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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Smell (the sense of smell) (07/29/10)
I had just made up my mind, I was going to fast and seek the Lord. I really needed to hear from God. So I woke up that morning and started reading my Bible in bed. “God, I dedicate this day to you,” I prayed. Then I started to smell fresh coffee, which got stronger and stronger by the minute. “No coffee for me today,” I said out loud. “I'll just have water.” Then the smell of pancakes and bacon began to fill the room. My stomach growled.

Who in the world is up cooking breakfast, I wondered. My husband rarely cooked. And Nicki and Nancy seldom cooked, though they were beginning to do it more often. They were twins. They'd just entered into 8th grade.

“Hmmm?” Could be them, they were learning a lot about cooking in their Home Economics class.

Anyway, I ignored the smell and continued to read. This was my day off and I was going to seek the Lord and hear the answers I needed to hear.

I could even smell the maple syrup. Oh gosh, why my favorite breakfast? Why today? Then I smelt Hot Cocoa. What were they doing? They didn't have school. It was Saturday. Why were they doing all this cooking? Coffee? The girls didn't even drink coffee and neither did my husband. I was the one who wanted it every morning. Who was making coffee and why? I resisted the urge to march down the hallway, into the kitchen and see what was going on. No, let me have my prayer and hear from God first, I thought to myself. Mike can handle whatever is going on.

I looked at my Bible and tried to read. After 15 minutes of my eyes following the words on the page, I caught myself daydreaming about eating breakfast with the girls. The smell was becoming irresistible. I didn't remember one thing I read from the Bible. This must be the enemy, I thought. I went to my dresser and pulled out the Masking tape. I placed two pieces of tape over my nose, still, breathing through my mouth, I could almost taste the food in the air.

“Dang blasted smell,” I muttered. “Anyway, Lord, I will hear from you today,” I whispered. I knelt beside my bed and began to pray and tell the Lord how wonderful He was and all the things I was thankful for.

“My Husband, our two beautiful girls, our son Tommy, who was in the army and God's awesome protection over Him. My house. My kitchen. That big bowl of fruit on the table. Golden Apples, fresh plump purple grapes, bananas and pears. Yum, I could practically smell the bananas. I think I'll get one now, I thought to myself jumping up from prayer with the tape still over my nose. “Wups, Oh Lord, How quickly, I've forgotten. What is wrong with me.”

Then I plopped back down on the bed. “Father, please, speak to me,” I prayed. “I need to know if I should leave my job or not.” Suddenly their was a timid knock at the door. It couldn't be Mike, cause he wouldn't knock, I thought. It must be the girls. “Come in,” I called. In walked Mike and the girls carrying three big trays full of food: Coffee, Hot Cocoa with cream, Pancakes, sausage, Bacon, eggs and Maple Syrup. It looked so good.

“Happy Birthday, Mom,” the girls blurted out. They were gleaming. “We cooked breakfast for you by ourselves,” said Nancy. “And Dad didn't help, he just watched,” said Nicki. But as they looked at me they began to laugh. “Hun, why do you have tape on your Nose,” asked Mike. “Did our cooking smell bad?” asked Nancy looking puzzled. “No, it's wonderful. It smelt too good so I had to cover my nose,” I replied. They laughed. What was I to do, tell them I was fasting? I didn't have the heart, nor the will power.

Together we all sat on the bed and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast. I even felt the presence of the Lord with us as we ate and enjoyed each others fellowship. And as we talked and discussed different issues, some how, I discovered the answers I was looking for. I knew the right decision to make. I felt the leading of the Lord.
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This article has been read 1112 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/05/10
This is such a good example of us trying to force something when God has a different plan entirely. It made me stop and wonder how many times I called out to Jesus for answers, but missed his message because I was tying to do it my way. Excellent story.
Edy T Johnson
08/05/10
...and a very insightful comment from Shann gives me a green light to add my "Dittos!" to what she wrote!
Kate Oliver Webb
08/09/10
Oh, so good - and very faith-confirming. Yes, God does override our way, and when He does, it's perfect. This was well-written with a sweet message. Thanks for sharing.
Carol Penhorwood 
08/09/10
Isn't that just like God?! I loved this entry and it certainly rings true to me.
Joan Campbell
08/09/10
This is a very sweet, special story. I loved how she sensed God's presence during their meal together - how wonderful He is!

My one bit of red ink is too start each new speaker's dialogue in a new paragraph.
Rikki Akeo
08/09/10
I laughed---out loud.
The tape over the nose and the timing for the kids to walk in and see...
The fasting and prayer timing with the breakfast they made...
It's me!
Great read!
Laury Hubrich 
08/09/10
You made me laugh:) Good story.
Lollie Hofer 
08/10/10
This is a delightful story. I laughed several times. Your mc's voice was funny and ever-so-pious. Well done in every facet of this story.