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 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Chillax (04/03/14)
Charlie Chillax was sitting on her porch reading and enjoying the fresh breeze, as Reese Racearound sped up the driveway, leaving behind a cloud of dust and debris. Reese scurried from her car and gave Charlie a quick wave, “I would love to sit and chat awhile, but I have to rush the kids to lessons for guitar.” Charlie shared a smile with her neighbor and continued to push her swing as she enjoyed being surrounded by the sounds of spring.

The next day Charlie Chillax was sitting on her porch swing drinking a tall, cold glass of sweet tea, watching the bright flowers full of buzzing bees. Reese Racearound sped up her driveway, as if she was late once more. She hurried out of her car and gave Charlie a quick wave, “I would love to visit, but I must get to my yoga class. It starts at four!”

Wednesday rolled around and it was more of the same. Charlie Chillax was sitting on her porch swing, reading a book to her son, when Reese Racearound sped up the driveway as if she was about to come undone. She scrambled out of her car, not even having the time to share a wave or a greeting. Reese yelled as she rushed to her house, “Hurry kids! I’m running late for my meeting!” Piling into the car, without even a grin, they sped off, leaving only a cloud of dust behind once again.

And so it went with Charlie Chillax and Reese Racearound day after day and week after week. Until one rare day when Reese came to Charlie so they could speak.

Reese heard the laughter of Charlie’s daughters and the sound of swing chains clanking as she neared her neighbor’s home, not understanding what had brought her. Her weary steps led her to the porch that she envied, and she uttered what was on her mind without even thinking, “It must be nice to have all the time in the world to sit on this porch and do nothing but swing.”

Charlie Chillax saw exhaustion in her neighbor’s eyes and responded with truth rather than with many white lies, “My time is precious. I only have 24 hours in my day, I choose to spend them wisely so, that I can relax and give my very best away. There are many things to do and much work to be done, but it’s just as important to take a break and enjoy the sun. I give God my schedule several times a year, so he can direct my steps and make my path clear.”

Reese Racearound hung her head as she said, “That’s nice for you, but that just can’t be done. I don’t know how to function if I don’t constantly run.”

“My friend, life is too short to only run and race around every day, you just might miss the Son along the way!”
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.
This article has been read 630 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
04/12/14
Loved the ending!! Nicely done!

God bless~
Yvonne Blake 
04/15/14
This reads like a parable or short allegory. I like the repetition at the beginning. I like the hope of a change in Charlie's life.
Brenda Rice
04/17/14
I liked your characters. I could see Reese running with her tongue hanging out while Charlie sat serenely on the porch.

Good example for the topic and well done.
C D Swanson 
04/17/14
Congrats!

God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/18/14
Congratulations on ranking 5th in your level and 25 overall. The highest rankings can be found in the message boards.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/18/14
I love this. What a wonderful lesson. Even though you used the pronoun her with Charlie, I missed it at first and pictured Charlie as a guy. Because of the title I was expecting another woman to come in. The fault is entirely mine though. I mentioned it because the title shows that it was important to have two women. Perhaps if you had named her Charlene...someone once gave me that advice and the sex didn't matter in my story so I shrugged it off. If your title was different, I don't think it would have mattered to me either. I'm rambling about something that was my fault when I should be complimenting you on the excellent way you juxtaposed the two women. The topic was clearly evident throughout the whole story, yet still fresh and enjoyable to read. The message is the best, especially in today's world. Congrats again on a wonderful story!