University of Tears | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: University of Tears | Previous Challenge Entry
By edith edremoda
09/18/14
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Ever since I lost my job, I have found myself in a university of tears. Each day, I would walk out of my house with a smile and pretend that all was well in my world. However, today was not such a day. Today, I could not get myself to pretend that all was right. The weight of my financial lack made my faith wane and wax cold. The audible sound created by my rumbling stomach was a clear reminder that I could not afford to put food on the table for I and my children.

The reality of my situation made me so scared, that I refused to look at my eldest child. If I did, I was sure her nine year old heart would perceive and see my fear.The painful jaws of death clamped shut the life of my beloved husband a year ago and since then I have had to be a provider, mother, father and friend to my three children. I was their warrior. Yet, I did not feel like one.
I wanted to cry.
Are warriors supposed to cry?
If I cried in their presence, what will it do to them emotionally?
I felt like a lost, lonely and confused child. I was tired of been strong, tired of putting up a brave face.
Maybe I could be a child but just for a moment. Not in the presence of my children but in the presence of the one I heard about two days ago. The one who the lady that helped me with food had talked about - a man named Jesus. Silently, I talked to him as a child would to a father.

Slowly the clock ticked away, I raked through my brain for possible ways to find income and provide for my family. It was a Sunday and work was scarce on a Sunday. Noon was fast approaching, and there was nothing left in the house for my children to eat. Even the antics of my youngest could not captivate or lift up my spirit.
When it was time for lunch, what would I tell them?
If this Jesus I talked to earlier was real, was he going to help me?
I needed His help.
I need to feed my family.

The sound of the doorbell made me jump with a start. I opened the door and welcomed my neighbour in with a smile.

“We went out for Sunday lunch,” she said, “and while we were there, Jake asked us to pick up something for your kids.”

She stretched out her hands and gave me the feast of food, her six year old son Jake had requested she purchased for my children. I could not believe the miracle. I thanked her and chatted with her for a while.

After she left, I immediately set the table, and plated the food she had brought. For the first time today, I was able to look at my daughter and what I saw made me smile. I saw hope and love.
The food my neighbour brought would serve just one person but it became a feast for my family of four. One chicken breast was devoured with relish by all four of us and I can say I have never enjoyed a meal as I did this one.

I did not know where our dinner would come from, but I was going to enjoy every bite of our lunch and look up to Him for our next meal.
And like a child, I smiled and imagined what he will provide. I and my family may just get one big juicy stake for dinner.
I was certain of one thing now. Because I knew him, I would one day graduate from this university of tears.

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