Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Write a Coming OF AGE short story (11/20/14)
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TITLE: Love and Freedom | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joanna Lynn
11/25/14 -
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She could barely handle the thought of being at home when her dad was there. Dread filled her when she saw or heard his car approaching the house. She knew the yelling and abusive words would start almost immediately when he walked through the door. She wanted to move out, but she didn't make enough money at her job and she had another month of school. She had to finish school. It was the only way she could make something of her life and be free from her dad's hatred.
Jackie had managed to make it to her senior year in high school with an A/B average, but it hadn't been easy. Her dad had always told her she was stupid and would never amount to anything. Because of her dad's thoughts on the worthlessness of his daughter, he didn't even think school was worth Jackie's time. He had made it clear what she had to focus on was finding work to support herself so she could "finally get out of the house".
But she had always hoped to go to college. She had good enough grades to get scholarships, but she knew her dad would never support her. Could she do it on her own?
In the end, she knew she was never really alone. Her mom had taught her about Jesus and her grandma had continued teaching her when Jackie was able to spend time with her. She loved her nana. Nana always told her that God had great plans for her and He would never leave her. She'd quoted Scriptures to her about these topics and so many more all the time. Nana's love shone so brightly into Jackie's life that she was able to shoulder through the horrible life her dad painted for her.
She fed off her nana's love and she wanted the life of promise Jesus offered her rather than the life of misery and sadness that her dad lived. So, she approached her dad one day and asked if she could move in with Nana to finish high school and then attend the local college. He lost it! He was angrier than Jackie had ever seen him. What was wrong? Her dad had told her for as long as she could remember that he couldn't wait for Jackie to get out of the house and stop mooching off of him. But now, when she was seeking to do just that, her dad was angry and saying that she would not go and take advantage of her grandmother like she had done to him her entire life!
Where was this coming from? Why wouldn't he just let her go? Her dad had no purpose for her. How could she make the difference in her life if her dad wouldn't set her free? She prayed about it all night and, in the morning, did some research on her computer. She learned that, since she was already 18-years-old, she was legally an adult and could do what she wished without her dad's consent.
She sat quietly for a long time, then got up, went for a long walk and prayed even more as she tried to think it through. Jackie thought about how Nana hadn’t had an easy life, like losing her husband young and living on a shoestring budget all while doing a great job raising her daughter, but she had always trusted God through it all and He had always provided. Nana had always lived with the conviction of there being freedom in Christ and, as long as she trusted fully in Him and listened for His leading, nothing could overtake her.
Jackie knew there was no freedom or love at her dad’s home. However, God loved her more than she could ever imagine and He had plans for a future and hope for her. These were the promises Jackie clung to and the life she intended to live regardless of what her dad said.
Slowly, she breathed a deep sigh, deepened her resolve and went upstairs to pack her bags.
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