Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: MAIL (02/18/16)
-
TITLE: Breath Prayers | Previous Challenge Entry
By Terrie Ellington
02/25/16 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
“On three,” Mary says as she grins at Wanda. “One, two, three!” Both girls dive from the poolside, plunging into the clear water chilled by the cool of the morning. In their early twenties, they are avid swimmers, and hardly a ripple is made when their bodies break the water’s surface.
Mary and Wanda love to compete for bragging rights. Emerging from the water's depths with arms stroking swiftly and feet kicking vigorously, they glide side by side until Wanda, the stronger swimmer, pulls ahead.
Touching the end of the pool first, Wanda shouts breathlessly, “It’s in the bag. Better luck next time.”
Mary comes in shortly behind her, gasping for air. “That’s because I let you win.” Winded and laughing, they climb out and lay on rainbow colored poolside loungers to catch their breath.
“Thanks for inviting me over.” Mary says between breaths. “I love coming over for a swim and snacks afterwards.” Mary grabs a sandwich and takes a bite, as she watches Wanda bow her head and pray before eating.
“Can I ask you something personal?” Mary asks soberly.
“Sure.” Wanda answers. “What is it?”
“We’ve been friends for three years since our freshman year of college, and I’ve noticed something. Before eating, you always bow your head to pray whether you’re at home, at a restaurant, or even at the college campus cafeteria. Why do you do that? It makes me feel kind of weird to be seen with you.”
Surprised by her admission, Wanda responds matter of factly. “First of all, I’m not ashamed of God or the things I practice in my faith walk.”
Mary touches her gently on the shoulder. “Please don’t take offense. I’m just saying, I go to church too, but I don’t do church stuff at school or at restaurants. People think you’re weird, and I just don’t think it’s that serious.”
Wanda looks pointedly at her friend. “No offense taken. I do what I do because I want to get a message to God.”
Mary shrugs her shoulders. “So. What’s the big deal?”
Wanda pauses to gather her thoughts before speaking. She looks toward the street and sees a postman delivering mail. Suddenly, a thought comes to mind.
“Try looking at it this way. Imagine someone who is so good to you that they become the most important person in your life. You want them to know you love and appreciate them, but you’re not in the same place as they are. To get your message to them you send a letter in the mail.”
Mary is listening attentively as Wanda continues, “God is so important to me that I want to tell Him. So I send Him prayer messages that reach Him instantly in heaven. The messages we send via the postal service may take days to reach their destination, but prayer messages are even quicker than sending emails. I call my prayer messages Pmail for prayer mail.”
Mary laughs openly. “I love that. Pmail for prayer mail.”
Wanda smiles at her gaiety. “I call a really short Pmail a breath prayer. I send them to God all throughout the day, not just before I eat. It’s how I pray without ceasing.”
“Ah…” Mary mutters thoughtfully.
“Another awesome thing about Pmail is there’s no charge for delivery. Jesus paid it all, and I’m free to send breath prayers without limit twenty-four seven; holidays, weekends, rain, sleet, snow, or sunshine, at home, work, or play. That’s why I take it so seriously. That’s why I bow before every meal. That’s why I whisper breath prayers throughout the day praising God, thanking Him and worshiping Him.”
Mary nods her head in understanding. “I never thought about it like that. I should take my faith more seriously. I obviously need to work on my relationship with God. I’m ashamed to talk to Him in public.
“You really should, because it’s the most important relationship you’ll ever have,” Wanda says, getting up to grab a towel from a lounge table.
Mary follows suit. “Thanks, Wanda. That’s a great analogy.”
Wanda replies enthusiastically as they dry themselves. “It just goes to show that whether physically with letters, electronically with email, or spiritually with breath prayers, all our messages get to the desired destination.”
Wanda and Mary leave the pool area to go inside. Wanda looks up to the sky with a smile as she sends a quick Pmail, “Bless Your name God. Thank You for the opportunity to be a witness.”
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.
