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: JOIE DE VIVRE (delight in being alive) (08/18/16)
There is a saying, “JOIE DE VIVRE”, which simply means joy in living. Something we would hope would be easily executed by simply waking up each morning, however, sadly for many, this is a difficult task to master. Life can create so many painful distractions that the thought of going on one more moment is often times too much to bear.

In a world that is often deemed unfair and cruel, joy is often robbed from within us. We struggle with the reasons why and wonder how life can become so insignificant. We ponder the meaning of life and untimely death. We see the unborn robbed of opportunities to live, disease that takes the lives of our loved ones, people turning against one another, and murders so senseless we will never grasp why. In all this chaos joy and life oftentimes do not mix.

Where is the hope and joy that once embraced us so innocently? When battling trials of darkness, where do you begin to seek hope and start living again? What gives our lives purpose? I have but one word…... Jesus.

In 2012 my Father was stricken with a rare form of cancer. He was a healthy, hardworking, and good man. Suddenly one moment of extreme pain and a trip to the emergency room would forever change the world around us. Our first reaction was that of disbelieve but yet optimism, setting out a game plan, a survivable one. Eight hundred miles away from my sister and I lay my father fighting for his life with my mom by his side. Our children had busy school lives, we had busy work lives, and without warning, we had several trips to take to spend time with our father. My dad was my rock. One man who did not leave me, abuse me, hurt me, or turn from me. A man I could trust and who supported us even when we made mistakes. A man who had dreams that were not fulfilled, places he wanted to go, and things he wanted to do.

There was so much to say, so little time to comprehend all that was happening, and treatments that were unsuccessful. Time was short. Five trying months later we made my father comfortable in a hospice bed in the bedroom he shared with my mother for 44 years. His brother, my sister, mother, niece and I were facing these last moments in disbelieve, giving him medication that would allow him to rest and transition home. Five months after that dreadful diagnosis, on a cold New York March morning, my dear father took his last breath and made his journey home.

All the bitter and difficult moments of my life before this could not compare to this moment. The feeling of guilt over being the one who gave him that last dose of medication, the words I do not know if I spoke to him, and the thoughts of confusion over a 63-year-old healthy person now gone. Going thru the motions in a fog. Life must go on. How do you find joy in life like this?

Even now grief still comes in stages, but God’s promises stand firm. A simple word of encouragement found in the precious book of Psalm. “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” – Psalm 16:11 (NIV). Knowing that His presence in my life will allow me peace and healing, that my dad is in the presence of the Almighty, finding joy again through the Words and Promises of our Savior, that is all I need to keep going.

My faith has allowed me to battle thru this journey with determination. To treasure every moment, wanting no regrets, embrace opportunities to explore the world around me, appreciate the simple things, have joy in my marriage, restoration and healing, the gift to write again, valuable friendships, a renewed relationship with Christ, and a testimony to share in hopes of reaching a tender heart looking for a reason to live with gratification and purpose.

It takes time, and will be a challenge, but rest assured, He wants nothing more than for us to embrace our purpose and to delight in our futures, even if it was not as we envisioned. My dad, and Jesus, would want me to keep living.

May we always feel His love in every situation and embrace the reason to value our days.
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 545 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Pat Small
08/25/16
Sorry for your loss. You wrote an emotional piece. I noticed twice you wrote disbelieve when it should have been disbelief.
Jody Day
08/25/16
This would make a nice devotional. I would just suggest starting at the paragraph where you begin to tell about your father's journey. That is the real story here, and grabs the heart. The first three paragraphs are kind of a "given" on the subject. Great job, keep writing!
C D Swanson 
08/25/16
My sincere and complete heartfelt sympathy for your major loss.

Your pain was palpable while reading this touching and moving entry.

Thank you for sharing your heart with us about this painful journey in your life.

Your father sounded like a wonderful man, and you a loving daughter.

The only comfort I got when both my mom and dad died was knowing they were with God, and that I'd see them again, and at that time...we'll never have to say goodbye again.

Again, my condolences for your great loss.

God bless~
Larry Whittington
08/27/16
The opening of your story was a little rough but as you wrote your story from your heart, it flowed smoothly expressing the painful moments looking forward with joy.

Happiness is built on earthly pleasures while joy is the patient anticipation not dependent on any earthly situation.

Keep your heart in heaven and your eyes in his word.
Toni Babcock 
08/27/16
I enjoyed reading your story immensely, thanks for sharing. I too am 63. We never know when God chooses to call his own to their eternal home.
Sheila Bird
08/28/16
Your story beautifully illustrates the parallel between the “Joie de vivre” and the emptiness within when that joy of life slips through our fingers. It is a story that will resonate and touch hurting hearts. In it you expressed the many things you hope for when your grief is appeased and your joy restored through our precious Lord. Of those things, the one that struck me the most was the hope to write again. I too will pray that you will find the inspiration you need to press through the pain and pick up that pen and paper again. You have a gift. Move forward into His healing light and you will not only feel your heavenly Father’s love embracing you, you will find encouragement in the precious memories He will bring to remembrance of your earthly father.
I thought your article was well written. From a critique perspective there was a sentence in paragraph four that was confusing to me: “Eight hundred miles away from my sister and I lay my father fighting for his life with my mom by his side.” It reads as if something was accidently omitted in the editing but grammar check seems to think it is OK so I am not sure. Overall I think you did a great job.