Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS (don't write about the song) (05/14/15)
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TITLE: Standing Tall | Previous Challenge Entry
By Melinda Melton
05/21/15 -
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“Tell me about it sweetie.”
Wrinkling his nose and pursing his lips he says, “Well, there’s a long line of people marching two by two, like Noah’s Ark except it’s people. One is an adult and one is a kid like me. The adults clothes were dirty and torn and the kids were dressed like soldiers. They carried swords and everything!”
Rubbing her fingers through his dark curly hair she asks, “Where were they marching?”
“Well, I’m not sure. It was dusty so I couldn’t see very well but it was lighter where they were going. The adults were hunched over and the kids were helping them walk. I was flying really fast over the lines too. Like Super Man!”
“Super Man huh? That’s my hero,” she says smiling.
“Yeah it’s cool! I flew fast to the front of the line where it was really light. The people at the front of the line went through this great big castle door and when they go through there’s a huge flash of light and the dirty clothes turn white and the kids turn around and march back to the end of the line and start over again.”
“Wow that is an awesome dream honey. It sounds like the kids were soldiers of Christ.”
“I think so too, just like we learned in Sunday School,” Daniel says excitedly.
“Let’s get you up and ready for the church festival. Remember it’s costume day so you can wear your favorite one. Let me guess...Super Man?”
“Hmm, no I want to wear my soldier costume! Can I, can I?”
“Of course you can. Want to say a prayer while you dress honey?”
“ Yes ma’am,” Daniel says and scrambles out of bed.
Running over to his costume trunk he throws open the lid and rummages through his costumes. He pushed Batman and Superman to the side. The turtle masks fly over his head and bounce to the floor. Finally, he finds what he is looking for and set it in a neat pile in front of his mother’s feet.
“Stand up straight Soldier!” his mother said.
“Yes ma’am!” Daniel says and salutes.
She picks up the belt and puts it around Daniel’s waist saying, “Heavenly father we ask you today for your truth as a belt tight around our loins.”
Daniel steps into his tennis shoes and stands tall once again. His mother kneels down and begins tying the laces, “We put on the zeal to announce your good news of peace as shoes for our feet.”
Picking up the helmet and little cape with a breastplate attached she says, “We put on your righteousness, Oh Christ, as our breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet for our head.” She says as she gently places the cape over his shoulders and the helmet on his head.
Daniel picks up the shield and sword and says with his mother, “Father, we take up faith as a shield which is able to put out all the fiery darts of the enemy, and the sword of the spirit, which is your word, O Lord. Amen.”
“Very good Daniel, you remembered our prayer. Let’s go brush your teeth and go.”
“I’ve been practicing,” he says proudly and runs to the bathroom.
When they arrived at the church, there was a long line of people waiting to go through the breakfast buffet the ladies of the church were serving. There were a couple of old beggars sitting next to a light pole on the sidewalk.
Daniel watched at people stepped around the old men. He wrinkled his nose a bit and whispered to his mommy, “They don’t smell very good. Why are they sitting there, why don’t they get in line?” But his mommy just shushed him and moved him along.
Finally getting to the food, Daniel gets his plate of hot scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and juice. He grabbed a couple of forks and napkins and walks back outside but instead of following his mother to the picnic table, he walks directly to the old men. People in line watching closely.
Standing tall in his soldier costume he bends down and hands his plate and juice to the men.
“I could only carry one but I’ll be back with another one.” Daniel says and runs to the end of the line and stands tall. He turns to his mom and gives her a salute.
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Writing in the present tense is difficult. I noticed in the end, you slipped into the past for a bit.
You did a great job of painting a picture for me. Although I suspect this may not have been intended as a children's story, it definitely would make a great one. It would keep both child and adult entertained, and the message is perfect for all ages.