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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Hard and Soft (04/23/09)
It was a harsh winter day, but their glares were harsher as they drug the adulterous woman onto the street to face her accusers. Her judge and jury all Pharisees and students of the Law, all ready with stones to condemn her.

Sentence was passed quickly, DEATH. She was pushed violently to the ground. The side of her soft face slapped against the cold hard stone. She caught a glimpse of her husband, the glimmer in his eye and the smirk on his face. The same pain went through her heart. He had been just as hard these past twelve years.

The crowd parted and so did the clouds. Rays of sunlight seemed to shine directly on the face of the Rabbi. He had stooped down, facing her, drawing with a stick on the ground. His eyes looked directly into hers and her trembling ceased. Never had she seen such love in the eyes of any man.

She dare not move. What was he saying? “He who is without sin let him cast the first stone.” She closed her eyes tightly but no blows came. Finally, she heard the sounds of rocks falling to the ground all around her, then feet shuffling slowly into the distance.

The woman wondered if he might still be there but she did not want to face this man, this love either. Not after what she had done, and he knew. Then she felt him near her.

He took her hand and lifted her to her feet. He wiped blood from her brow and again she looked into his face. There was no malice in him, no hatred or anger. No need to belittle. Only tender kindness and acceptance. It was soft and sweet to her soul and she need not look for it in any other again.

I am not this woman. I am another. One who has also felt the cold hard glares of disapproval or rejection. More guilty than not, I have come face to face with this same man, this great love. I too, will never need to look any further.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Mary McLeary
04/30/09
I like your simple, direct approach to a powerful story of love.
Judy Meyers
04/30/09
I would have loved to read more about your idea of what she was thinking. Sweet story of Jesus and His love for us.
Betty Overstreet
05/02/09
Beautifully written!!
Deborah Porter 
05/08/09
Hi Rachel. I just wanted to leave a quick note to let you know your entry, Two Women One Man, actually did very well in the Hard and Soft Challenge. Although you didn't receive an award, you made it into the Highest Rankings for Level 2, placing 8th in that Level. Well done.

If you'd like to check the highest rankings for yourself, you can find them here:
http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=373619

The highest rankings are posted every Thursday evening on the Message Boards.
Again, well done. :-)

Hope to see you at the FaithWriters' Conference in August.

With love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)