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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Empty and Full (06/04/09)
I hadn’t planned to attend a religious event. I hadn’t meant to find Jesus. And, I certainly hadn’t intended to have a life-altering experience. Truth be told, I really just wanted to be inside, out of the rain. Wet, dirty and disheveled; I must have been quite the sight! I peeked into the brightly lit tent. I was happy to see rows and rows of clean, white plastic chairs. I could probably sit here for awhile, and not be shooed away. You see, when you look like I looked and smell like I smelled, not too many folks want you in near them.

It must be 15 years now since I lived on the streets. But, I remember those days all too well. I had given up on life because I believed life had given up on me. Bad choices and a haze of drugs, eventually took my family, my job, and my self-respect. Hopelessness seemed embroidered right on to my heart.

I sat down quietly in the back of the large tent, hoping not to be noticed. The preacher began to speak. I looked up from my feet. I swear his eyes were fixed only on mine, like we were the only two people in the tent that night. He said Jesus would forgive me for my mistakes. He said Jesus was my best friend. But, when he said that Jesus loves me and has never stopped loving me, a lump formed quickly in my throat. Try as I might, I just couldn’t help it. Here I was, a grown man, sobbing like a little child. I was overcome with emotion, like when a mother first sees her son return safely from war. Jesus loves me. Me! Hot tears streamed down my cheeks. See, I hadn’t felt love in a long, long time.

I hadn’t meant to find a Savior in a tent on a stormy May evening. But I did. I think when we are completely devoid of strength and hope, if we stopped trying to do it alone, if we just let Him, Jesus will fill our brokenness with His grace, our loneliness with His friendship, and our emptiness with His love.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Phee Paradise
06/14/09
Your first sentence grabbed me! You have great images too. I do think the last few sentences were unnecessary. It might have been more powerful to close with the last sentence of the last paragraph.
Connie Dixon
06/15/09
The content here is good and the miracles that Jesus still performs are just as miraculous as they were 2000 years ago. Great story.
Jana Kelley
06/15/09
Nice job! Keep writing!
Deborah Porter 
06/20/09
Hi Joanne. I just wanted to leave a quick note to let you know your entry, The Tent, actually did very well in the Empty and Full Challenge. Although you didn't receive an award, you made it into the Highest Rankings for Level 1, placing 6th in that Level.

There were a lot of entries this week, and the competition is always intense in Level 1, so you deserve a pat on the back. :-)

If you'd like to check the highest rankings for yourself, you can find them here:
http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=25956

The highest rankings are posted every Thursday evening on the Message Boards.

Hope to see you at the FaithWriters' Conference in August. It’s going to be an amazing time of inspiration, information and encouragement. (If I’ve already mentioned that to you, forgive me. We’re just so excited about letting members know about this great gathering.)
http://www.faithwriters.com/conference.php

With love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)