Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Sunday School (10/25/07)
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TITLE: Two Boys - Two Lives | Previous Challenge Entry
By LaNaye Perkins
10/29/07 -
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Logan is captivated by the story Miss Grundy is telling. In his mind he clearly sees the story she is telling. It is about Jesus and how he saves anyone that calls upon His name and believes in Him. Logan loves Jesus and has recently gotten saved. He doesn’t understand why Jimmy is so bored with hearing these stories. Both boys are in the same third grade class at school. Jimmy often makes fun of him by calling him a sissy Christian boy in front of all the other kids. Logan doesn’t like how mean Jimmy is, but he feels sorry for him. He’s heard his parents talk about how bad it is at Jimmy’s house, and they often lift his family up in prayers.
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The years pass and Jimmy grows up to be the school bully. His meanness is often directed toward Logan. Sometimes he just says rude and hateful things, but there are times he gets physical. He’s known Logan since they went to Sunday school together and has always tried to get him to lose his cool. He delights in tormenting him and is determined to get him to retaliate, but he never does, which makes Jimmy furious.
Logan tries to hate Jimmy for all the hateful things he does, but it’s just not in his heart to stay mad. Somehow mercy and forgiveness always replace the anger and hate. Logan doesn’t understand it, but knows it is what Jesus would have him do. So he continues to pray for Jimmy.
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More time passes and Logan is married with two children. He and his wife are strong Christians and youth leaders in their Church. He’s gone to college and works for a prominent marketing firm. His position doesn’t affect his personality though. He’s still kind and merciful with a big heart for others.
When Jimmy graduates from school, he is in jail within two months for severely beating a man in a drunken brawl. After he’s released he gets a job at the local gas station. He is still a rebellious angry man who handles life’s problems with his fists.
****
Late one night, a group of boys drive up to the gas station. While one boy stands watch, the others go inside to rob the place. When they leave, Jimmy has multiple stab wounds and is badly beaten.
Lying on the floor of the gas station, Jimmy is fighting to stay alive. His mind keeps going back to the Sunday school class so many years ago. Miss Grundy is talking about Jesus and how everyone who believes in Him are saved. All the violence of his life flashes through his mind and remorse fills his heart. Shame floods through him for all the wrong he‘s done.
“Jesus if you are real and you really love me like the Bible says, send someone to show me how to turn my life around. Save me if it‘s not too late!”
At that moment across town, Logan is lifting Jimmy up in prayer.
Before losing consciousness Jimmy hears Miss Grundy’s voice again.
“…everyone who believes in Jesus and asks for forgiveness will be saved.”
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Jimmy struggles repeatedly to wake up, but can‘t quite make it. He hears distant voices before unconsciousness takes him again.
“Will he pull through Doctor?“
“I don’t know, it’s just too soon to tell.“
A man is praying. Jimmy opens his eyes to see who it is, and the tears fall down his face. With barely a whisper he says: “Thank you Jesus.
With compassion Logan smiles as he clasps Jimmy’s outstretched hand.
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Laury
I think, in the third segment, you should still begin with Jimmy, to keep it consistent with the first two.
This is a really strong entry.
Congratulations on the showcase!