Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: DISTANCE (10/08/20)
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TITLE: Distance from God | Previous Challenge Entry
By Louis Detweiler
10/15/20 -
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“What are you talking about, princess? Here, come crawl into my lap and let me hold you.”
“Pappy, I lie down at night and I don’t feel God close to me. It’s as if he is way off in the universe somewhere. How do I know he even knows where I am?”
“Well Ginny, God is always there. We need to make a decision to be close to him if we want to feel him close to us. One way we get him to be close to us is to pray. When we pray to God than we are close to him and he hears us.”
“Didn’t God make all the stars, moon, and sun? They are millions of miles away from us. Is God there, too?”
“Well, yes God made the earth, stars, and the whole universe. God is everywhere.”
"How can God be everywhere and still be close to me?”
“Well, Ginny, we can’t see God, but God is everywhere. We believe in God through faith. Do you have faith that I will do the right thing and help keep our home in good shape?”
“Oh, Pappy, I feel so protected and safe here with you and Grandma. You’re the best. I have the best time here on your farm. I don’t ever want to leave.”
“Roy and your mother will be coming next week to pick you up and take you home, but you are welcome to come here anytime you want. We have faith that God is with us. We believe that we have a helper living on the inside of us called the Holy Spirit. Now, that is close. God is living on the inside of you. You can’t get much closer than that.”
“Grandma stepped out on the porch. “I’ve got some cookies for Ginny. What are you two talking about?”
“Pappy is telling me how close God is to me. Sometimes I feel distant from God when I try and go to sleep at night. I feel God is not there and Pappy is telling me God is on the inside of me.”
“Mercy, child, we have terrible storms here during the summer. I’m sure God even runs and hides from the hail, rain, and wind.”
“Hold on, Mary. I think we need to set Ginny straight. Even though many problems come our way, God is still there. The Holy Spirit is living on the inside of us. We have a world that is dangerous and if we are not careful, we can get hurt. Sometimes we run into trouble, that’s not our fault. Look what happened to the Davis farm. Lightning started a fire and burned half the farm and their barn before they could put it out.”
Mary answered, “I always wondered about that fire. I pray it never happens to us.”
Ginny asked, “Was God close to those people when the fire started?”
“I know Mr. Davis for many years, he is a man of God. We talk about our faith all the time. Why his farm burned I don’t know. But his faith, perseverance, and attitude helped rebuild his farm after the fire. We don’t know why some things just happen, but we know where our hope comes from.”
“What if something bad happens to me?” asked Ginny.
Mary remarked, “That is why Pappy and I are here Ginny. We love you and will protect you as much as we can, but God helps us all through life. When you get older you will understand that the Holy Spirit will help protect you all the time.”
Ginny climbed down and stood on the front steps and watched the sun as it sank in the distance. “God is with the sun and with us and the Holy Spirit is living on the inside of us. Why do I feel distant from God?”
Mary rested her hand on Ginny’s back. “I guess it’s an attitude. Our mind has to be open to God’s grace. I know when I pray very hard, I always seem to feel better. When we ask God to be with us and help us, he will answer. He is there in thought.”
“I think I understand. God is everywhere, even inside me. I just need to pray and ask God to help me then he will comfort me.”
“Well spoken. Let’s pray,” I answered.
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One thing you can do is read it out loud to make sure the language is age appropriate.
I'm not sure how old the little girl is but it seemed weird for her to say "I feel distant from God"
I thought the opening question was more authentic.
Thanks for sharing
Blessings and Gratitude