Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “A Stitch in Time Saves Nine” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/03/08)
-
TITLE: Maintaining Damage Control | Previous Challenge Entry
By Beckie Stewart
01/08/08 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
"Greetings, Mr. Tow-man. Please, take me to the nearest mechanic," we say, realizing no other options are left. "Here is the money. Please, fix my car as fast you can."
How ridiculous this all sounds. Who would keep driving their car, when they have so many indications of a problem with it? We know that a wise car owner checks the fluid levels on a regular basis. This practice among others prevents most minor issues from becoming full-blown wreckage to the vehicle. Certainly, we know that neglecting these small deeds will eventually result in no vehicle, and a lot of money and time to repair and return our car to us.
As unbelievable as this may be, this is exactly what many us do to our marriages. We are unwilling to spend the time or energy needed to maintain the most vital human relationship we could ever have. In fact, we will sacrifice our marriage for the children and/or our careers, deceiving ourselves into believing this is best for them as well as us.
"It's not that big of a deal," the offending spouse repeatedly tells the hurting spouse. "Just get over it." With no apology ever offered, the red light comes on. We take the blame upon ourselves, thinking nothing is significantly wrong with that view and move on.
"You don't love me or seem to care about me at all anymore," the insecure spouse cries. With no concern, an odd odor seeps in. It is discarded as unrelated to anything important, and once again, we continue on.
"You are never there for me when I need you." The spouse attempts to reach out again, but a small rattle emerges from within but ignored. We are functioning, but commitment is slowly dying.
"I don't know what to do anymore," the hurting spouse finally tells their friend as they consider divorce as a viable option. The rattle turns to a loud clanking. Smoke billows out. Unable to move forward another inch, 9-1-1 is dialed. What a shame to have waited so long to seek help.
Let us instead be just as wise with our marriages as most of us are with our vehicles. May we purchase or borrow books on marriage to better understand our spouse. Let's attend those marriage seminars, so we can receive practical ways to keep our marriage alive and burning before the damage is done. If there are children, let's arrange for a sitter and date our spouse like we did when we were courting. If counseling is needed, let's get it, so we are dealing with molehills instead of large mountains.
We all make choices on what is worth spending our time, money, and energy on. Our choices reveal what we really want and love. May we aim to put the maintenance of our marriages above our cars. This control will keep us from experiencing permanent damage from taking place.
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.
Good job...keep writing.
Evelyn Rodgers, Mb canada
You could leave off the first sentence entirely. It repeats the topic, which isn't encouraged, and you move on to show us anyway so it's unnecessary.
""I don't know what to do anymore," the hurting spouse finally tells their friend as they consider divorce as a viable option. In the previous paragraphs you avoided using a pronoun (he/she or the "they" substitute. The same could be done here with some simple rewording - "the hurting spouse tells a friend as divorce becomes a viable option." or something like that. :)
The car analogy is used skillfully. I like that it is consistently referred to throughout. Clear message, and perfectly on topic. Definitely not beginner level writing IMHO.