Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Encouragement (among believers) (11/08/07)
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TITLE: THE LETTER | Previous Challenge Entry
By Theresa Vogel Millward
11/15/07 -
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Tricia’s saving grace was that she had a job as a sales representative for a small pharmaceutical company, but it wasn’t enough to pay all her living expenses. Since her husband moved out, Tricia was stuck with the house payment, plus the other bills that come with maintaining a home.
Tricia slouched in a chair and picked up her Bible. She thumbed through it hoping to find some answers for her troubled life. Her eyes fell on a scripture that was familiar to her. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” Tricia read it again and felt it had real meaning for her.
As Tricia closed her Bible, she noticed the mailman coming up the walk; she ran out to meet him. “Good morning Henry, any good mail today?” “Well, I dunno, smiled Henry as he handed Tricia her mail. “Here’s a few pieces. Hope you find somethin’ you’re lookin’ for.”
Tricia went back into the house and sat at the kitchen table and quickly scanned her mail. Bill, bill, bill, she muttered to herself. Then she came across a pink envelope with familiar handwriting. Her friend Carrie wrote. She and Carrie had been friends since high school and had attended the same church. Although they now lived miles apart, they still maintained a solid friendship. Tricia carefully tore open the envelope. As she read Carrie’s letter, tears welled in her eyes. Tricia came upon words that touched her heart.
As a believer, we can choose to worry, doubt, and really have no victory. However, as a child of the King, we can choose NOT to let our situations determine our joy in Christ. Good days and bad days, disappointments, despair, it is all real. Yet Christ can help us overcome all these challenges in our lives. We are a people with a hope.
Your life has had its ups and downs….But you were chosen in Christ, it is His strength we draw from, it’s His purposes we hold close to us. It is His ROCK and SALVATION we build our lives on—lean on Him. He wants to be your all-in-all.
Carrie’s remarks hit home for Tricia. She said a silent thank you to God for the timely letter. It gave her the encouragement she needed to face her circumstances. Tricia knew it wouldn’t be easy, but she did know whose strength to tap in to that would get her through the days ahead.
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I think this would be even stronger without the 6th and 7th paragraphs...let your strong writing preach the message, rather than telling people what they should learn from the story. And your writing is great!
I'd have liked to know what the letter said.
You did well at capturing Tricia's mood, and the change after the letter of encouragement.
I'm guessing that the 6th and 7th paragraphs were the letter from the friend. If so, quotation marks or italics would help the reader. The same for the main character's thoughts.
This is a good story. Keep writing.