and sweets. The only exercise I got was sitting at this very bench and gazing into nothingness for hours. I stopped going out even to church. I gained a lot of weight and my daughter was worried about me. Just to please her I went for a medical check up. The results were astonishing. My blood sugar and cholesterol levels were very high. I was diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus Type II. The doctor advised me to change my lifestyle – take medication, go on a rigid diet and follow a regular exercise program. As a nurse I knew the prognosis of Diabetes, the silent killer which could also cripple you for life. I decided to follow the doctor’s orders to the letter.

“I took my medications faithfully, stopped eating out and cooked healthy meals, and forced myself to walk for at least twenty minutes a day. It was not easy at all. I needed help. I went back to church. I understood that habits could be broken and lifestyles changed when God is in control. And as you see God worked a miracle in my life.”

“This is remarkable, Pam, I am so proud of you,” I said.

“But that is not all, my friend, I also learned an important biblical truth,” Pamela continued. “The three principles of a healthy life of a Diabetic are: Medication, Diet and Exercise. These apply to a sin sick man too.
He needs the medication of the Holy Ghost to cleanse his body of the evil effects of sin. He needs the discipline of dieting, which is in a way a kind of fasting, a kind of preparation for a special commission. Before entering the Promised Land, the Israelites were on a diet of manna and quail. God ordered a special diet for Ezekiel. Diets are mentioned in the scriptures. Exercise is needed to help the body to digest the medication and diet. A Christian has to exercise his faith.

“You see, nothing ever happens in a Christian’s life by chance. Everything is planned by God according to His will for his life. The whole purpose of a Christian’s life can be summed up in two words: Receive and Serve. God’s first command to man in the Garden of Eden was, “Receive and eat the fruit of all the trees, excepting the tree of knowledge.”
And then He said, “Go and multiply. Fill the earth with My family.”
Compare that with the last command of Jesus to His disciples, “You have received my teachings. Go out now and spread the gospel all over the world and make disciples.”
“Look at the sparkling waters of this little pond. Do you know why it is so clear and pure? Do you realize that every drop of water that enters over that waterfall flows out through those lilies? That is the secret - Receive and Give.”
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This article has been read 528 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
08/09/12
This was so beautiful, it touched my heart so deeply. Thank you for sharing and for writing it with such clarity. God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/11/12
This is a nice story of survival through faith. At times it might seem easier to give up but that's not God's plan at all.

There were some parts where it was hard to tell who was speaking. Instead of taglines like she said use this spot to give the reader a chance to see your characters in motion. For example "I'm sorry." Lisa wiped a stray tear with the back of her hand. This would show the reader who is speaking and that she was sad.

You handled the topic in a different way. You made some great points that made me stop and examine my heart. Good job.
Brenda Rice
08/13/12
This is nicely written and very intersting. You did a good job of setting the scene. I enjoyed reading this. Thanks.
Brenda Rice
08/13/12
This is nicely written and very intersting. You did a good job of setting the scene. I enjoyed reading this. Thanks.
Laura Manley
08/13/12
What a delightful story of biblical truths and hope. I also liked the title you gave your entry. It fits well. A good take on the topic at hand. Nicely written!