Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Write in the HISTORICAL genre (05/03/07)
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TITLE: Living Faith | Previous Challenge Entry
By sue moreland
05/09/07 -
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“God”, she called out. “ Be with me. Help me see how I am going to raise my two boys without their dad.”
They were both school teachers and rented a small house just outside of Hannibal, Missouri. Sherman taught History and she taught English at the High school in Hannibal. She loved everything about their life together. And it seemed ideal to raise her two boys in the home town of Samuel Clemens.
But suddenly their wonderful life was gone and she had no idea how she would raise 9 year old, James and 7 year old Charles by herself. Money had been sparse with Sherman alive and with only her small income she wondered how she would manage. “God”, she muttered, “You are all I have. I put my trust in you. You are now the only father for my boys. I will try to teach them your ways. Please be close beside me and guide me in you path. Show me your plan for us.”
About a month after Sherman’s death. Ethel received a card from a friend she had met while she was a student at Harding Christian College. In it he wrote: “Dear Ethel, Please except our prayers and sympathies in your loss. Your trust in God will see you through and give you strength for each day.
As you know I am working at a small Christian school here in Graton, California. It is located in the northern part of the state. And in a very close community of Christians. We would consider it an answer to prayer if you would consider coming here to teach English for us. The pay would be poor, but the benefits rich.
If there is any way you would consider moving here, I will give you a little piece of land and the community will come together and build a house for you and your boys. It won’t be fancy but it will be adequate. You will love our little town and everyone will welcome you and give you all the support you ever need. Please consider this offer and let us know what you decide.”
She knew almost instantly that this was God’s plan for her and it did not take her long to write back that she was coming. She knew in her heart that it was God’s leading.
That was 67 year ago. And today she sits in her old rocking chair at the age of 98, while a room full of 250 people sing “Happy Birthday” and celebrate her life.
She taught at that little Christian School until she was 85 years old, teaching three generations of children. She taught more than English, she also taught what trusting God can do.
She still lives in that house the community built her. She always considered it God’s house, loaned to her and often had students stay with her. And there was always a dinner party.
Her boys grew up surrounded by the love of all the community. They never had a lot of money , but they were rich in the things that mattered.
At the end of her birthday celebration she retold the story of her coming to Graton and ended with her usual statement. “God is faithful”, she said, “You be faithful to him in return.”
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I love to read stories like this.