Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: DISGUISE (08/12/21)
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TITLE: Blessed Forcefield | Previous Challenge Entry
By Donna Martelli
08/18/21 -
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Barbara answered, “Blessed!”
Moving down the hall, I hear Joan ask Margie, “How are you, Margie?”
Margie, “I’m blessed, you?”
Joan, “Yes, blessed!”
I am so tired of hearing this! It is great to be blessed for sure, but I think this is a cop-out, like “fine.” When you ask about someone and they say they are blessed, what more is there to be said? It is the end of the conversation, and that person means, “leave me alone I do not want to talk to you.” Why the façade? What are they trying to hide?
If they are so blessed, they do not need me, or maybe anyone. Or, again, perhaps they can pick and choose with whom they want to talk. I decided to do a little experiment. When Janet passed me in the hall at church, I asked, “Hey, Janet, how are you doing these days.”
She gleefully responded, “I am blessed and highly favored!”
“What do you mean you are ‘blessed and highly favored?’”
“Everything is just great. I got the job I have been praying for! What about you?”
“Well, I feel left out because everyone is so blessed. What do you guys mean when you say you are blessed?”
Janet seemed a little squirmy, “Well, it means everything in our lives is going just as we wanted.”
“Humm…” I couldn’t resist, “so you are living the ‘Christian Good Life?’ With everything going right in your lives, you are blessed. How did you get to be so blessed?”
“I have worked hard for this position, and my hard work has yielded these blessings.”
I hoped Janet was listening to herself. She felt self-sufficient and proud, even self-righteous. Could she possibly be boasting while trying to sound humble?
Jesus told us what it is to be blessed, and it is a far cry from the self-righteous accomplishments and acquisitions of today.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit; blessed are those who mourn, blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:3–4, 10–11)
“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28)
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven.” (Romans 4:7 quoting Psalm 32:1)
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial.” (James 1:12)
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on, blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Revelation 14:13, 19:9)
(All scriptures are from the ESV.)
Oh, how different! May we seek the Lord with our whole hearts and let go of the temporal. So now. I ask you, “How are you?”
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Thank you for writing this challenge piece. Blessings to you! :-)
Indeed, this epitomizes 'the challenge-ness of the topic'. Are you being judgmental about a response to a greeting? The response may be motivated by the modern tendency, especially, for the younger generation, to maintain that fashionable 'POSITIVE ATTITUDE'. The article is quite creative but debatable.
Thanks for the honest heartfelt opinions expressed.