Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: CALL (01/14/16)
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TITLE: God's Calling | Previous Challenge Entry
By LeslieJean Anderson
01/20/16 -
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Now he wanted to have a long serious talk? This did not sound good. I put down my coffee and looked at him across the breakfast table.
“Are you missing the excitement of going to work every day?”
“No, not exactly.”
“I noticed how restless you’ve been the past month, dear. I know you have been up at night, too. Do you feel ok?”
“Yes, I feel fine. Better than ever.”
Suddenly worried, I remembered that I had not put on lipstick that morning. “Just a moment, Darling. Let me freshen up if we are going to have a long talk.”
Moving into the bedroom, I got a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and frowned. I changed into another outfit and added some quick makeup, while a lump of anxiety formed in my stomach.
I had heard about men reaching retirement and reevaluating their lives, including their wives. Sometimes it didn't end well for the wives. I thought about the people who had attended our retirement party, including some women who had been students, coworkers or clients. All younger and attractive, of course.
I returned to the kitchen just as he was pouring another cup of coffee. Smiling sweetly, I said, “I’m all yours, dear.”
He refilled my coffee cup and motioned me out to the living room, where we sat on opposite sides of the sofa.
“I’ve been thinking about us, Wanda…”
“Who is she?” I blurted out.
“What?” He stared at me.
There must be somebody else,” I sputtered.
“Well, there is, but it’s not a woman.”
“What?” My mouth dropped.
“At least I don’t think he’s a woman.”
“WHAT?” Now thoroughly alarmed, I stood up and glared at my husband.
“Are you insane Hank? Has a month of retirement driven you out of your ever-lovin’ mind?”
To my surprise, Hank smiled and then laughed out loud. “Wanda, do you know how adorable you are when you're confused?”
“Well, set me straight, O Wise One, and make it snappy before I call a shrink and a lawyer!”
“I will, if you’ll just sit down long enough for me to tell you.”
I complied with his request, and took a sip of coffee to steady my nerves.
“Wanda, when we were first dating you knew I had applied to a school of theology and was waiting for a letter of acceptance.”
“Yes, but you told me that the letter never arrived.”
“That was true. They never sent me a letter. They called me instead with a conditional acceptance and an invitation to enroll at a later date after I had taken a few more courses.”
I stared blankly at my husband of thirty years and the father of my four adult children.
“You haven’t mentioned that theology school for over thirty years, Hank.”
“You’re right, Sweetheart, because after I met you, all my goals changed.”
“And now?”
“Well, now I have you in my life, thank God. I also have our children and our retirement, thanks to you. And a new letter of acceptance to the program. They waived the courses in lieu of my thirty years of work experience.”
I stood up again, and gazed at my husband in amazement.
“Why?”
“Wanda, I received a call to preach the word of God when I was thirteen years old. It never left me. God let me have the other desires of my heart, but He has not released me from that calling. The time has come…”
“You want me to become a preacher’s wife? Now? In my old age?”
Hank smiled again and said, “Now Wanda, you know that sixty is the new forty. We have a good twenty-five or so productive years ahead of us!”
I plopped back down on the sofa with my arms crossed. Hank moved closer and put his arm around me.
“You have always loved the Lord, Wanda, and taught His word to our children. What a wonderful example we can be for them now. Faith in action! This is something we can do. My call can become our call.”
“This idea of yours still needs a lot of prayer, Hank.”
Taking both my hands in his, he said gently, “Let’s start those prayers right now. Together.”
749 Words. Inspired by true events.
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God bless~
God Bless~
I was struck by the reminder of how God keeps moving us ever closer to our calling.
In your MC's case, it seems his calling was put off for other noble causes. In my own life, there has been a bit of rebellion, but I continue to move forward and am finally desiring to leap into my calling as God reveals it to me more clearly.