Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Family Home (05/29/08)
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TITLE: God Accepts Dandelions Too | Previous Challenge Entry
By Melissa Helland
06/04/08 -
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“Honey?” said Ted. She swiveled the chair away. Wanting to hermit away the humiliation and yet hoping for a hug tighter than a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. The leather grunted in protest as Ted leaned on the chair’s arms. “What’s wrong?” She stood up into his embrace.
“I just talked with the children’s director at church,” said Tracy.
“What happened?” The flat of Ted’s chin rested comfortably on her head. She listened to the twump of his heart as it fired the unskilled surgeon.
“I told her about the block throwing between Benjamin and Daniel. I explained that one of his teachers brushed me off,” Tracy said trying to breathe around the wound. “She attacked me. Told me what a terror Benjamin is.”
Ted rubbed Tracy’s back. She reared away saying, “I asked why she hadn’t told me this before and she managed to twist everything. Made herself look wise. She even blamed it on homeschooling. I’m starting to suspect this has happened before. You remember the Wallace’s? They had strong-willed kids. Rachel screamed her way through nursery. Why did they leave the church? And the McKennons. Why don’t they put John in certain classes?”
“Let’s not guess at people’s motives, honey,” said Ted with aggravating wisdom.
“Why can’t she see the wonderful little boy I see?” said Tracy. “I know he’s difficult but I’m trying to be the best mom I can. Why would God let someone like her lead the children’s ministry?”
“The director does a good job for 95% of the kids,” said Ted. Tracy’s eyes tensed.
“But isn’t it the 5% who test our patience that God’s really commending us for loving? Why is it you always hear about people getting hurt the worst at church?”
“Mom-meeee,” shouted Benjamin with all five years worth of lung development. His dark hair needed a weed whacker again. “I’m hungry.”
“Dinner will be ready soon.”
“I’m hungry now. Why can’t we eat now?”
Tracy bit the inside of her lip saying, “See the clock? When it says five three zero we eat.”
“Meanwhile, I’m gunna’ die of starvation,” he said folding his arms in disgust.
“Benjamin James Richards, you’ll die of something sooner if you push it,” said Tracy getting louder. Hurt pinched Benjamin’s eyes. Tracy covered her face and took a deep breath of prayer.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have yelled.”
“It’s okay,” he said leaning into her hug.
“I’m overwhelmed so I need your help. You have a choice. You can stop complaining and choose where to play until dinner or you can sit on the stairs.”
“I decide where I play.” He chose downstairs.
“I’m such a horrible mother. Why are you smiling you big jerk?” said Tracy.
“You’ll die of something sooner?” chuckled Ted.
“Stop laughing,” said Tracy a grin peeking out.
“Sometimes only a mom can see possibilities in the rough edges of a little boy.”
Several days later Tracy heard the garage door clear its throat. Ted was home. Benjamin banged in the backdoor.
“Here, Mommy,” he said holding out dandelions sticky with the milky smell of green.
“Thanks, sweetie.” She did a double-take. “Did you go outside like that?”
“Pharaoh doesn’t wear a t-shirt.”
“Apparently Pharaoh wears nothing but a dishtowel,” said Ted grinning. He handed her a dozen roses. Tracy drank in the gentle smell of delicate wet gardens.
He leaned against the counter saying, “I’ve been thinking about how we sometimes get hurt at church. I think you’re like these roses. When other’s sin crushes, you smell sweeter with forgiveness.”
“I’m working on forgiving the director. My knees are getting calluses on calluses, I’ve taken it to God so many times today,” said Tracy sliding the roses next to the small vase full of dandelions.
She caressed the soft yellow petals saying, “He wanted to do his whole math paper in hieroglyphs.”
“Did you let him?”
“Only his name.” She traced the hint of orange sunrise along the edges of the pink roses.
Ted pointed to the yellow bursts of sunshine saying, “Maybe I should get out the weed killer.”
Tracy sighed. “Sometimes I feel like my attempts to be good are like handing God weeds when it should be roses.”
“Do you like my roses better than Benjamin’s dandelions?”
“I love them both for different reasons.”
“God accepts dandelions too.”
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