The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: SPARKLE (08/19/21)
When I was a small child, I knew a young girl named Sparkle. The neighborhood boys often made fun of her name, but she just took it all in stride. When Dave asked why her parents gave her such a funny name, she replied “’Cause they knew I could take the teasing and still come out smiling!’’

Sparkle was quite intelligent and always made great grades. Some of the girls followed her home from school, yelling “Egghead! Look at the Egghead! I wonder if she comes out of her books long enough to have any fun.” Sparkle just laughed and said, “Guess you’ll never find out ‘cause you’ll never hear it from me!”

In high school, Sparkle had quite a few dates. Some of the guys appreciated her humor and enjoyed spending time with her. I often double dated with Sparkle since we were best friends. One of the guys, Don, took the time to get to know her. My boyfriend Doug was sensitive and said things like, “I think it’s great you have so many colleges to choose from. I have several options, too.”

All four of us went to different colleges and had a variety of subjects which we studied. Doug and I were both saved at the age of eleven. We dated each summer when we returned home for break. After college, we discussed churches and decided on one to visit for a while. We decided on a wedding day as well. “God has been good to us,” we often said to one another.

Sparkle and Don decided to date some more. Don said, “I want to get to know you better since we have not dated for years. Last time was the summer after high school graduation.”

Don did not want anything to do with God since Don’s mother died at an early age. “I just can’t trust someone who would do that to my Mom.” Don was confused since he had been taught God knew best.

Sparkle believed and was saved at thirteen. “I know I’m not as mature in God as you are, Holly,” Sparkle often said. She did not attend church on a regular basis. “Once each month or so is enough for me.”

Sparkle usually lived up to her name and was cheerful and friendly to everyone. She helped those who worked at her office to have an optimistic outlook on life. I worked with her for many years and I marveled at her consistent upbeat attitude. She often said, “There’s always something to be happy about. If it’s raining, the flowers will be more colorful and the grass will be greener. When it’s sunny, we can walk in the sun or go swimming. When it snows, we can build a snowman.”

One day many years after her marriage to Don, she got bad news from the doctor. She would have to go through months of chemotherapy to get rid of the cancer. Sparkle took the news with as much cheerfulness as she could muster. She did her best to look at the situation honestly but with a positive attitude. “This is just a bump in the road and soon everything will be just as it was before. God will not let me down.”

Sparkle started going to church more, and soon she was attending services two to four times a week. Many were surprised at this change, and wondered what was going on. She just said, “I want to show the Lord I am not attending church just to get well again, or doing it for ulterior motives. I want to be closer to Him and to love Him.”

Don was so surprised by the change that he started to attend as well. For a while he only attended once a week, but eventually he started coming more frequently. As he learned many new things in adult Sunday school, he realized God really did know best, and had taken his mom to end her suffering.

Sparkle began to respond well to the treatments. She trusted the Lord for Don’s salvation as well as for a favorable outcome for her health. God was still in control, after all.




• This story is loosely based on fact and the outcome is still unknown.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 327 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
08/28/21
Wow! So powerful, an excellent testimony to the LORD.

Well done. Thank you,

Blessings~
Sue Botte 
08/30/21
Very inspirational. The outcome can only be good. Thank you for sharing this. Keep writing.
Avigail David
08/31/21
A beautiful touching story. Sparkle's faith and life of trust in God is inspiring.

Thank you for sharing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/31/21
This is a sweet story. I smiled about her name. My main character is Wrigley Fieldings and I have a story about if her parents worried if people would pick on her name. Her name helped her become the person she is. You do a nice job developing the characters. The dialog could be a bit more authentic. I often urge people to listen to how different people speak and really study it and try to replicate it. The transitions are a bit sudden too, but you have a lot of good things too. The beginning pulls me in, the conflicts keep me invested, and you were on topic and had a clear message.
Laura Manley
09/01/21
What a unique way to use the challenge word of the week. I love that! I appreciated your introducing Sparkle and Don as well as you and your eventual mate; however, the transition from different subjects was a little distracting to me. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this inspirational piece. Blessings to you and "Sparkle!"
Amy Swift
09/01/21
I enjoy your positive outlook on life. Yes God is in control!
Philippa Geaney
09/01/21
Wonderful story. A Sparkle friend in life would be a great asset.
I don't know how God crafts us all, and orders our times, but I like that He does.