Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Justified (02/26/26)
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TITLE: Change for the Better | Previous Challenge Entry
By June Anderson
02/26/26 -
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“Hi, honey. Sorry I’m late,” Elaine said breathlessly as she took her seat in front of Brewster at the little wrought iron table on the porch of the coffee shop. Late spring in the Carolinas was usually quite pleasant, even in the early mornings. “Oh, thank you for ordering for me.” She smiled and squeezed his hand as she picked up her cup and smelled the freshly brewed coffee. She took a tiny sip to check the temperature. He knew just how she took it, nice and hot with two creamers and two sugars. No fancy stuff for her. Just plain coffee.
“You look pretty this morning, as usual,” he said with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes.
“Thank you, honey.” She gave him a questioning look and said, “You seemed a bit anxious to get together this morning when we talked last night.” Tuesday nights had been, for a while now, a time apart for them to be alone for the evening. It had actually been Elaine’s idea. She thought that couples sometimes spend too much time together if they spend every day together. Sort of odd when one thinks about it if a couple is planning to marry and spend every single day together, but it had turned out to be a good thing, for Brewster especially.
“Well,” he laughed quietly, “I am a little anxious but not in a nervous sort of way, I guess. I have something to tell you.” Her face fell. She was just sure it was something bad. Surely he hadn’t changed his mind about getting married. “No, no! Don’t worry! It’s something good!” he reassured her, taking her hand in his and squeezing it.
“Oh, okay,” she said with a slow exhale and a nervous smile.
“Well, I wanted to tell you what I’ve been doing on my free Tuesday nights. I’ve been going to a Bible study.” He gave her just a second to see her reaction. Then he added, “And, well, I gave my life to Jesus Christ last night at the study.” Her face was a question mark. He knew she didn’t know what that means, so he clarified by saying, “I became a Christian.” She sat still for a few seconds, expressionless. He wasn’t sure what to do next.
She smiled weakly and admitted, “I don’t know exactly what that means.” She searched his eyes for an explanation.
“Well, I’ve been learning about Jesus at this study and learned that we all sin, which separates us from God. The only thing that can right that is the realization that Jesus, His Son, died for us so that we could be justified.”
“Justified?” she shrugged in confusion. She had not grown up in church and had no idea what he meant.
“Justified means that God has declared me righteous in His eyes. When one accepts Jesus Christ into their life, He comes in and forgives all their sin. Everything they’ve ever done is forgiven and He helps them to live life like He wants them to. Clean and right. It doesn’t mean that person is perfect. It just means they’re finally forgiven and on the right track.”
Elaine sat quietly thinking about what her fiancée had just said. Her mind raced. Was he still going to love her? Was she going to be good enough for him? Were there things they were doing that they would have to give up? He could almost read her mind. He took both her hands in his and began to explain God’s plan of salvation. He did such a good job of it and with such patience that before they had to leave for work, she had accepted Christ as her Savior and they both looked forward to spending the evening together over dinner and talking about their new life. They both had a lot to learn, but they would get through it together and grow as they had never imagined. Life was going to be so much better!
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