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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Agreement/Disagreement (01/19/12)
Chaos reigns in my home. There is homework, laundry, and dirty dishes in never-ending quantities. “Mom!” is hollered from every corner of the house as I am called upon to find Legos, untangle doll hair, sign a teacher’s note, and decipher a math problem. This is my world, where the work is mundane.

In my secret mind I am in Nepal, caring for trafficked children and bringing the gospel to the dark corners of the Himalayas. I hike through the streets of Kathmandu, clasping my hands and greeting the elderly with “Namaste.” I cry for their poverty and delight in their resourcefulness. In my dream world, the work is important.

To the Enemy I am a failure, an impatient mother of four who prefers escaping into a British novel to playing Monopoly with the children. The house suffers from poor time management skills, and rings with the shouts of frayed nerves. To his delight, I often prefer my own meager reserves to the limitless joy and kindness the Spirit offers. In his world, I am ashamed.

To the Lord, I am a child: beloved, treasured, and accepted. I am worth the effort and the death, a daughter of great price. I am an integral part of his plan for the redemption of the lost. His world is my true home.

The turmoil increases late in the afternoon, when Daddy calls and says a meeting will keep him late. As we enter the five o’clock ‘witching hour,’ the children's bickering intensifies. I feel empty as I stand in the wreckage of a ruined day. A choice lies before me, one that will chart the course for our evening:

Am I the war-torn missionary of my dreams?

Am I the shameful failure of the Enemy?

Am I the Beloved of the Father?

I know who’s right, and in a rare quiet moment while cooking supper, I agree with the Lord.

I am his creation, acting in obedience to the life he has chosen for me. A rush of peace overwhelms me as I join what God is doing here and now.

Yes, I am made for this messy life. I embrace it.

As the Spirit and I agree I am filled with his bounty of gifts, and they overflow to my children. Peace and joy rule this evening in my disheveled, God-given existence.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Allison Egley 
01/29/12
Ah, yes. It's all to common that we are persuaded that the enemy's words might be true. Glad the MC saw through it, though! Nice job.
Helen Carr
01/29/12
This is so much my life. Thank you for showing me that I'm not alone, that I am not a bad mother for not playing Monopoly, and mostly for encouraging me to speak out and pay heed to the Lord's words, not those of the enemy. I really needed to read that at the moment. Thanks, and well done.
C D Swanson 
02/02/12
Congrats on your HR entry! God Bless~
Michael Throne
02/02/12
This is great! I love the start, that third option of the MC's ideal life as a missionary. It feels real and gives the MC depth, gives us a look into the MC's heart. I enjoyed this.
Jody Day 
02/02/12
Congratulations! I loved this piece.