Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Actions Speak Louder than Words" (without using the actual phrase). (02/21/08)
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TITLE: Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice | Previous Challenge Entry
By Fern Rice
02/23/08 -
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“Course there is!” retorted Pip. She stood and stretched up, then for good measure reached down and touched her toes. “We’ve had a whole week to get this assignment done. Not Mr Riley’s problem if we choose to do other things instead of study.”
“I know, I know,” muttered Rayelene. “I’m just not inspired tonight and it has to be in by lunch time doesn’t it? Maybe if I skip a class tomorrow...”
“Don’t talk rubbish! Get organising yourself now instead of wasting energy thinking of a way out. I’ll go and put the jug on. Sounds as though you need some coffee.”
Raylene had been helping once a week at the church drop-in centre. Her rostered time was Friday night. But last week they were short handed and had called her in on Monday and Tuesday. She was way behind on all her studies because of it. “Never mind, I’ll stay up all night and go to bed straight after school tomorrow,” she thought aloud.
She struggled through the readings, underlining what she considered essential to her requirements, then thankfully finished the pot of coffee Pip had left before going to bed. At four in the morning she was satisfied that she had done her best under the circumstances. It wasn’t that she hated school, but sometimes she felt that life’s priorities were all wrong. Here she’d spent all night writing an article that would, if she was lucky, help her pass the course, but it was not world changing, and certainly by next month she wouldn’t even remember what it was all about.
Raylene had thrown herself into her bed as soon as she could the next afternoon. The last class had really stretched her. She was certain she had nodded off a couple of times. No sooner had she fallen into a deep sleep but Pip was shaking her awake.
“Is it morning already?” Raylene asked rubbing her eyes that still didn’t want to open.
“No, the Drop-In Centre called. They need you there right away. They said something about Joan was in. I didn’t really understand but they said you’d know what they were talking about.” Before Pip finished speaking Raylene was up and grabbing some trousers and a jumper. Then she was throwing on her jacket and looking for some shoes.
“Gotta go. Talk to you later,” Raylene spoke over her shoulder as she was rushing from the room. She jumped into her little old car, was pleased when it started first go, and zoomed off down the road to the Centre.
“Joan!” Raylene said a few moments later, as she took the younger girl by the shoulders and engulfed her in a hug. “I’m so glad you came back!” Joan returned the hug and then stepped out of the embrace.
“I went away to think.” You told me so many things and I needed to get my head round it all. I’ve never had anyone who cared let alone listened before. I’m not sure what I’m going to do, but I want to get out of this mess.” They went off together to one of the counselling rooms where they could chat in private.
“Actually I never thought you’d come when that lady phoned you,” Joan said sheepishly. I’m not exactly used to people doing what they say.” A lopsided grin tried to crack the surface of her face before the normal grim expression she wore slipped over it like a mask.
“I told you last time, that I will be truthful, and if I can’t be here when you need me I will tell you upfront and make a time when we both can come.”
“I know you said that, but doing it is another thing.”
Raylene suddenly heard in her inner ear: “I tell you the truth, whatever you [do] for one of the least of these [sisters] of mine you [do] for me. (Matthew 26:40, NIV)
She jumped up with new strength, and said “Let’s get something to eat then we can talk the night away.”
(690 words)
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