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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Personal Peace (06/01/06)
Responding to the 5:20 a.m. alarm it didn’t take very long for the cobwebs to clear in remembering that this was the second Wednesday of the month. How I dreaded this day. The second Wednesday of the month included a torturous six hour roundtrip drudgery into the big city during peak rush hour traffic. In addition, adding insult to injury, the purpose of the trek was to attend a pointless staff meeting.

Walking out of the house at 6:15 sharp and plopping behind the wheel of the vehicle the key to the ignition was inserted and turned bringing the car to life. Letting out a heavy sigh the gear shift lever was pulled into reverse, backed out of the garage and then further thrust back into drive beginning the journey of a million miles.

As predicted, just 45 minutes into the trip, I found myself sandwiched between other commuters in the midst of a huge parking lot with four lanes. Bored with the radio the power switch was pressed off. Glaring back was the trip mileage indicator mocking me in green digital numbers that 44.6 miles of the 97 needed were driven. I groaned.

Bored with my own company I began to look at those around me. Staring back were expressionless faces that only registered frowns. The unnerving thought crossed my mind that we all look like robots responding to the sadistic commands of some madman manipulating us with a remote control programmed with three buttons. One button when pushed caused us to stare blankly, one button caused a frown and when the third button was depressed it combined both facial features.

Not pleased with looking at myself looking back at me I began to take in the countryside. There on rolling hills were power wind mills capturing ecological energy. Even they mocked me as they seemed to say with each rotation that their movement was more productive than mine. It added to my frustration. Lowering my gaze my eyes focused on grazing cattle. For a brief moment I envied their contented life style. Then from somewhere I heard, “My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills.”

Refusing to leave my self pity party I refocused my attention and caught the gentle swaying of the tall golden grass on the hills. I marveled at the gentle wind caressing and brushing their features. It seemed that the grass turned liquid and into a sea of flowing golden waters. It was so peaceful. Unexpectedly I sensed God’s love wash over me in this same fashion.

Renewed and revitalized my vision suddenly became 20/20. Everything looked different. The traffic jam was a blessing, my robot friends were now my brothers and the trip was a journey. Filled with a grateful heart I thanked God for the joy of this pilgrimage. Without even asking His Grace broke through my cynicism and replaced my turmoil with His Peace.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Helen Paynter
06/09/06
You picked me up and took me there - I was completely in that jam with you, looking at the windmills and the grass on the hills. Good job. Minor nitpick - you used the word 'bored' twice in close succession, and one or two sentences were a bit long. Otherwise, great.
Lori Othouse 
06/10/06
Good illustration of turning an real annoyance into a blessing. The transformation seemed a bit quick, but I liked how the character looked beyond the obvious and found what else was there.
Lynda Lee Schab 
06/11/06
Good premise for the topic of Peace. In todays world, we all need a good dose of peace during a traffic jam LOL.
Beacause you're in Masters, I will nit-pick and say there were a few grammatical errors and run-ons that I noticed, especially at the beginning. Also, there were a couple of word reiterations that stood out. PM me if you want me to explain.
But loved the message and the heart of your entry.