Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Church (12/06/07)
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TITLE: My church the Lighthouse | Previous Challenge Entry
By Debbie Sanders
12/11/07 -
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As I drove into what used to be a most inviting scene, my heart sank, for what used to be is no more. The building was in disrepair, almost beyond recognition. How could this be? For in my mind, I still had the most vivid living memories. Nevertheless, this is what I saw. The outside of the building was without windows, paint or almost anything that I remembered of that crisp, clean place of my youth. As I reached the front of the church, the shrubs had grown together, as if even to conceal the entrance of the building. They were no longer trimmed and neat as I had recalled. As the tears began to trickle, I thought, if the outside looks this bad, what could the inside hold? As I climbed over the brush of the shrubbery, and began to step in, I could hardly bear what I saw. There lay the ceiling on the floor. There were tree limbs growing through the broken window panes. There was dirt and trash everywhere. As I walked through what was left of this most precious place of my childhood, the tears were pouring, just then I caught a glimpse of something shiny lying on the filthy floor. What could it be? As I reached down, plainly I could see it was a tin foil crown from a Christmas Play long ago. At this point the memories and tears began to flow, as I walked, my heart was broken beyond repair. Just when I thought I could take no more, I walked a few more steps into the Sunday School room where I had learned to pray. But, alas everything was in shambles there too. As I looked in utter amazement, I saw the evidence of immorality that took place right there on the floor, next to an old Sunday School book. After the utter shock of seeing this evidence I walked a few more paces into another room, and there right on the wall in large letters were horrible obscenities written.
I could not believe my eyes. In my mind I could still hear those precious old hymns ringing out. Yes, It is true, once there was a light here that shined so brightly, but that wonderful light has certainly gone out. As I came back to reality, I realized how overwhelmed with grief I was to see this place in such ruin. All I had now were the memories of what used to be, and from the looks of things would never be again. As I stepped out what used to be the door, I looked over my shoulder and I could still faintly read the sign: Sunday School at 10:00, Worship 11:00, Everyone Welcome!
I must tell you how I have struggled for the answer, how could this have happened to a place that once so alive with the Holy Spirit? How could I live with the evidence I had seen that day? My heart was breaking, but as I prayed, I felt that God gave me some peace. I realized that yes, this frame of a building is gone and beyond repair, but God’s real church is us. As I began to think, God had touched so many lives in that little church. For out of it had sprung many workers in his vineyard, some preaches, some teachers, some singers, some prayer warriors, and most importantly some soul winners. Lives that came through that church are now spread everywhere. I came to a conclusion that held a little peace, as long as those people are working in his vineyard diligently, the light from that old lighthouse is still burning brightly.
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A few more paragraph breaks would make this a more pleasant read.
I suggest breaking it into smaller paragraphs. Also, somehow keep the idea of the lighthouse throughout the writing.
Good job.