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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: googled (04/10/14)
Dawn crept and darkness lifted, as early morning sun danced across the silver lake. Susan, up since four, worried about how to pay bills and keep their lovely beach home. She and Bob worked hard, but each month slipped deeper into debt. Where was God? What did He require? She felt discouraged and downhearted. They had reached retirement age, but retirement was not obtainable.

Bob had been disabled for years, well before he and Susan met. This was a second marriage for both. Six months after her troublesome first marriage ended, Susan met Bob, also six months divorced. They were in line at a restaurant, she, with a few of her friends, he, with a few of his, when the back to her pierced earring popped off. She searched the floor, but to no avail. Bob realized it had fallen near him and gingerly covered it with his foot. After minutes of Susan’s futile searching, Bob picked it up and asked, “Is this what you’re looking for?” They chatted, exchanged names, and went their separate ways. Later that same evening, they ran into each other again at a place where a band was playing “Are you Bob, the man who found my earring back?” she asked. “Yes, glad I could help”. A slow song started and he asked her to dance. The rhythm carried them away as they swayed to the gentle beat. She followed him easily, it felt good to be held.

They began seeing each other, though it wasn’t easy. Due to illness, Bob had been rendered legally blind and unable to drive. Sue lived across town and had to pick him up when they went out. They both had children, and not wanting to upset them, they dated quietly, hesitant to tell them. Soon they fell in love. Susan knew the Lord; Bob had not made that commitment. She shared her faith on their first date and many times after, but Bob was reluctant. Nevertheless, their love deepened and eventually they told their children. Bob’s daughter and Susan’s three sons grew to love their parent’s choice. After fifteen years of dating, Bob and Susan married. The children participated in the ceremony with Susan’s oldest son giving her away. It was a happy event, presided over by a justice of the peace, with many friends and relatives present. Bob and Susan were blissful. They bought a small house on the sandy shore of a big lake and loved it there.

Shortly thereafter, a chronic illness Susan had battled for years, grew worse. She became unable to work and they lost their only source of income. Susan’s faith dimmed. After all these years, happiness found, now seemed lost. They eked through their monthly expenses by selling collectibles and antiques, but it was difficult. During this time, they became aware of a small neighborhood church near their home which they had driven by for the past five years without notice. Suddenly it was calling Susan. She needed to put God back in her life and wanted Bob to join her. So on Christmas Eve that year, she convinced Bob to attend church service. That night, God, and the wonderful people in that church, welcomed Bob and Susan with open arms. The love they received, along with the scripture preached, spoke to Bob. They began attending regularly. A few months later the pastor and his wife paid them a visit, and amid a rush of tears, Bob accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Susan lifted her eyes to heaven and thanked God.

They became active church members. With Bob now aboard, Susan’s faith rekindled. Bob told his friends and large Twitter following about redemption through Jesus. Still having financial difficulties, they believed they could get ahead by using their spiritual gifts. Both loved to write, so they googled search words pertaining to Christian writing and also attended a freelance writing class. The teacher turned out to be a Christian who wrote for Christian publications. She was eager to share writing venues and explained SEO (search engine optimization) which helped them advance by using key words in their searches. As a result, they submitted their work to the publications they had googled and were soon published. It was a joy to make money from home through writing. Today, Bob and Susan no longer despair. God used their gifts and google to save them, after He saved them!
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This article has been read 578 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Lollie Hofer 
04/18/14
This is a great story idea and I like how they came to know Jesus as their Savior. The one thing I would suggest would be to be more visual with your words and show us what is happening instead of telling us. To be honest, that's easier said then done but here's an example of what I mean: "Susan, up since four, stopped pacing long enough to shake the pile of past due bills in her hand. Her eyes grew wide when she realized she had actually worn a path in the carpet." I didn't tell you she was worried, I showed you. Keep on writing. You've got what it takes.
C D Swanson 
04/19/14
I loved this powerful story. It held my interest from beginning to end.

I loved the message and excellent ending.

Great job.

God bless~
Amelia Brown 
04/22/14
This is such an heart-warming story. I enjoyed it as it held my attention from start to finish.

I would just suggest mixing up your sentence structure a little (Sentence variation)in order to help with the flow. You can check out Jan's Writing Basic on the forum for information about this.

Overall, a beautiful story on faith and the topic. Keep writing.