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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL (don't write about the song) (04/02/15)
I looked into the mirror and saw a face that wasn’t mine. It was a face etched by lines that were not all put there by laughter and spots not the result of artifice. Spidery naevus highlighted one cheek bone, brighter than the line of pale lips. Indecisive grey, neither short nor long, the framing hair pulled at the restraining combs that had to be adjusted several times a day.

Where did this woman come from?

She interrupted a line of women whose family roots were torn from the soils of Holland and France, Essex and Kent. They spoke with other tongues while tending their homes and nursing their babies. Some were driven from their lands by religious persecution; others left to follow a dream of a better life for their children. They followed their men as Sarah followed Abraham, and laughed as Sarah laughed when the promise of God seemed like a will-o’-the-wisp dancing ahead, always ahead, unobtainably always ahead.

But the promises of God are not unobtainable. God is not limited by age or possession; He does not regard our frailty but our faith.

The women who followed their husbands to a strange land dug their faith into the soil of their new homes; stitched their faith into the garments they made; kneaded their faith into the bread that fed their families. Their hands were seldom idle: even in prayer their fingers grasped at the promises of God.

There were many who did not receive the promises but looking down the years saw them afar off, embraced them and claimed them for their children. These women died in faith receiving a better promise: the promise of life in a better country, a heavenly country, where God is not ashamed to be called their God.

This is the face I saw in the mirror: a composite face of many faces. There was laughter in the face; there was sorrow, too. There was determination tempered by resignation. Underlying all of this there is the knowledge that God has provided something better for all of us, and I have the assurance that in His time, I with them will be made perfect.
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This article has been read 702 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Charla Diehl
04/10/15
Keeping our faith strong, by always trusting, believing and hoping in God's promises, our souls can flourish and rest in His goodness. Throughout this piece you are pointing your readers to that fact--good job.
Toni Babcock 
04/11/15
Very interesting piece. I stumbled a bit at the wording in the first paragraph, but the intrigue of learning about the woman in the mirror and her ancestry kept me hooked till the end. I love the analogy between your ancestors and Sara, Abraham's wife - following him to a new land, not knowing what was in store for her, but looking to a better land etc. Thanks for sharing.
Lois Lewis
04/13/15
"dug their faith into the soil of their new homes; stitched their faith into the garments they made; kneaded their faith into the bread that fed their families." I love this! Thanks for all your hard work. Best of luck in the Challenge.
C D Swanson 
04/14/15
You've done an excellent job of bringing the topic to life.

God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/17/15
This is beautiful. It reminds me of looking in the mirror after Mom died and seeing her eyes. It touched my heart. Congratulations on ranking 16 overall. Happy Dance!