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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: STRESSED - Begins January 18 / Ends January 25 (01/18/18)
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results. By that definition, Isabella was most definitely insane. The same children were having the same problems yet again. She knew if she had to repeat herself one more time, she might very well scream.

Her whole day was spent reminding herself to take a slow breath in and a long relaxing breath out. Breathing exercises helped to keep her grounded, recharge the batteries, strengthen the resolve, refill her low levels of patience and reestablish a clear head during an otherwise hectic day of teaching twenty-five children ages 5-12.

Isabella was thankful she had been taught these self-help tricks a long time ago by her Mother, but what made these tools even more effective was combining them with the truth she had come to know and love from the Bible.

Taking the next slow deep breath in, Isabella read the sign she kept on her desk:

Breathe in God’s Spirit
Exhale God’s Love

Each time she combined His truth with the breathing techniques, the laundry load of problems turned into a small one-wash-load and a lot more manageable. Alright, God, we can do this!

Squaring her shoulders, Isabella responded to her name being called again from three of her adorable little students and plastered the most loving smile she could on her face. She adored the group of children she was in charge of every day at the orphanage, but the constant need to correct, redirect and problem solve for them could wear one out very easily and quickly. And, if she didn’t keep herself grounded, she could very easily take her exhaustion and frustration out on them, which would be unfair. They needed her to be strong and, with God’s help, she would be - even though she was seriously contemplating changing her name and not telling them what is was. . .

By the end of the night, Isabella thought for sure she was going to pass out from the amount of times she had to do the breathing exercises. Feeling a little light headed, she wondered if she may have overdone the breathing exercises a bit. . .

Sitting down on the couch in the main room, Isabella didn't hear her long time friend and local Pastor, sit down beside her. She jumped when she felt him touch her hand. As she looked up, she saw his head bowed and heard him begin to speak.

“Dear Lord, we come to you right now with the burden of our day. We thank you for the opportunity we have to bless others. Please renew Isabella's strength. Help her to remember that when we are weak, You are strong. Fill her with the peace that passes all understanding. Help her know it guards her heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Thank you for the promises we can claim in Your Word, Lord. You keep us going and we are eternally grateful. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Isabella was so overwhelmed with the peace flooding her soul that she didn't realize Daniel was gone until she opened her eyes several minutes later. In that moment, God spoke to her heart. She felt it. He was real. Moments like this were to be treasured and never forgotten.
As she went to write in her journal, a thought stopped her. Maybe this is what a godly relationship looked like. . .

Isabella had sworn off the idea of being married because of her past experiences, but if the man embodied and put into action Christ's love the way Daniel did, maybe marriage wasn't such a bad idea.
After writing, Isabella laid down with a smile on her face and closed her eyes. She fell asleep immediately after saying a prayer of thanks for her dear friend, Daniel.

-------

Daniel walked back to his parsonage thanking God for the opportunity to pray with his dear friend, Isabella. He had known her since they were children and was thrilled the day she accepted Christ into her heart five years ago. The change in her was tremendous. “Lord, I don't want to run ahead of You, but You know how I feel about her. If it is in Your will, please help her to see me in a different way and to let go of her experiences in her past which have tainted the idea of being in a relationship.” Daniel took a deep breath and continued, “But, for now, I will trust You and wait. . . Amen”
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jenny Fulton 
01/27/18
Good job with the story and character development. I enjoyed the breathe in, breathe out with God's spirit and love.
C D Swanson 
01/28/18
Great job with the topic.
Well done
Blessings~
Susan Montaperto
01/29/18
A well constructed story with a very clear message. Thank you. God Bless.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
01/31/18
This is an interesting story. I quickly became invested in Isabella. I smiled too because my daughter is a first-grade teacher, and boy can it be hard.

For me, your opening didn't really fit. My first thought was a bit sardonic: <i>Who is they?</i> It's also a cliché, which I sense you are a strong writer who doesn't need clichés. Lastly, it seemed contradictory too because what she was doing seemed to work, at least to a degree.

For example, I might edit it like this:

Glancing around the room, Isabella slipped to the corner for a reprieve. <I> I'm afraid I'll scream if I have to tell those kids to be quiet and listen one more time! </i>Isabella braced herself before stepping back into the melee. She inhaled deeply, praying the oxygen would race to her tired brain and help her find a way to wrangle twenty-five kids aged from five to twelve. (Notice that I wrote out all the numbers. Some rules say write out to ten, others to a hundred, but they agree to be consistent.)

That's just a quick example to show you what I meant. By using thoughts, body language, and dialog, you can paint a brilliant mental picture for your reader.

I think your message is great. I especially liked that you wrote out the prayers. Some people don't know how to pray, and this is a great example. The ending was sweet and left me with a smile. Great job.