The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Tie (02/28/13)
LOVE THAT BINDS


Bill and Jean have been married for just over 63 years. They are in their 80's now, with four children, several grand children and great grand children. They had a full life with the usual ups and downs that is common in all marriages. They have weathered the storms and now in their twilight years they are close to each other than ever.

Bill is an extrovert with a keen sense of humor. He always have a joke to tell or a wise crack to make. His greatest joy comes from making others laugh. He has a bumper sticker on his car that reads, "Marriage is finding that one special person you can annoy for the rest of your life.”
Bill is a family man in every sense of the word, he loves his family and he is there for them whenever they need him. He is a jack of all trades and literally built with his own hands the home that he and Jean still share today.

Jean is a bit introverted, but a kind and gentle woman. Someone you would be blessed to have as a friend. She is thoughtful, caring and generous, a pleasure to be around. Together with Bill they have a close knit family that enjoy spending time together, holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and in-between times. Jean loves people and is known for her hospitality to friends and family alike.

Over the last few years, Jean's health has been deteriorating, not so much physically as mentally. She has been suffering from depression and melancholy. This is not a continuous state, however, the bouts seem to be occurring more frequently. Through it all Bill has been unwavering in his devotion to his beloved wife. The bond between them remains steadfast and strong.

God in His wisdom has placed everyone in families and joined them together with an invisible bond of love. A love that binds them together whether far or near. For richer or poorer, in good times and bad times, in sickness and in health. This type of love is not found only among family members but among friends and among Christians whether they know each other or not.


Back in the eighteenth century a Baptist pastor by the name of John Fawcett wrote a poem titled “Bless Be the Tie That Binds.” It was later put to music and it’s a hymn that we still sing today. One of the verses of this hymn aptly describes how it is when we are bound together by love.

We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear,
And often for each other flows
The sympathising tear

Followers of Christ are known by the love they have one for another. Love is what draws us to God and Him to us. Love binds us together.
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.
This article has been read 698 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Allison Egley 
03/09/13
(I thought I already posted this, then found this in progress. So I apologize if this comes twice.)

This is good.

I'd suggest that rather than just telling us about the couple, SHOW us. Give us a conversation between the husband and wife that show everything you told us. If you want more information/details, feel free to message me.

Nice job over all. Keep writing!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
03/10/13
I think that you did a marvelous job in telling this charming story. I am inspired by love such as this. It's beautiful and something we all hope for. I believe my parents would have made it to 50, 60 even 70 years together had my mom not died at such a young age.

I did notice some tiny errors and typos such as grandchildren is one word. A good proofreader or challenge buddy can help you spot these things before you submit. I would encourage you to read some stories in levels 3 and 4 and see if you connect with the certain author, If you do, send them a personal message and ask if they would consider being your challenge buddy. Or you could go to the message boards and look for a critique group there. Unfortunately, not everyone has been successful finding someone that way.

Overall, I think you did a fine job on covering this topic. There have been many stories this week about the ties that bind, but I enjoyed the personal touch that you put into this article. I left with a sense of hope and a smile in my heart, which is a great way to start my day. Good job.

If you would like more feedback, throw a brick on the message board. Here's a link for you to copy and paste to take you there: http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=36659