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 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of “A Stitch in Time Saves Nine” (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (01/03/08)
FOURTEEN TIMES

“Welcome to Revelation House, my name is Darnell Wade I am the senior counselor and I am also a graduate of Revelation House.” “For you new comers you first time in rehab guys, I implore you to make it your last time, relapse is not a necessity.” “For my old friends I say it is never too late to turn your life around. I myself am a chronic relapser. I went into rehab fourteen times before I came into the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life. He is more than able to set you free from any addiction you might have.”

As I looked out over the class I noted the young former corner boys mandated to the program by the court system. There they sat, reluctantly, giving off plenty of attitude. None believed they were supposed to be there and none believed they were addicted. When asked what their drug of choice was most said “I don’t do drugs, I smoke a little weed, and drink a little Hennessey is all.” Although they admitted to not being able to get up in the morning without smoking a joint or go to bed without a joint or functioning in society with out being high they some how separated themselves from “crack heads” and “ junkies”.

I looked out at them and I saw myself in my first rehab. There only to please others because I really didn’t have a problem. First I went to secular programs, sometimes for a rest and sometimes because I was homeless and didn’t want to stay in the shelter system. Then I started going to Christ centered programs, mostly because the food and treatment were better. As for Jesus, that was for old folks, something you did before you died so you could go to heaven. Then there was the fourteenth time, right here at revelation house, this time I was tired and broken. I had lost everything, family, friends and career. It was only by God’s grace I was alive as the enemy tried to kill me many times in my addiction. I was ready to listen, just who was this Jesus and what could he do for me? I’ll tell you what He did. He delivered me from “crack” cocaine and the bondage of sin. Fourteen times it took me to grab hold and now I look out on another class of young men standing on the precipice of drug addiction and all the pain that entails. so I pray for them, then I say “give it to Christ now!!”, but alas I start to cry because I already see it written on some of there foreheads FOURTEEN TIMES. I Hope they make it.
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 859 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Debbie Wistrom
01/10/08
If only they would listen.
Thanks for sharing a touching testimony.
Helen Paynter
01/11/08
Nice take on the topic. I'd have loved a bit more telling of the story - you summarised in parts what I'd have liked to live with you. GOod message.
Temple Miller
01/11/08
Wow, powerful message. I agree, I wanted to hear more of your testimony. I'd bet you could fill in the gaps with lots of stories. Good work.
Marita Thelander 
01/11/08
In your first paragraph, I couldn't tell if there was more than 1 speaker or not with your usage of quotation marks. Good testimony.
Jan Ackerson
01/12/08
Powerful and moving testimony. I was really touched by the "fourteen times."

In your first paragraph, you don't need to close off each sentence with its own quotation marks. One when you start talking, and one when you're done is sufficient.

I'd love to read more of this--I think you have a lot more to tell.
Helen Murray
01/17/08
What a heartfelt story! I sensed the depth of compassion that longed to show these youngsters the way out and spare them the agony. It's a common story today, not only on the drug scene. Well told.