Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Father (as in paternal parent, not God) (04/10/08)
-
TITLE: A Father--To Be Or Not To Be | Previous Challenge Entry
By Teresa Hollums
04/11/08 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
“And the cost is..?” came the question from the depths of the young man’s heart.
“It is the cost you want it to be,” came the very thoughtful answer into his mind.
“But I have no money—how can we adopt? We’ve spent every cent we have to try to have our own baby. My wife is exhausted from trying without any result. We are stretched to our limit and beyond. Now we need a different car. I need a small surgery. I’ve debt on my house and even one more year on my own used car payment.”
“And, the answer to the same question remains—it is the cost you want it to be.”
“How can it ever be the cost I want it to be—I want it to be no cost—just a normally born baby from my wife and I. There seems no logic in our inability to have our own child. I have examined everything we do, and I cannot see how we can ever afford at our preacher’s salary to put anymore money into trying to have our own child.”
“What about adopting?”
“What about adopting—what about adopting?” And the young man’s heartfelt cry came: “I would love to do that next—but where is the money—just where is the money?” The young man felt a tear come with his pleading for an answer.
“The cost is still of your own choosing—how you spend what you have. Haven’t I given you plenty?”
“Of course you have.”
“Then just look at where it is going already.”
“But I’ve already done that…”
“And….?”
“And what?”
“Again, I ask, where is your money already going?”
“It’s going for food, housing, clothing, and the essentials—of course,” and the young man’s exasperated answer showed even more frustration.
“Again, I ask—are you sure that there aren’t some choices of money that you could cut out to save just a little each month—like your cable television or eating out or cutting down on gifts for special occasions?”
And the young man hung his head. His downcast demeanor showed his acquiescence to his real problem—who’s first? Several minutes passed. A sigh of resignation came with his admitting of his own real problem. “Yes, I know, I am living a certain way that I feel very comfortable and enjoy.”
“Well, then, can you give that up for what you say you want very, very much? A child is much sacrifice for adults to really face. And the answer to the question still remains: It is the cost you want it to be.”
And the young man continued to examine his motives, his priorities, and his soul. And his decision is? No one but him can know.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.