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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Gifts (of the Spirit or service) (11/22/07)
Disgusting dishes
November 28, 2007


It’s Monday morning and Carly is dragging herself around the house. “Oh, God, do I have to go to the Church and clean” was the beginning of her breath prayers for the day. “Isn’t there something else you’d rather me do? I’m sure I can find someone to pray for, or better yet, why didn’t you give me the gift of music or dance? Why can I not do something of more importance or value? I hate cleaning the church Lord; no body seems to give a darn about helping or care about the shape it’s in. I feel like nothing but a maid. Is this really what you want me to do? I know there’s more to life than cleaning!”

Ten a.m. rolled around faster than Carly’s head could spin. The kind promptings of the Holy Spirit urged her soul heavily, so how could she refuse this task? Carly did tell Kate she’d be there to help and the guilt of not showing up and making Kate do all the work by herself was too overwhelming to be ignored.

On the drive up to the church Carly was wondering, on those days she did skip out, why Kate never called to ask her if she was coming. Why does Kate go week after week, treating this grueling chore like it’s her job or something? Kate has a husband with tons of kids and a “to do” list way longer than mine yet she still makes time to clean the church, week after week.

Upon arrival, Carly noticed Kate’s car parked in the parking lot. She wondered how long she’d been there.

Carly snuck in without notice and began picking up the church bulletin’s which were lying all over the floor as if they were just loitered. “What is the point to these anyway? No one bothers to read them. It seems like a waste of money on ink that we could be spending to feed the hungry, Lord?” While doing dishes, Carly spouts off another breath prayer “Lord, don’t these people see the sign – SEE A NEED, MEET A NEED? How could you not, it’s plastered above the sink in big, bold letters?! Lord, look at this, this is disgusting.” Carly noticed the mold growing in the bottom of a coffee cup she found earlier, sitting on a book shelf in the library. “Don’t people know not to eat and drink in the library, God?” The fridge was another thing to talk about. Some little sweetie left a little something sticky on the shelf which managed to drip down the side of the fridge, splattering all over the Creamo carton, and then journey down in to the fruit compartment. “Nice Lord, real nice!”

The kitchen’s done and as Carly was on her way to the bathroom, she decided to turn on some music. “It’s too quiet in here Lord.” Is what she muttered. Of course praise and worship is the only choice. That’ll do, Carly thought. Twenty minutes or so went by and Carly found she was relaxing a little. Her jaw was no longer tense and she caught herself singing some of the words… “I will bless the Lord forever, he is worthy of all praise…” Before you knew it, the bathrooms were done and the cleaning finished.

“Thanks so much for helping; it takes half the time with the two of us!” Kate shared with such a grateful tone in her voice.

On the way home and for the majority of the day, certain scriptures popped in to Carly’s head. …love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul – Deut 10:12 (N.L.T.), and, In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well…Rom 12:6, and, Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically – Rom 12:11, as well as, You must have the same attitude that
Christ Jesus had - Philip 2: 3-5.

“I am so sorry Lord. Please forgive my selfish attitude. All I want to do is to please you in whatever task given. You are worthy of all I have to offer and more. Please cleanse my heart and forgive my wrong attitude in serving you. Thank you for Kate and her commitment in service to you. Please bless her today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen”
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This article has been read 981 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
11/30/07
Yep, if we're honest, we'd all admit to having those kind of disgruntled prayers every now and then.

Some tense-switching here, and a few punctuation errors to tidy up.

You ended it just right, with repentence and a renewed spirit.
dub W
12/01/07
Top to bottom this essay has a lot of potential. I am anxious to read your work after a little practice. Tense shift corrections and some dialog/character work and you are on the winner's list for sure, you have certainly captured the essential elements.
Joanne Sher 
12/03/07
I was right there with your MC. Great voice.
Terry R A Eissfeldt 
12/10/07
I for one thank you! From the bottom of my heart! You bless me.