Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Hear (07/08/10)
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TITLE: Wisdom Comes with Age | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mildred Sheldon
07/15/10 -
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Grandma lifted her eyes from her Bible and looked at her 19 year old grandson before she spoke. “Stephen come sit next to me and I will try to explain why I read my Bible every morning as well as throughout the day and why we always tell all you children to be doers and hearers of God’s Word. Stephen I will read what God’s Word says about that. James 1:19-25 says.” ‘My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it---he will be blessed in what he does.’
Stephen looked into Grandma Daniels eyes and softly spoke. “Grandma, now I understand why mom and dad always tells us to clean out our ears and listen to what they are saying to us. I now understand why my friend, Jacob, got so angry the other day. I was hearing with my ears, but I wasn’t really listening. I just smiled, nodded my head like an idiot and didn’t say anything. He accused me of not listening and angrily walked away. I owe Jacob an apology for hearing but not truly listening. Thanks Grandma for explaining it so plainly.”
Grandma Daniels chuckled at the lesson Stephen had learned from Jacob and hugged him before she spoke. “Stephen, my precious, I truly do believe you understand what James said. Now to answer your second question. Stephen, the Bible tells us how to live our lives to please God, but we all miss the mark until we are ready and able to understand the lessons God is teaching us. When Christ became my Savior I couldn’t grasp how big and awesome God truly was so I tried to put Him in a box and shrink Him down to my size. It took awhile before I understood that God is not confined to just our bodies or buildings. He is everywhere for He is omnipotent. That is a difficult idea to truly grasp, but it is true none the less, and from time to time I need reminding of how great, loving, understanding and forgiving my God is. That is why I read my Bible throughout the day. It helps me keep my mind on Him, because I, being a sinner, sometimes forget and fall back into the sins of the world.”
Stephen hugged Grandma and kissed her on the cheek before he spoke. “Grandma I’m so glad we had this talk, because I’ve not been living a Godly life. I now know there are so many things I don’t know and really don’t understand. If I want to be like you and my parents I will have to start reading and studying my Bible more. Then with the guidance of Christ I will learn to be a hearer and doer of His Holy Word. Grandma if Jacob came with me next week would you teach us about the Bible? You explain it so I can understand it.”
Grandma Daniels eyes twinkled merrily as she spoke. “Stephen I would be delighted to share the Bible with you and Jacob. We can sit and talk as long as you like. I look forward to next weekend Stephen.”
Stephen rose hugged Grandma and said over his shoulder as he walked out the door. “See you next weekend Grandma, I love you.”
Scripture NIV
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It might have been easier to read if the 2nd paragraph was divided into 2 paragraphs. Then you could have put the passage in italics so it's clear she's reading from the Bible.
I liked how the grandson was able to figure out what he did wrong on his own. This is a hard thing for many adult writers to do. Well done.