Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Expect (07/11/13)
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TITLE: have faith in God. | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tracy Stevens
07/13/13 -
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Christina’s mom stood staring at her daughter, in shock. “She’s only six; she can’t possibly be ready…” she thought. But in fact, Christina had come to the realization that she was a sinner, and that the sins she committed were separating her from God. Christina knew she desperately needed a savior, at the tender age of six years old. Puzzled over whether her daughter really understood what she was saying, Stacey drove into town to the church. Christina spent some time explaining to the minister how she had come to make this decision, and he used a seemingly strange tactic. Brother Harry did everything he could to talk little Christina out of stepping into a lifelong commitment to Jesus. She persisted, he led her in praying the Lord would come into her life and lead her in this relationship, and a date was set for her baptism. Tearfully Stacey exclaimed, “Kiddo, you have just made the most important decision of your whole life!”
That evening, Stacey lay in her bed, pondering the day’s events. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit overwhelmed her with conviction. “How could I have been so surprised? Since before she was born, I have been praying for Christina’s salvation!” Stacey had specifically prayed over her daughter since she had known she was expecting, and her simple prayer was ingrained in her mind and heart. How had she forgotten it so quickly that morning upon hearing her daughter’s announcement? “Father, please lead Christina into a relationship with you early in life. Give her wisdom beyond her years, and a clear understanding of the gospel. Develop in her heart and mind the knowledge of a saving relationship with you through Jesus Christ” she had asked God daily… so why had God’s clear answer to this prayer been such a surprise to this young mother?
Stacey hadn’t been praying with the expectation that her heavenly Father would answer. She prayed daily for her daughter, but was lacking a passionate expectation of the Divine answer. “Expect great things from God…” Carey’s words rang in her ears as hot tears of repentance streamed down her cheeks onto her pillow. That day was the most incredible day in this young mother’s life, as her sweet daughter became her eternal sister in Christ. It ranked as the most humbling day in her life as well, as the Holy Spirit opened her eyes to the lack of expectation in her prayer life! Epiphany! “Believe that you have received them…” Jesus’ words, printed in crimson in her Bible, had leapt off the pages, and began transforming Stacey’s heart and her prayer life.
And when her younger two children began walking with Jesus, both also at age six, she wasn’t so surprised anymore. She had learned to pray, watching expectantly for the answer. Christina began walking with the Lord that day, but that wasn’t the only work the Holy Spirit did in their home that day; Stacey’s faith in the Lord had grown deeper and stronger! Paul teaches that God “is able to do for more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.” This family was made well aware of this truth on that marvelous day!
“Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted to him.
Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” (Matthew 11:22b-24).
footnotes:
http://www.wmcarey.edu/carey/expect/
Mark 11:24; All Scripture references will be from the New American Standard translation unless otherwise noted.
Ephesians 3:20
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It's important, especially today when it is so easy to click on something else, to grab the reader's attention immediately. If you had started with the second paragraph That would have been a great grabber.
I really liked the way you created suspense in this. You Also delivered a powerful message without coming off as too preachy. This also makes the reader stop and think about her expectations about God's answer to prayer, and that is always a good thing.
I do agree with Shann in that the hook you need to start the story, grab the reader right away, is after your opening references. Start with the mother's questioning and the reader will want to know what it is that's bothering her. You can still use the Carey quote, just not in that first sentence.
A thought-provoking article. Thanks and keep writing!
For extra practice pick out other words on your own from a dictionary. (Ex. page 27, first column, word 7.) The word may or may not be one that will work for you but it may give you something to think about and try.
Always save what you write about each word whether you think it is worthwhile or not.
Keep writing.
Another space between paragraphs would make it easier to read, but your point is well made.
Thanks for sharing.
God bless~