The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: STEW (11/26/15)
Pastor Jack's question basket had become a mainstay in our church. For a year it had sat on a table in the vestibule, receiving question after question about things the congregation wanted taught. The basket, now full, had one question pulled from the box and read at the end of the each service to let everyone know what next week's message would be. In the year he had been doing the drawings, my one and only question had not been selected... until now.

“The question for next week is...” Pastor Jack said, as he reached deep into the basket, “Oh, my! This one will be good. The question is 'What is the difference, if any, between what James 1:17 calls a good gift and a perfect gift?'” The pastor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “You won't want to miss this one. Next week everyone in attendance will receive a good gift... and one of you will get a perfect gift.”

That week was mercilessly long. My question was going to be answered and I felt like an over-anxious child who couldn't wait. The next Sunday I was impressed with the number of visitors in the church. Word had gotten around about everyone getting a gift but I just wanted my answer.

The service seemed to drag on as mercilessly as had the week. Songs seemed slower, verses longer (and even included the fifth and sixth verses), and announcements took forever. Finally, though, Pastor Jack rose from his chair and approached the podium. He motioned to the ushers and they began to distribute papers to everyone. As each person looked at the paper they were given it became obvious that no one saw this as a good gift at all. Finally, I got my paper and looked at it. My heart sank. All I had been given was a recipe for Traditional Irish Stew. The congregation had all received the same disappointing stew recipe. The bewilderment on our faces must have been obvious. Pastor Jack look just as disappointed as the rest of us.

“You don't appreciate this good gift?” he asked. “You have in your hands all the instructions you need to gather ingredients, mix, season, cook and enjoy a meal that has always been one of my personal favorites. It is a truly good gift... all the information is there for you to use. That, though, is the catch about 'good' gifts. You have to do some work to make them complete. If you don't do the work you will never know how good my stew tastes.” He paused briefly to let his words either sink in or float away. For most of us, the words floated away. “God has given each of us good gifts to use. It may be a talent to write, sing, or teach. Everyone gifts but too often we don't use them. Just like the recipe, the gifts God gives are good. The real question is 'Are you using your good gifts?”

Pastor Jack certainly had my attention. I had wasted my talents for years, thinking myself inferior compared to others with the same talents. I was guilty of not even trying. Conviction hit... and stung.

“Now,” the pastor said, “One of you is receiving a perfect gift today. I don't know who wrote this question but if you are here would you be kind enough to step forward and receive your perfect gift?”

Suddenly embarrassed, I rose slowly to my feet and approached the pastor as he continued to preach.

“As I said, a good gift requires work to complete. In God's Word, the word 'perfect' means 'complete'. Like the gift God gave us on Calvary's Hill. Salvation is a perfect gift. There is nothing to be added, nothing to be done, nothing to be changed. It is complete. So, Susan,” He smiled at me. “I took the recipe for Traditional Irish Stew and did the work for you.” He pulled out a crockpot from behind the podium. “It doesn't compare to what Jesus gave us, but it is complete. All you have to do is enjoy the stew when you get home.”

He looked at the congregation with great compassion. “Don't take this good gift lightly. It is a challenge. Do the work. Prepare the stew. Then, if it is in your heart to do so, give it away. That is how you take your good gifts and make them perfect... you do it for others.”
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.
This article has been read 931 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
12/03/15
Wow! I love, love, love this story. What a brilliant idea. With your permission, I'd love to pass it along to my son who is studying to be a minister. It really makes sense and spoke to my heart.

I had some tiny red ink in the beginning, before your story totally held me captive. The first few lines felt a bit awkward to me. I might edit it like this: Each week, the pastor pulled one slip out of the basket and read it as a teaser for next week's message. Slowly, over the year he had emptied it, but now only one question remained--mine.
It's not perfect, but I switched it around, tightened it, and turned it from a passive line to an active one.

I feel silly giving you any color ink because this is such a profound message. I hope you will consider finding the right magazine and have it published. Especially as Christmas nears, it's so easy to get caught up in gifts, good, bad, and perfect. Your last line reminded me at just the right time what I need to do to give the perfect gift. Totally loved this. I believe it's at the top of my all-time favorites.
Bonnie Bowden 
12/03/15
I was at the edge of my seat waiting to see what the perfect gift was. This story is classic, and I also believe you should try to get it published. I am adding it to my favorites.
Holly Westefeld
12/05/15
You drew me along throughout the story. Its excellent message came through clearly, without overdoing it. Nicely done.
Amy Gaudette 
12/05/15
This message will be with me for a long time.
Brenda Rice
12/05/15
I agree with the remarks you've already received. Wonderful story telling. Great message. Thanks for sharing.
Noel Mitaxa 
12/07/15
Irish stew????
Then Irish stew in the name of the law!!!!
But seriously, very creative and insightful teaching flows through this story. Well done.
Loni Bowden-Horn 
12/07/15
Just like Irish Stew, this message will stick with me. Very profound message.
Linda Goergen
12/10/15
I also loved this story! So powerful in vision and message! One of my favorites! Surely this is a winner!
Holly Westefeld
12/10/15
Congratulations on this well-deserved EC. So glad to have had a couple of your excellent stories in the challenge this quarter, and hope for more in the year to come.
Bonnie Bowden 
12/10/15
Congratulations, Jack, on winning your well deserved EC award. I do enjoy a good bowl of Irish stew.
C D Swanson 
12/10/15
Excellent story!
Congrats on your well deserved win!

God bless~
Brenda Rice
12/10/15
Congrats on your EC. Well deserved.
Linda Goergen
12/10/15
Congratulations! I knew this was a winner and so well deserved!
Noel Mitaxa 
12/10/15
Congratulations on your win. Great work.
Sharon Eastman
12/11/15
A classic. I was entranced throughout. Congratulations on your well-deserved win.
Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
12/11/15
Please post your recipe for this tasty dish - and happiness for your terrific win!
Loni Bowden-Horn 
12/11/15
Congratulations Gerald. It was a certainly was a well deserved win.
Bea Edwards 
12/14/15
Well thought out and superbly written story which by the totality of its profound message seemed much longer.

Congratulations on your well deserved winning entry.