Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Purposefulness (Purpose in Life) (05/25/06)
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TITLE: Carly's Prayer | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Vest
05/31/06 -
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It wasn’t the first time she’d prayed for her husband. Edmond hadn’t grown up in a Christian home as Carly had and he never seemed settled in who he was. He had gone to church with Carly occasionally and even went forward to receive Jesus as his Savior, but she knew he hadn’t yet made him Lord.
After several business failures, Edmond was at his wits end. First the bicycle repair shop, then the internet tee-shirt business and now this week, his attempt at a music and instrument store had ended on a sour and deeper-in-debt note. Carly’s concern for him loomed over her mind like a hungry cat over its prey.
Grabbing her purse, she went to kiss Edmond goodbye and offer him more encouragement. “Honey, it’ll be okay. I know God has a plan just for you. You just need to ask Him what His plan is.”
Edmond sat still offering only a faint smile and a barely audible, “Thanks, you’d better get to work while one of us still has a job.” Carly leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, then hurried out the door.
Edmond’s mind raced as he sat staring into his coffee. Failure, defeat and despair gnawed at him, like rats chewing on a rope.
“I don’t know what You want me to do God!” he shouted, slamming his fist on the kitchen table. As he did, a letter propped up against the napkin holder fell over. Edmond hadn’t noticed it before. He picked it up and pulled out the letter it contained.
Childish handwriting conveyed a message to his wife.
Dear Mrs. Franklin,
Thank you for helping me when my mommy died. You really helped me to get through it. I was real mad and scared. You helped me feel better when you told me that my mommy was in heaven and she wants me to be happy. So I just wanted to tell you that I love you and I’m glad you are my teacher. You are the best teacher. I know God made you to be a teacher. Anyway, thank you Mrs. Franklin.
Love,
Olivia
Edmond’s eyes were moist as he folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope.
He felt ashamed of himself. He remembered Carly telling him when they were dating, how she felt God had called her to be a teacher. He hadn’t said anything to her, but he thought she was silly to think God would be that interested in what people did for a living. But now he wasn’t so sure he was right anymore, about anything.
Looking up, he saw Carly’s Bible across the table. He reached for it and opened it.
His eyes fell upon the words. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. All the feelings of failure and defeat dissolved into a new hope that he had never known.
“God,” he prayed, “I’m sorry for trying to do things my way. I see now, You have a plan for me. Help me to know what it is you want me to do. I just want your guidance. I don’t want to waste anymore time. If you have a purpose for my life, I’m ready to get started now.”
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Two years later…
“Edmond Lucas Windsor,” his name boomed across the auditorium P.A. system. The crowd applauded as Edmond shook hands with the Dean of the medical school and received his diploma. Edmond returned to his seat.
“I’m so proud of you sweetheart!” Carly beamed, her smile melting Edmonds heart.
“I couldn’t have done this without you Carly,” he wrapped his arms around her waist.
“I know. It was all part of God’s plan! I think when God made you, he was thinking of me!” Looking up at Edmond, Carly planted a kiss squarely on his lips.
He hugged her tighter, grateful to God that He had brought them together and helped him to find and pursue his God-given destiny.
Carly hugged him back as she silently prayed, “Thank you God for hearing my prayer and helping Edmond realize who You made him to be.”
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My suggestion is that you try to avoid what I call "Christian cliches"--to name a few: went forward to receive Jesus, hadn't yet made Him Lord, God has a plan, when He made you He was thinking of me...If you think of new and fresh ways to convey these concepts, you'll "grab" your readers more, and will especially appeal more to non-Christian readers.
The letter from the student was a very nice touch; I liked that a great deal.