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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Encouragement (among believers) (11/08/07)
Hey Tori,
It was good to see you from afar at church! It seems like we never get to talk anymore. I miss that. Things aren’t going so well right now. Guess I’m just down. Don’t want to drag you there with me so I’ll write again soon, hopefully when I’m a little cheerier.
Later friend,
Jennifer
_________________


Jennifer, I’m so glad you e-mailed! Sorry I didn’t get over to talk to you Sunday. Just when I thought I would get there Ernie caught me at the pass. I got talked into doing Children’s Church for a month. I don’t mind, really. I did mind not catching up with you, though.

What’s going on, girlfriend? You know you can share with me. We’ve been friends forever. How’re you feeling? Any better? Did you ever find out what’s going on? I’m praying for you, Jennifer. Remember that, okay?
Love you,
Tori
____________________


Hi Tori. Thanks for praying. No, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I see the doctor again next month. I’m losing energy by the second. I can’t keep up with my kids. My house is a total disaster. I hated having to drop out of my ministries at the church. Allen is grouchy. He’s very upset about the bills. He makes snide comments to me like, “Do you have any ideas how we can pay the bills this month?” He holds me personally responsible for quitting my job and plunging us into this financial mess. Sorry for exploding on you. I’ll go now. – Jennifer

____________________

Hey – explode away! It sometimes helps, really. Jennifer, you know why you quit your job. It was because you got SICK. You aren’t lazy. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Allen is just as scared and frustrated as you. I know, without a doubt, that he loves you. You guys will get through this.

I’m praying for you constantly, dear sister.
Tori

____________________


Tori, I’m scared. Mark asked me why I’m in bed so much. I told him, “Mommy’s sick, honey.” The poor kid’s face fell. It was time to take him to a birthday party and he was coming in to see if I was ready. I forgot all about it. He’s as angry with me as his dad is.

I can’t handle this. I don’t want to be in bed but I’m so dizzy. It’s hard to keep going. When I get up to do things I forget what it was I needed to do. My head feels like it’s going to explode. What’s wrong with me? Why would God allow me to get sick like this? Why doesn’t He just heal me? I don’t think I can go on. – Jennifer
_____________________

Jennifer, first of all, God loves you so much. He’ll get the doctor to figure it out very soon, of that, I’m sure. People go through hard things all the time. We aren’t immune because we’re Christian. We do have His comfort, though. Can you imagine going through this without God?

Keep on crying out to Him and stay in the Word. Don’t slip away from your faith. It’s possibly going to be the only thing that makes sense in your life. Read Philippians. It’s short and full of hope.

I’m praying for you. You can do this! I’m cheering you on!
Tori
_____________________


Dearest Tori, sorry I haven’t written in awhile. I miss being around friends. I’m so very lonely. All I do is cry. – Jennifer

______________________

Jennifer, I found a free day for some of us to come over and cheer you up. We’re coming while Allen’s at work on Thursday with cleaning supplies and groceries. You’ll feel tons better in a sparkling clean house. We’ll also get some meals ready for you so all you have to do is get them out of the freezer and bake.

We’re sisters in the Lord and we’ll do all we can to help you out. See you then! -- Tori

_____________________

Tori, tell the girls thanks! The savory smells wafting outside the house brought Allen in happily hungry. The kids promised to help keep the house clean. Allen even promised to come to church Sunday. Thanks to you, now when I close my eyes, I picture myself sitting in the palm of God’s hand, safe from the storms around me. You know what? Sometimes I’m sure I feel His breath on my cheek. Thanks for making God real to me and for the E-Cheers.
Love you much,
Jennifer
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This article has been read 1660 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Joanne Sher 
11/15/07
I could feel the authenticity in the pleas for help, and the raw emotion, as well as the encouragement. Thanks for reminding us that we don't need to "be there" to be an encouragement.
william price
11/17/07
E-mails seem to be a popular vehicle this week. Very nice job, creative and a blessing. God bless.
LauraLee Shaw
11/17/07
I love this, because it is so true to where I often find encouragement. Great job writing it!
Seema Bagai 
11/19/07
A great title and a wonderful story.
Deborah Engle 
11/19/07
Having a froend to whom you can open up to is wonderful. That she would respond to your need in such an encouraging way would be tremendous. Great story!
Patty Wysong
11/20/07
You really captured the emotions and we can all relate to keeping in touch with email! :-) Great job! Hugs!
Beth LaBuff 
11/20/07
I really enjoyed reading this! I so badly wanted for Jennifer to feel better. (but I realize that is not always reality). I liked what Tori did to help (especially the house-cleaning and meals). Good work on this well-written piece!
Dee Yoder
11/21/07
This resonates with me because of the health problems I've been slogging through. The FWs emails and prayers have done just what you describe in this entry: cheer, encouragement, and support. Wonderful example of encouragement.
Beckie Stewart
11/21/07
It is a blessing to have friends like this in your life that you can be honest and open with. Thank you for this reminder.
Pam Carlson-Hetland
11/21/07
Oh, this is so very creative and so very real to life. My prayer partners and I do this all the time! Thanks for the reminder that though people are stretched time-wise these days, we can still reach out and encourage those in need. Great job.
Sara Harricharan
11/21/07
So much emotion in here! What a great friendship between those too. I'm glad that her encouragment made a world of difference to Jennifer. Great job.
Betty Castleberry
11/21/07
Oh, this is so lovely. I like that you didn't say exactly what was wrong with your gal. The ending works really well in this piece. Nicely done.
LaNaye Perkins
11/21/07
I really like how you used the internet as a tool for encouragement here. This was wonderful!
Loren T. Lowery
11/22/07
E (encourgement) in the E mail modern age. Very creative and I liked the honest, human touch expressed by your characters.
Kristen Hester
11/22/07
It was very nice watching these two women communicate. I love email and encouraging friends (and being encouraged) that way, also. Good job. Very honest. Nice writing.