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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: CHALLENGE (08/17/17)
Treading water. That’s all it feels like I am managing to do.

The daylight pushes through the dark, angry clouds losing most of its luminosity in the process. The raging wind aggravating the ocean into a terrifying threat. Looming walls of moving water, curling peaks and the power of the mysterious deep torment me. Sometimes washing over me, causing me to tumble where I cannot breathe, I manage for the most part to keep my head above the water. I feel like I’ve been surviving this monstrosity for a decade. The pockets of gentler seas I’ve managed to come across from time to time seem nothing more than a lull in the storm.

I walk home, gushing my troubles to God in endless circles trying to find a way to do something more than just tread water. I climb the stairs to my room but feel like I’m sinking. The clouds are brimming and about to burst. My head is in a whipping gale.

“Father, I look at all the things I want to change in me and I’m just overwhelmed.”

The storm batters incessantly. Any glimpse of the horizon reveals more ocean is all that touches it. I am worn. My spirit is exhausted.

“I can’t do this anymore.”

I cease my panicked floundering and spread my limbs. The threatening rains subside as I lay on my back and float.

“I’m just not going to worry about any of them anymore and You can tell me what we are going to work on next when it’s time.”

I fall silent. The bite from the lashing wind fades like a barking dog returning to warning growls. My inertia begins to release my body’s tension.

Warmth touches me. A flickering ray of sunshine has pierced the clouds. I notice there is a smattering of blue peeking through. I lay gazing up for some time before I realise I’m being rocked more than tumbled.

I close my eyes and relax in His grace.
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This article has been read 368 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Lynda Schultz 
08/24/17
Where is the "like" button for this piece? Great way to remind all of us to "be still and know that [HE] is God" and that He does in us all that needs doing. We just need to "abide."
Windy Lanzl
08/24/17
Very good! I could totally relate. I loved the part where you compared the wind and a barking dog. Great word picture! :)
C D Swanson 
08/25/17
Excellent!

Blessings~
Bonnie Bowden 
08/26/17
You have a wonderful way of creating a setting, so that readers feel like they are right beside you.
Larry Whittington
08/26/17
There is a fast connection between God's word and the Holy Spirit which we are given at our baptism (See Acts 2:38) When we learn something new in God's word, whether Jesus said it or Paul wrote it, it now becomes the Holy Spirits turn to work within us to urge us to use the strength God gives us to either turn away from some evil or to turn towards some good that God wants developed in our lives.

Keep your chin up to look heavenward where your heart need to be but your eyes down to look into his word.
Matthew Renkema 
08/27/17
Wonderfully descriptive word pictures, your heart just seemed to flow onto the page. One criticism: I know it was about the person pouring out their heart to God through tribulation, but it didn't seem to tell a story. There were no other characters.
Judy Ewald
08/31/17
Congrats on First Place you deserve it. wonderfully written and as others said we were with you and I felt like I have been there myself. Letting it all go and letting the Lord have control is the answer. Well Done
Bonnie Bowden 
08/31/17
Congratulations on your 2nd place finish in the Intermediate category, Kelly.
I look to reading more of your writing.
Loni Bowden-Horn 
09/01/17
Kelly,

Congratulations on your 1st place in the Intermediate division Welcome to the Advanced division.

You've painted vivid pictures in my mind if the beauty in the word.