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: Love (04/27/06)
Until I became a teenager, my grandmother was the only Christian I knew whose faith was reflected in her life. She spent her days reading the Bible and singing soft hymns, while modeling modesty, gentleness and patience.

My mother called her “Iron Angel” because she did not question who she was in the Lord — an arched-backed warrior for Jesus. She would ask the homeless to recite scripture before she gave them money and her eyes could pierce a soul. Once, while we were crossing the street at night, a group of hoodlum boys jumped out of a car and rushed toward us. Not knowing their intent, I stepped behind my then 70-year-old gramma. I knew she would take care of them — with love and without fear. She did.

I cannot recall a complaint ever crossing her lips. Through sneezes and coughs, she’d never confess to having a cold. The eternal soldier marched on. Shopping still brought a glint to her eyes and annual sprees downtown with Mom and me didn’t tire her. Year after year, she would simply sit and rest a little more frequently.

She intentionally put on pounds, “a little insulation,” in winter and stretched each morning to loosen the joints. The Iron Angel fought on. A quarter Choctaw, Gramma’s long black hair grayed as her steps slowed. But she kept smiling, even when she couldn’t maintain her winter weight.

When the diagnosis was cancer, she kept it quiet until the secret could no longer be concealed. Near the end, I visited her in the nursing home. It was January.

Small and frail, she lifted her head. Absent was the spark. Gone was the glint. She spoke but a few words. “I am wore out. I am wore out.” Iron Angel no more.

A life well served. God took her home on Valentine’s Day—the ultimate romantic act from the Author of love.
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 1081 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Debbie OConnor
05/05/06
I like this picture of your iron angel of a grandmother. Well done. I would love to read the details on how she overcame the hoodlums with love. Beautiful! I've got some Choctaw in me, too.
Lynda Schultz 
05/06/06
Beautiful. Short, but very sweet. Well done.
Sherril Wendling
05/06/06
The title drew me right in, and your story did not disappoint! I, too, would dearly like to know how she handled the hoods...Thanks, great piece!
Virginia Gorg
05/08/06
Very well done! A keeper.
dub W
05/08/06
Nice and tight, well done.
Dr. Sharon Schuetz
05/09/06
Good job. I especially like the phrase, "Gramma’s long black hair grayed as her steps slowed."
Rachel Rudd
05/09/06
I liked this description of a Christian warrior in the faith. Very sweet. I join with the other two comments about the curiosity to know how she dealt with the hoodlums.
Phyllis Inniss 
05/11/06
What a beautiful tribute to your grandmother. Her life has certainly been a blessing and an inspiration to you and your mother. There is so much pride in your writing of her. So very well done.