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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Willingness (02/21/05)
It was the pain.

The pain brought me to my knees and Your feet.

How can something so hurtful be turned into something so wonderful by You? How does a man pound a nail into a hand and You turn it into a gift? How do men slam thorns of hatred into a man’s head and You change them to a crown of purest gold? How does one scourge a man’s back with a cruel mix of leather, metal, blood and glass, and You turn them into a royal robe?

I wanted the gift.
I wanted the crown of purest gold.
I wanted the royal robe.

As I knelt there, lay there in the waste of my efforts, I could not even look up at You. My shame and guilt were too great. I hoped, but I could not believe.

And yet,

And yet,

You stooped down and put it on my head. The crown of gold shone with the shining light of purity. My shame melted away.

You lovingly leaned forward and placed the royal robe around my shoulders. It was as white as snow, edged with purple. My worth was complete as Your child.

You placed something in my lap. It was hard and worn, stained with sweat, tears and blood. It was Your gift of the cross.

On that day, I believed. The pain, the hurt, they went slowly. Healing came from nestling in Your arms until the storms passed. On that day, You took what had been hurtful for You, and turned it into something wonderful for me. And all because…oh Lord, how the tears fill my eyes…all because…

YOU WERE WILLING.
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This article has been read 1936 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Karen Deikun
02/28/05
Absolutely beautiful! God bless!
Lynne Gaunt
03/01/05
This is beautifully poetic. I loved the HOW? sentences at the beginning, they really burned the images into my mind.

Nice writing!
Mitzi Busby
03/02/05
Aren't we so thankful that He was willing. Beautifully done.
Debbie OConnor
03/07/05
Beautiful entry, Sally. Somehow reading all the GREAT work that didn't place gives me more peace about my own lack of success. I love this piece. You are a wonderful writer and a terrific cyber-friend. I'll bet if you try, this article will find a home elsewhere.
Corinne Smelker 
03/08/05
I just read this too, and have to agree with Deb - this might not have placed, but not because it is not up to snuff! The bar has risen so high in the past few months, that the space between winners and the others comes down to personal choice by the judges.

Yours truly was a lovely piece, and I agree, you should find a place to get it published.
Cheri Hardaway
03/08/05
Sally,

I have to agree wholeheartedly with Corinne and Debbie! A beautiful piece of work! Left me with that WOW feeling. We should all be incredibly humbled that He was willing - for our sakes! God bless, Cheri
Crista Darr
03/12/05
Oh Sally, what a perfect love story. Written only by one who has been to that special place with our Lord.
Laury Hubrich 
02/20/08
Oh wow, Sally, I can really see your heart for God in this piece! Wonderful!
Laury