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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Craft (as in handcraft) (02/08/07)
It is December 1st and I am in big trouble! The Senior Women’s Craft group leader just called me again. I told myself I wasn’t going to answer my phone anymore until I had this problem solved. Why in the world do I keep agreeing to participate in all these time-consuming projects that keep being dreamed up by the women in that group. You would think they had no life outside the church!

Now this new “Fun” idea may seem like fun to them. They are so creative it makes me want to barf sometimes. Let’s make blankets for the new babies, oh yes, and lets crochet some slippers for the “old folks”, and the list continues to grow.

Crafts! I am so sick of all these ideas to start yet another project. I don’t think there is a solitary item these women can’t make. One lesson and off they go creating gorgeous things to give away.

I have never known so many people who spend their lives thinking of ways to make something to give to total strangers; The homeless shelter; The Pregnancy Counseling Center, and the list goes on and on.

I have tried. Honestly, I have tried every craft that comes along. Nothing I make ever turns out looking like it’s supposed to. And there is no way a pair of slippers I would crochet would fit anyone, even if I knew how to crochet, which I don’t. And besides, I don’t’ have time to sit for hours and make things. I am a pretty busy person.

Well, I suppose I have to return Lula’s call but, I’m just going to tell her the truth. I have absolutely no interest in sewing. It is ridiculous and untruthful to keep making excuses and offering to help when I really don’t want to.

“Hello, this is Jeannie Brown. Is this Lula?”

“Yes, Jeannie, did you decide what you want to make for the Christmas bazaar? Do you want to make a blanket?”

“Lula, I need to talk to you about the Craft Club. I really don’t like to sew and I don’t know how to crochet so I think maybe I need to stop coming to the meetings. I wish I could help out in some way but I just have to be truthful and tell you I am really no good at this sort of thing.”

“ Jeannie, I totally understand. We each need to volunteer to help in a way that we can enjoy what we are doing and be helping others, too. My talent happens to be making craft type things but you need to think of what you really like to do and then pray for guidance to serve in the area that God wants you to use your talents. He makes us all different so there is someone to fill each little niche. And Jeannie, don’t feel bad about this at all.”

“Oh, by the way, Jeannie, I wanted to thank you for those wonderful cookies you baked for our meeting last week. They were delicious!”
“I am so glad you liked them. That was a new recipe I found and I could hardly wait to try it out. I love to bake cookie!.”

“Really, did you know there are a half-dozen or so ladies who are getting together a schedule for people who like to bake to supply the cookies for Sunday morning fellowship hour? I am sure they would love for you to help them, and by the way, we could use some for the Christmas bazaar if it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

“I would love to do that. And I don’t even have to pray about joining that group of ladies. I think maybe I do need to talk to God about what other ways He wants me to serve him. I imagine I have some other talents that He would be glad to bring to my attention. He probably gets pretty upset when we have a problem and don’t even bother to let Him help us solve it.”

“Goodbye Lula, nice talking to you. Could we get together for coffee some morning--and I will bring the cookies!”
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This article has been read 1223 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jacquelyn Horne
02/17/07
This is so true. Often we're talked into doing things that we can't do, making us neglect the things we can. Good job.
Michelle Burkhardt
02/18/07
I'm a cookies, not craft kind of person too. Nice job. I enjoyed the honesty of the character.
Jan Ackerson
02/18/07
The first half of this really appealed to me, because I am very much like this woman, and her voice rang true--witty and wry.

The second half, with the conversation between the two woman, didn't seem quite as realistic--maybe just some revision of the dialog to make it sound more casual.

Love the ending of this, and the wise message that we each have an important contribution to make.
Bonnie Way
02/20/07
I really got into your character at the beginning through her monologue, but after that the dialogue seemed forced. Great lesson here, however, that we need to serve where our gifts are. Thanks for sharing!