Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Where Angels Fear to Tread (not about the book) (09/08/11)
-
TITLE: A Holy Boldness | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Fowler
09/12/11 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Maggie slung her books over the seat, slid in beside her mom, and slammed the door.
“Oooh! She makes me so mad!” she yelled, shaking her fists towards the sky.
“Who?” asked her mom.
“Katie Redfern. She’s driving me crazy. I’m so tired of keeping my mouth shut and letting her win. I wish I could cut loose on her for five minutes, just this once.”
The events of the day ran like leopards on the open plains through her mind. How could she have been so naïve, and allowed Katie to take charge? She was the editor. Shouldn’t she have final say? Instead, it was Katie who called the shots.
“You should have seen her, mom. She just took over,” Maggie began again. “I took a breath and she jumped in with her fast talking, know-it-all attitude. She told everyone about the story. MY story. Now everyone knows the health inspectors are making daily visits, and threatening to close the cafeteria down. It’s not news anymore!”
“I just stood there shaking my head,” said Maggie “I couldn’t believe it. Angie said I had a deer in the headlights look on my face. She said I turned as white as a sheet. Katie opened her mouth and MY words came out. Word for word; just like I had written them. She must have hacked into my computer in the editorial room.”
“Honey, what you need is a holy boldness to lovingly put her in her place. Put feet on your prayers and exercise your faith!” said mom. “It’s time you took charge.”
Maggie swallowed back tears. Maybe mom’s right she thought. After all, this was not the first time Katie had usurped her. In fourth grade, it was butterflies. Mrs. Cunningham asked her to set the butterflies free after they emerged from their cocoons. Katie came into class early and “accidentally” opened the window and lifted the flap off the butterfly netting. The class cheered for Katie the butterfly freer.
In eighth grade, it was uniforms. As cheerleading captain, Maggie was given final say over sleeve length. After the meeting, Katie ran to Coach Palmer about the scar on her elbow from falling off her horse. She turned on the tears and pleaded for long sleeves, even though Maggie opted for shorter ones.
Katie had been a thorn in her side since grade school. Everywhere she turned, every decision made, every accolade won, Katie was there. Always faster. Always louder. Always prettier. Terrified of injuring her Christian witness or hurting Katie’s feelings, Maggie held her tongue and stewed inwardly. Never confronting. Always the peacemaker. Graciously turning the other cheek.
Before bed, Maggie prayed. It wasn’t her usual route; to pray for guidance before taking action. Most of the time she spouted off and begged forgiveness afterwards. But, this was different. This time she needed help keeping her emotions in check. She knew she couldn’t let the fear in her heart, overrule her head.
This was her career Katie was messing with. A lead story of this magnitude almost certainly meant a scholarship into journalism school. George Washington High had the most widely read paper in the entire state. Journalist want-to-be’s fought for a place on the staff, applying as much as two years in advance for a single newbie spot. Maggie was editor; a position she had fought for since sixth grade. She wasn’t about to let her nemesis steal the biggest story of the year away from her without a fight.
She entered the news room the next afternoon with a bold, new outlook. She stood, faced her peers, and took a deep breath to speak. Katie sprang to her feet.
“Hey, you guys. I want to tell you more about the health inspectors from yesterday,” Katie began.
“No Katie!” said Maggie forcefully. “This is MY story. I will handle it MY way. Please, sit down.”
Katie slumped back into her chair. Her chin dropped to her chest.
“That was awesome. What got into you? You took charge like a real editor in chief!” said Angie, after the meeting.
“Yeah! I guess I did,” said Maggie. “I was thinking about the Scripture I read last night in Ephesians:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
For some strange reason, suddenly I wasn’t afraid of Katie Wilson anymore.”
NKJV - Ephesians 6:12
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.
Remember to capitalize Mom when it's being used as a name.
Although I didn't really see the topic(but this has happened a few times this week and I wonder if I took the topic too literally) this was a well-written piece with great conflict and a wonderful message. The characters and dialog felt very realistic and it was easy to picture it all in my head.