Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Right and Left (07/31/14)
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TITLE: A Fork in the Road | Previous Challenge Entry
By Wanda Draus
08/07/14 -
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Ellie, also had another talent, a love passed down from her grandmother, a love of painting. After a crammed filled day at the firm, Ellie would spend most of her evenings in a small New York studio, painting. She would take pictures of exciting scenery or the ordinary day and bring them to life on her canvas. There was always a sense of peace when she painted, giving her life balance.
Torris Architect was being considered to design the tallest building in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It would stand 32 stories, ten stories taller than the approved Cooper Building that was never developed in 1990. What she didn’t know is Torris had her slotted to lead the three year project if they won the bid. An opportunity that would give her the challenge she had been dreaming of.
With all the anticipation at work, Ellie looked forward to a weekend with her friend by the ocean, capturing an array of pictures for her paintings. Before going back home her friend invited her to attend church. Little did Ellie know this particular service and the next days events would put her in a path that would bring her to the proverbial fork in the road.
The church itself was built in the late 1800’s and Ellie was so absorbed in the design of the building she almost skipped the service entirely. As she settled in the beautifully carved oak pew, Pastor Sumner preached a very enthusiastic sermon and ended with an announcement about an exciting new ministry in Venezuela. Healing through Painting.
The ministry was looking for one or two artists to make a one year commitment to go to Venezuela and bring this vision to life. Ellie, could feel her heart start to pound. The mission would take battered children, some with no parents and others having siblings taken into human trafficking and teach them God’s love and healing through painting.
All the way home, Ellie was torn. How could she take a year off from a promising career? But something deep inside her was pulling her to Venezuela and she knew she had to speak with her superior first thing in the morning.
The following morning there was a buzz all over Torres Architect. They had won the bid for the Colorado Springs project. She was so delighted and happy that she joined in the celebration with hugs and high fives. Then with a few raps on the desk from the CEO, the announcement came that Ellie would be the project leader for this extraordinary opportunity along with a feature story of Ellie in Architectural Digest. Ellie felt her stomach go into knots. She could not believe what she was hearing.
That evening at home she spoke with her mom, knowing what a difficult decision she had to make, her mom told her, “often, we wonder what our life would have been like if we chose one thing over another or if we turned right instead of left. The best I can tell you is to follow your heart, a heart that seeks Christ.” Ellie fervently prayed and by morning she knew her answer.
It’s been twenty years and Ellie was in Colorado Springs being honored that evening for a prestigious award. Dressed in her crème colored suit and elegant gold jewelry she walked into the Torris building, still the tallest building in Colorado Springs, and still impressed by the magnificence of its design.
Onya, a beautiful woman with a beautiful smile, walked up to the podium and began to tell her story of loss and betrayal and at one of her most fearful times, a young woman named Ellie came to her small village. Ellie not only changed her life and healed her soul through painting but as the curtain behind her opened, the stage was filled with the many lives she had changed throughout her 15 years with Healing through Painting Ministry.
Ellie sat tear-filled and remembered the voice of her mother telling her you may always wonder how your life would have turned out if you decided to turn right instead of left. But Ellie did not wonder, God had used her to do more than build a high rise, He used her to build a life.
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Many will reflect on the decisions they have made in life.
Great story.
Right on topic.
Well delivered.
I would have liked to have seen a good "Hook" You could have really captured the readers attention by using the conflict between her job and her passion for art. Ask yourself,"Does anyone care that a girl works for a good company and has had a good education and is a budding architect?" Why should I read on?
Hope this helps.
God bless.