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Topic: START (02/25/16)
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TITLE: What's It All About? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dot Hannah
03/02/16 -
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March 1, 2016
Looking out the glass door, she was uninterested in the day in spite of the pleasant warmth of the bright, beautiful sunshine. She felt like she was rotting from the inside out, excessive pain showing in her heavy eyes. It was evident that her strength was exhausted, and she was too tired to care. She was perfectly healthy and blessed, and there was no reason for her troubled mind. Feeling like she had been stabbed in the heart, shoulders sagging, she knew she had to pull herself together. A friend had called and asked her to watch her child for a few hours, and although she had agreed, she honestly did not know if she could muster up enough energy.
By the time her friend and little, three year old girl arrived, she had showered, and her fragrance was as sweet as the withered roses outside her door. Looking tired she tried to cover up her hopelessness with a weak smile and upbeat chatter. Upon their entrance, she instantly noticed the small girl with dark curls and enormous brown eyes, impressed by her radiance. She also noticed the child’s pink crutches and how well she moved about with them. She had spina bifida, but was no shrinking violet, totally outgoing, more like a bursting rose. Her friend introduced her beautiful daughter, Angelique and left afterwards.
She had no prior experience with a handicapped child but was fascinated with her. Angelique did not have a poor view of life. She was excited and lived in the moment, every one of them. When faced with a difficulty, she pressed on full speed ahead and figured out a way to accomplish the task at hand. They quickly became friends. The woman could not know that before the end of the day, she would discover that purpose is all in your perspective, and she would be challenged to change hers.
Angelique was smart and talked non-stop, curious about everything. “Why are you keeping me today? Where did my mommy go? Why don’t you have a little girl? Why do you live here? When is my Mommy coming back?” She thought she better take her outside and get her mind on other things. Angelique enjoyed walking around in the clean, fresh air and playing in the rocks. She enjoyed everything, and the two laughed a lot. She was overwhelmed with the sky, the grass, birds, everything the woman had failed to notice in quite some time. These are the best times, the times when you stand and simply look, listen and feel. She began to ask herself, “When had life become so drab for her?” God was still God, and His mercies were new every morning. Why had she chosen not to look for them? When had she lost herself? When had the dancing stopped?
Later after lunch, the remains of a chicken leg in front of her, Angelique sipped her milk and sang songs to her she had learned at Special Kids, the school she attended several days a week. The woman knew she had received a gift from God that day through a little treasure named Angelique. Her loving God knew exactly what she needed to jolt her perspective and outlook on life, and He had provided comfort for her mind and spirit. Never had she felt so close to Jesus as she had that day with Angelique.
At the end of the day she decided to pursue a fresh start, have a long talk with God and allow him to work it all out. She was a bit astounded when He pointed out to her that she had been consumed in self pity. She had to acknowledge that being in a right relationship with God had not been her top priority and a raging attack of her mind had been the result. If a handicapped child had such bubbling enthusiasm for life, what could she possibly have to complain about? She determined to gain appreciation for the sheer beauty and miracle of being alive by starting everyday renewing her mind in God’s Word. She also knew she wanted to get involved in the lives of children who were handicapped. There are many wonderful opportunities to become a volunteer and mentor children with special needs. What’s it all about, giving to others.
“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” (Ephesians 4:23) KJV
“He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” (II Corinthians 9:6) KJV
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Well done.