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: Bitter and Sweet (05/28/09)
Bitter and Sweet

Your childhood best friend, that loyal companion who never seems to leave your side for more than a few seconds, unless of course, it’s meal time; the one whose eyes playfully will and beckon you out of bed in the morning; the one whose coat always glistens; the one who never crosses you and never disappoints.

If you were fortunate enough to grow up through your tiring adolescent and teenage years with a dog, you’ll look back wistfully on those days when nothing seemed to go quite right, when your dog was the only companion that seemed to not only care but truly understand just how tough life actually was. Remembering how wet I often left my dog’s silky, soft coat from my frequent tsunami of tears brings tears to my eyes, again, today. How sweet it truly feels to reflect on my changing years and remember warmly how good my four pawed best friend had been to me; and how thankful I am now that I have grown and am able to realize that while I felt alone, awkward, sad and had a deep longing, God was always right next to me. Lying on his side, soaking in my shed tears; God sent my dog to me, just as he prepares and plans every aspect of our lives.

God’s love for you and me is so deep and sweet that he will never, although we may feel otherwise, he will never leave us. God sent my childhood best friend to me as a physical reminder in my darkest of days, how much he loves and cherishes me. It’s the small things in our every day life that allow our days to run more smoothly and we often are unable to even consciously take note of the goodness that God sends down to us daily.

And now, it is my turn to take care of my sweet best friend who took care of me so faithfully in all my difficult days. It is my turn to remember that whether you are big or small, two footed or four pawed, our days were numbered, just as the hairs on our head, before we ever came to this place to live. It is my turn to lean not on my dog, but stretch myself just a bit more and lean solely on the Lord, knowing that he is a good God and he has never given me more than I can handle at one time. His way is the best way and he allowed me and my best friend a good long time together. And with every difficult step, every weakening muscle, every time his coat looses a little more gleam, I know it is time to let my best friend know that he has never once disappointed me and he is not disappointing me now. Thank you Lord for this physical reminder of your love, help me to grow more and lean on you now. Goodbye sweet Cody, a bitter and sweet end.
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 566 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jeanne E Webster
06/08/09
How hard it is to lose a lovable pet! They certainly are best friends sent from God. Your steadfast love for Cody is most evident in your article.

Triple check your punctuation marks, sentence structure, and a misspell("looses a little more gleam").

Keep writing; you have such a tender heart and talent for it.
Sara Harricharan
06/08/09
Lovely. I can easily substitute, "Cat" for "Dog" and relate to those moments growing up. Nice job.
diana kay
06/10/09
yes a doggy moment well done very transferable and a common thread which will resound with pet lovers everywhere