Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Garden (09/07/06)
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TITLE: This is Your Harvest | Previous Challenge Entry
By Callie Martin
09/11/06 -
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Not that times haven’t been rough before, they’ve always been rough. Raising two boys alone hasn’t been easy and it seems like there’s always something to be stressed out about. She learned to do nails eighteen years ago just to put food on the table. Still doing nails, she is able to keep up with the bills, but never has anything left over. The heart attack has put additional pressure on her to keep working and pay the medical bills. But she’s alive, she has two great sons and God has always provided.
Just as she’s dozing off, the phone rings.
“Oh Lord, let this be some good news and not the hospital asking for money.”
“Mrs. Foster”?
“Yes.”
“Mrs. Foster, my name is Roger Carter and I’m calling from your bank. I would like to set up a meeting with you to discuss some investment opportunities you might be interested in.”
Laughing, Pam says, “You’re kidding, right? Have you seen my bank account?”
“Well, yes ma’am, I have. I’m looking at it right now and there’s quite a large sum of money sitting in a non-interest bearing account. I can help you set up some …”
“Whoa, hold the phone here. You must have the wrong number. I don’t have a large sum of anything, unless you want to add up my hospital bills – which I am afraid to do, by the way.”
“Mrs. Foster, a large deposit was made to your account two days ago. I thought you knew.”
Stunned, Pam tries to figure out which one of her sons would play a joke on her but both of them know that it’s not funny when it’s about money, and she has just had a heart attack, after all.
“Mrs. Foster, are you still there”?
“I’m here but you’ll have to give me a minute to catch my breath. How large is this sum and where did it come from? It must be a mistake”?
“Well, it’s not a mistake because we had to verify the funds. It’s a check from Brian Foster; I assume a relative, and it’s for $300,000.00.”
Pam doesn’t remember hanging up the phone or even saying goodbye. She presses “1” on the speed dial and her oldest son answers, “Brian Foster, Super Salesman, and Hero to All. Is that you, mom”?
“Brian, what’s going on? The bank just called. They said you put a lot of money into my account. Where did you get it and why would you give it to me”?
“I robbed a 7-11 and because I love you.”
“Seriously, Brian.”
“Mom, I just landed a huge deal – the biggest one this company has ever had. And I get commission and you are sharing in my commission. How cool is that”?
“Brian, you can’t give me your money. You have to keep it for your family.”
“Okay, aside from the fact that you ARE my family, did I tell you that this is an installment and there will be more? There will be more than enough for all of us.”
“I can’t take your money.”
“Mom, I am like a garden that you have been tending for twenty five years. You have watered me, fed me, and pulled my weeds when I needed it. You have sown into my garden with prayer, financial support, spiritual support, love, Godly council, and encouragement. Even when all you could see was weeds, big ugly weeds with those sticky things on them, you stayed on your knees tending my garden. Day after day, you were never too tired or too broke to sow one more seed into my garden. Now the harvest has come. This is your harvest, not mine.”
Tears streaming down her face, Pam can’t speak the words of joy and thankfulness that fill her heart. All she can do is cry and thank God that she has such a beautiful and giving son.
“But mom, there is one condition.”
“What is it Brian”?
“You must promise me that you will never stop tending my garden no matter how beautiful and lush I become.”
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