Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: EXPECTATION (01/28/21)
-
TITLE: The Best Preparation | Previous Challenge Entry
By Donna Powers
02/04/21 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
How blessed I am to see you! I will gladly share my experiences with you, my child.
Grandfather, please tell me what to expect on my coming journey. I wish to know all I can of the path ahead so I may best prepare myself for what I will find.
My child, I wish you an amazing experience, but I will not tell you what to expect.
Please, Grandfather, tell me what you can. Surely you have wisdom to bestow. I want to be prepared so I can make my journey with all the knowledge possible.
Let me explain, my child. When I set off on my own journey, many years ago I consulted my own Grandfather- just as you are doing now.
So, you can understand why I ask, Grandfather
Of course, I understand. I asked the same question you now ask. My grandfather told me many things I could expect and asked me to pledge my willingness to use his knowledge as I sought my fortune.
That is what I want to do, Grandfather
Patience, child. I will explain. As I set off on my journey, the sun beat down mercilessly on the trail as I walked. Grandfather had told me to expect this, so I was ready with a canteen, which I used to quench my thirst.
This is the kind of thing I need to know, Grandfather. It was good that your own Grandfather told you about needing the canteen. I will take one, too.
Please listen, child. The canteen was good. But as I walked further, I saw other youths who had been on the same path but had been led by God to a stream whose waters they described as especially sweet and refreshing.
Oh, I see. But surely this was a coincidence.
Perhaps. Let me go on. As the journey became steeper, my muscles became strained. I was again grateful to my Grandfather, who had told me to expect this and had suggested I bring a cane. Yet, a few yards away I saw other youths climbing a much easier slope. Later, they told me God had led them to this other path. I had missed seeing it; since I was so intent on looking for what I had expected.
I think I am beginning to see what you are saying, Grandfather.”
Yes, child. You are wise to discern the truth of I am telling you. I had been told what to expect for many of the challenges I faced on my journey. And as I encountered each of those challenges, they were just as my grandfather had described. So, I was prepared for them. But, just as there had been a sweeter stream and an easier path, which I might have found by God’s direction, there were countless other experiences I might have had if I had not been so well-prepared. I will never know how my life might have turned out; had I not been restrained by my expectations.
Grandfather, what are you saying? You are revered and respected in our tribe, and you and Grandmother have had a wonderful life and a large family. Surely, your preparations have given you a good life. Those expectations your grandfather gave you led you to the life you now have.
Yes, my child. I am content with my life, and I could have asked for no woman more perfect for me than your Grandmother. But I will never know what my life could have been; had I depended less on my expectations and more on my faith and trust in God.
I see, Grandfather. You have given me much to contemplate. But, do you have any words at all for me; as I set off on my journey,
Yes, my child. There are no better words to give you than those written in the proverbs of Solomon: “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding,”*
*Proverbs 3:5
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
