The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: New Year (05/09/05)
It was only a few weeks into the beginning of a new year and already it had brought drastic changes into the Thompson family. A little over two months ago Ann and her husband, Will, had been sitting in almost the exact pews in the same church. Almost all of the same
people in the church today had been there that day also. But this day lost its resemblance to the fall day after
that. They had celebrated a wedding that beautiful fall day. Today they were saying good-bye to this same son
they had so recently seen married. Ann remembers looking at her beloved husband that morning as they were
getting dressed and noticing the age lines that are now present in his faces. Just a few weeks ago as the new year began those lines had not been there. Now in the church, Ann's hand finds the strong hand of her husband. Beside her she sees her daughter and two sons. Their heads are somewhat bowed and she sees the wetness of teardrops slide down their faces. They seem to turn simulantously to search her face. Ann tries to smile, but tears pool out of her eyes as she realizes this is one thing a mother cannot fix or make better for her children.
As she sits there, so many leftover memories of yesterday begin to filtrate her mind. The day Andrew had been born. He had been such a good baby, sleeping all the night through when he was only a few weeks old. His beautiful blonde curls as he grew into a toddler. Andrew possessed a personality that was like a magnet, drawing people of all ages to him, making their home a constant place of other kids as he grew up. Growing into such a handsome young man, the girlfriends, the proms, being voted "Best Personality" in his senior year. His first job, beginning college, making the dean's list. So many memories of yesterday. The last year had been filled with many; getting a permanent job, getting engaged, and just a few months ago marrying the young woman of his
dreams. The memory of his voice just a few days ago saying, "Momma, I love you and I'll see you later."
Yesterday memories that seemed so far away, yet remained so close to Ann's heart. As the service began, Ann
reached out farther than her husband and her children, she reached out to her heavenly Father. Could He help
her make sense of this? Her son, Andrew had died suddenly just a few days ago. There had been no warning, no time for goodbyes or I love yous. Just a phone call in one second of eternity that changes a family's life forever.
As Ann sat in that pew and began to draw on the strength from her heavenly Father, peace began to
surround her, inwardly and outwardly. The Spirit of God began to paint a picture of promised tomorrows for her. He showed her Andrew in a safe and loved beautiful place. He showed her other family members that were
welcoming him into the kingdom. He showed her the mansion, Andrew's home now, that He had so lovingly prepared for him. Ann could see Andrew now, smiling and laughing, hugging his heavenly Father. She could also
see another beautiful home, but it didn't seem to be quite finished. The Holy Spirit said, "Ann, this is to
be your heavenly home, but it is not finished. Andrew will be working on the home at times, putting the final
touches on it. He'll do a good job, because he loves you and knows so much about you and anything he doesn't
know, I'll tell him." Ann was so caught up in the vision God was giving her and realizing that it was in
fact the promises of tomorrow that God was showing her that she could hardly refrain from shouting with joy.
Yes, those leftover yesterday memories would always be there to bring her joy, but the promises of tomorrow brought even greater joy. This would be the first year that Ann had spent separated from Andrew in twenty-six years, but she knew now that she could make it. She had
the promises of tomorrow with not only him and other loved ones but with her heavenly Father who had made it possible for all of them to be together for eternity.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1267 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Karen Deikun
05/19/05
This had quite a nice message in it. The description comparing the happy marriage day and the sad funeral was well done. The formatting seemed a bit off and made the piece hard to read - but I'm glad I took the time. This was a good read.