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: Break (02/06/06)
I just came home yesterday from what may have possibly been the best vacation in which God has blessed me. Being a mother of three young children and working part time as a student minister, I am around our younger generation quite a bit. My break didn’t come from being removed from my many children. It came from being around my extended family. They shared with me not only the joys of my children but the burdens of laundry, dishes and even discipline at times. I was able to truly relish the beach, even if it was February.

On one particular day, I was able to go running, alone with my MP3. A beautiful treat for me. I took off with full force, pacing myself wasn’t even considered. I ran and listened to some Billy Joel, his old stuff. I was loving myself. The beach house wasn’t directly on the shore so I had to run through the community before I got to the ocean. As my pace slowed God created a moment for me that I will never forget. Eden’s Bridge sings an old song titled “Abide With Me”. At the moment it began with it’s Celtic flair, I saw the beach turn into ocean and the ocean turn into sky. The soothing melody came over me with such calming force I felt I could float into the sunset. It was magical.

I wanted a reminder of my perfect moment from my Lord so I looked around. My eye immediately went to a beautiful shell. The perfect shell for the perfect moment from the perfect vacation. As I quickly bent down to pick it up, it wasn’t beautiful at all. The sand had been covering a large part that had been broken. As I was about to toss it back into the sand, something stopped me. I heard God say, “I keep you and you are broken.”

Tears swelled and I knew he not only just keeps me but cherishes this broken shell. This broken shell that needed this break because life had about gotten the best of her. He didn’t throw me back because I have been impatient and unkind, even literally brokenhearted. He did just the opposite. He sent His Son to die so this shell can be made perfect before Him.

I managed to survive about 500 miles back home, in the car, with my kids and my beautifully broken shell. I plan to keep it close to remind me of that moment and God’s perfect message.

“Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me”

(First verse of “Abide With Me”)
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 965 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Georgiana Daniels
02/16/06
You have such a gentle touch with words. I enjoyed your descriptions, and felt like I was at the beach with you. The truth from your story is a beautiful point well taken.
Pat Guy
02/16/06
Beautiful! I was right there enjoying every moment. And I do the same thing - take a momento of special times. God's gift of special times. Good flow - good writing!