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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Day's End (01/01/14)
It's five a.m.
“What would you have me do today, Lord?”
“I’ll show you as we go. Just follow Me.”


Thursday is our busy day. I know by the end of it, I will be exhausted, but there’s no time to think about that now. At 6 a.m. with the laundry started, I grab Giggles clothing for the day and walk up the stairs setting my coffee cup by the sink. Time to awaken Giggles and Soccer, put out the lunch supplies, and prepare breakfast.

At six forty-five I make sure that Filly is up and getting into the shower. At seven, I sit down to read devotions to Soccer and Giggles. We pray and they walk out the door to await their bus at 7:15.

Check on Engineer and make sure he is in the shower. Compassion and Artist get themselves up. At 7:30 they walk the dog together. Filly walks out at 8:05 to get on the bus, and Engineer is out the door by 8:25.

Two friends arrive to pray for our childrens’ elementary school. One of the moms seems down so we take a few extra minutes praying through some of her fears.

After math, and reading from their science books, reviewing Latin vocabulary flashcards, sliding the brownies in the oven, cutting up veggies for chili, I put out the ingredients for cornbread to make later.

At around 10:30 a.m. we begin packing up our books (I’ll grade papers) and load the kids’ instruments into the car. We head to the local college for homeschool band practice, while picking up some extra kids along the way. I am praying while I drive because the roads are icy.

After band practice is over we head to the local skating rink. Whew! I have a few minutes to visit with the other homeschooling moms over a cup of coffee. One friend seems to really need to talk, and I am praying for the right words while she shares, or just to know if a hug is enough.

Picking up Giggles and Soccer after they get home from school, we head for the community center for their 4H meeting. I need to run home and get Engineer and Filly, but Giggles needs a few extra hugs first while relating a hurtful situation with a friend earlier in her day.

We leave the community center and get home in time to finish up the cornbread, set up a couple of extra tables, sweep the floor, and unload the dishwasher. Families begin to arrive at about 6:30, when we share a potluck meal, fellowship and study in the Word.

After dinner Filly and Artist help me clean up the kitchen and Giggles gets ready for bed, while Soccer gets into the shower. Engineer and Compassion help put the tables away until next week. Each in turn, the children get ready for bed, we pray together, books are read and lights go out.

I’m just settling down with my Bible when Engineer comes in to say good night, it's 10:02 and he asks, “Mom, what would your answer be to someone who says that there is no proof for creationism. What was it about intermediate fossils in the fossil record that we studied last year?”

Inwardly I sigh, Engineer has just started public high school.

I’m thinking, “Really, when I am exhausted from all of the activity of the day, now he wants to talk?”

I remember, wistfully, how just a few years ago, when the children would go to bed by 8:30 p.m. and I could have some down time before going to bed myself. Now it seems that it is always this time of day when any one of my teenagers wants to talk about the things they’ve been processing all throughout the day. When I am exhausted from our day’s activities, they are ready to talk.

I hear that still small voice, “This is what I wanted you to do today,” so I set aside my own desire for sleep and we talk.

Then I ask, “So, why are you asking this?”

His reply is telling, “I have this friend who says he’s an atheist and…”

So we keep talking until he has an answer to his question and we pray, he kisses me goodnight and I finally slip into bed, only about half an hour later, and blessed sleep.


It’s five a.m. and I pray, “What do you have for me to do today, Lord.”
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
01/10/14
I’d love to have your input into the free writing lessons available on the FaithWriters forums. This week’s lesson is on writing devotionals, and next week will cover writing on topic for the weekly challenge. Look for it at http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=67, or if you’re on Facebook, you can “like” Faithwriters Writing Lessons.
C D Swanson 
01/10/14
Excellent job with this piece and the topic, which was not only spot on, but perfection in its delivery and content. I thought this was fabulous, and meaningful, and just enough to tweak the hearts of many.

God bless~
lynn gipson 
01/11/14
Oh wow, this is excellent. I loved the names you have for your loved ones. I enjoyed this story from start to finish. Made me smile. Blessings!
Jan Ackerson
01/11/14
I like the way your entry went full circle, beginning and ending with the same time in the morning, and the same sincere prayer.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
01/17/14
Congratulations on ranking 7th in your level! (The highest rankings can be found on the message boards.)