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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: HONOR (04/28/22)
The chrysanthemums were blooming and the Japanese dogwoods colored the area. Leaves pushed through their buds to a sunny day in April. The blue sky and slight breeze enticed me to roll down the top to my convertible and go for a drive. I weaved through various neighborhoods and noticed a number of garage sales. People discarding items that lost their usefulness years ago. Most of the items will find a new owner others, the bottom of a trash can. I often wondered why people held on to things for so long?

I pulled into the parking lot of a local coffee shop. Entering the shop, I saw Jim, an acquaintance. I crouched behind the cookie rack hoping he didn’t see me. Our last encounter lasted about thirty minutes. He tried to convert me into following Jesus. He told me he surrendered his life to Jesus and his life was improving. I told him my life was just fine and I was capable of handling anything that came my own. I grew up believing if you needed to ask someone for help you were weak. You were less than.

The only way out of the shop was past Jim. I decided to sit at a table in the back of the shop out of sight. It wasn’t good enough. I sensed someone approaching the table. Looking up it was Jim. “I haven’t seen you in awhile Mike. How are you doing?”

“Pretty good.”

“Do you mind if I sit?”

I nodded toward an empty chair. How am I going to get out of this? He didn’t talk about Jesus. We talked baseball and how we thought our home town team the Phillies would do this year? We talked and even had a second cup of coffee. Jim had to leave but he invited me to his church the next day. Before I knew it, I agreed to meet him there.

I sat with Jim and some of his friends. The message was on pride and I found myself squirming in my seat. Being afraid to ask for help was not a strong point. There were many times I wanted to ask questions but feared asking because of what people would think of me. I realized at that moment it was false pride. One of the verses that the pastor quoted was Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. NKJV I was beginning to see my pride was holding me back from a relationship with others and God. Jim was right all along. I joined Jim and his friends for lunch after the service.

The next few months I attended church with Jim and joined his bible study. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and was baptized. For many years, I believed one of the highest honors one could earn is Olympic Champion. I have an honor from the Creator of the universe a “Child of God.” Our God died on the cross so we could have an intimate personal relationship with Him. God knew us from before we were formed and loved us. He forgives us of our sins we committed and will commit.

The Lord desires us to depend on Him. 1Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxieties on Him (Christ) because He cares. Revealing our cares to the Lord, we are showing we trust Him to listen to us, and walk through our troubles with us. We honor Him when we trust and obey Him.

Surrendering all to Jesus is not easy. One day I may surrender my insecurity and the next day or even minute take it back. Proverbs 4:23 has helped “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” What I learned is keeping Jesus foremost on my mind and God’s word on my lips my day runs smooth. When I allow pride to rule, chaos shows up.

I want to glorify and honor God with every thought, word and deed. He has honored me accepting me into His family. He has bestowed upon me the ultimate title “Child of God.” The way for me to return that honor is by living like His Son Jesus.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 308 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Anne Warden 
05/05/22
I love your title. Just think, since God is our King, then we are "princes" and "princesses." Since God is our King, we also hold the responsibility of being worthy "ambassadors" for Him.
But to be His "child" is more intimate. What an honor to sit on God's lap and be cradled in His tender lovingkindness!
I hope this places well.
Dale Buchanan 
05/05/22
What a marvelous testimony of how you came to know Christ as Savior. You kept me interested through the entire article because I wanted to find out how it all turned out. I wonder how many refuse to turn to the Lord because of pride.

I appreciated your candor in the paragraph "Surrendering all to Jesus is not easy."

It is a wonderful honor, gift, and privilege to be called a child of God.

Thank you for writing this.
Marlene MCPherson
05/08/22
A wonderful piece. I rejoice with you and I agree with you. We are honored as children of the most high God.
C D Swanson 
05/09/22
Amen! Beautifully written and delivered. On topic and heartwarming.

Thanks for this lovely entry.

God Bless~
Anne Warden 
05/12/22
I was surprised to see only one submission placed in your level. As far as I'm concerned, you placed - and placed well - for this delightful and honoring submission.