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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Personal Peace (06/01/06)
The “To Do List”

The clock radio boomed it’s loud, “Beeep, beeeep, beeeep”. Lucy slapped the snooze button for the fourth time. Sunbeams peeked through broken slits in the Venetian blinds. Lucy squinted as her eyelids tried to block out the sun’s blinding affects.
“I need to replace those blinds one of these days.”
Lucy ran her fingers through her wild mass of blond hair. Her head began to throb as she remembered her To Do List. “I wish I could stay in bed,” she mourned to herself. “I am already tired because I have so many things to do. Where do I start…How did I get my life such a mess?”
She dodged the piles of clothes and shoes scattered around the bedroom as she traipsed to the bathroom. Just as she closed the bathroom door, the radio alarm went off again, “Beeeep, beeeep, beeeeep….”
Lucy muttered to herself as she swung open the door, “Okay, okay, okay. I am up. I am up.” She dashed to the night table and fidgeted with the radio buttons until the alarm was turned off.
Frustrated, Lucy sat on the edge of the bed and shook her head as she surveyed the chaotic mess of unfinished tasks. She closed her eyes and prayed, “Dear Lord, please forgive me. You have given me a new day and I am already complaining. I can’t keep living this way… I need You to help me simply my life.”
Lucy promised herself a quick quiet time with God to help get her day on the right track. She ran to the kitchen to put a cup of water and a tea bag in the microwave to brew while she dressed for work.
Lucy stopped long enough to turn on her favorite Christian CD. The music filled the house and Lucy started singing the uplifting words. Her foul mood disappeared as she focused on the words she sang.
Twenty seven minutes later, Lucy sat at her kitchen table sipping the orange spiced tea. She thumbed through her devotion book to find her place from her last quiet time with God.
Tears filled her eyes has she read the highlighted scripture, Psalms 46:10, NIV: “Be still and know that I am God…” The words pierced her heart as God spoke to her.
How many mornings had it been since her last meeting with the Lord? She didn’t remember. Lucy had let the world control her life in the last few months. Each morning started off with the same routine of wishing she could stay in bed. Her To Do List had stolen the time slot of her quiet time with the Heavenly Father. Lucy gave a soft chuckle as she realized that the To Do List was never completed. It only grew.
Lucy bowed her head and let the gentle stillness of the moment surround her. “Thank you, Lord for reminding me that in my chaotic world, I can find personal peace when I spend time with You. I must remember that You are always present for our daily appointments. It is me, who chooses not to be present. Dear Lord, I pray I will let the Holy Spirit will work on my time schedule to make our meetings a priority. Most importantly, I must remember that You have a To Do List for me; and You will supply me with all the strength, desire and time needed to accomplish my daily tasks. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
Lucy smiled to herself as she closed her devotional book and her bible. She was ready to face the day. Minutes later, Lucy switched on her car radio and searched to find her favorite Christian station. The sunbeams peeked through the trees as Lucy drove to work. She knew exactly what she needed to get done that day.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Sheila Arnott
06/10/06
I really like this one as I can identify with feeling so overwhelmed that you don't know where to begin. Isn't it great when you spend some time reading the Bible and it really speaks to you?

I'm not certain that it's clear what Lucy has decided to do for the day, though. Perhaps Lucy's prayer would have been a good place to end it.
Virginia Gorg
06/12/06
I really like this! Well written and flows well, with a nice wrap-up at the end. Watch the grammatial errors, such as "The clock radio boomed it’s loud" - should be 'its' and simply should be 'simplify.' Nicely done with a good message.
Valerie Routhieaux
06/13/06
Very nice. I can relate, though I don't hit the snooze button. I'm one of those people you love to hate, awake the moment the alarm goes off. Though I can relate with the rest of your article. My to do list is longer than the day, and the only way to peace and control is through Jesus Christ. Keep writing. You've done a good job.