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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: SOCIAL (04/07/16)
“Nah, I don’t think so, but thanks for the invite Kate.”

“You sure?”

“Yep.”

“Okay, if you change your mind, you know where we’re at.”

“Yep, but don’t count on me showing up. Bye.”

I smiled as I placed my cellphone onto the kitchen table. The tea kettle began whistling, a welcome sound to my ears. I’d just arrived home from work, and my body was still shivering. The calming effects of my favorite brew, helped in the process of de-stressing.

Another week come and gone. Hallelujah! Friday is finally here! Kate, is like clockwork, she's always the first to call with some social event. I still didn't get how some people could have such robust energy to party.

The phone rang again, this time it was Lucy.

“Can we count on you to come join the party? We need someone other than the usual attorneys, and journalists, at this gathering. It would be refreshing to hear a conservative point of view, rather than the liberal debates that drone on incessantly. Come on! Won’t you please come this time?”

Lucy’s voice went into a high pitch tone when she was desperate. I firmly believe, the animals within a ten-mile radius of her home are affected by it. I laughed inwardly.

“Not a chance sister. Sorry, you’ll have to muddle through the masses without me, again. I’ve better things to do with my time, especially after a long week. And you already know this, so I'll spare you the long version,and for the sake of brevity, thanks, but no thanks.”

“One of these days you’ll say yes…”

“And one of these days I’ll be a millionaire!”

There were an additional twelve calls, all asking me the same thing, “Please join our party, gathering, social, or event,” depending on the person. The bottom line…I wasn’t interested in attending any.

The tension, from a long work week, began to leave me as I eased into my comfy pants and oversized sweatshirt. The steaming Chamomile was waiting for me in the delicate china tea cup. I grabbed my peanut butter and jelly sandwich and walked into my reading room.

Sitting by the fireplace, I became mesmerized by the dancing flames as I sunk into my cushy Barclay rocking chair. The flames created a beautiful glow making the room so warm, and inviting. The evening was perfect. Well---almost.

I’m happy, and blessed my friends care about me, and always include and invite me to their gatherings. But, they really ought to know me by now. Friday is our time and no one can take me away from our long-standing appointment.

I picked up my red worn Bible and kissed it, this is what I call a social, you and me God.

Now...the evening is perfect.

Father, where did we leave off?
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This article has been read 814 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Bill Price
04/15/16
Now that was a sweet story. I was a little confused at first, but then it settled into a nice pace and I started to identify with the MC by stories end. Sometimes I just feel like staying home too and read the Word. I don't know if you needed to use the word social towards the end as you set up the contrasts nicely between your friends Friday night social life and yours. But it didn't hurt it any to use it. Very nice read. I enjoyed it.
Ellen Carr 
04/15/16
I enjoyed this story and was surprised by the ending because I thought the MC just wanted time to her/himself. The social aspect of spending time with God was a different take on the topic and a good one. If I apply any red ink it would be to reduce the number of social invitation calls a little. 12 seemed a little over the top. (Others may disagree.) Well written.
PamFord Davis 
04/15/16
So many reasons that I love this article and identify with the MC.I don't like to mingle and love my hot tea! Learning that she set aside her evening for intimacy with her LORD was a splendid surprise.

Wing His Words
Dannie Hawley 
04/16/16
The ending surprised me. I thought your MC just wanted some tranquil time alone with a good book after a hard week at work. Well, I guess the MC did want time with the Good Book and its author. You told the story well. I even wanted a cup of tea when I finished--amazing since I'm really more of a coffee drinker. Thanks for a terrific conclusion.
Joe Moreland
04/16/16
This was great. I love it when something surprises me. Like others I thought your MC was just an introvert who needed alone time at the end of the week. As an introvert myself, I could really sympathize, but I also found her a little uncompromising as I would've given in, at least every once-in-while, to their requests. But you made it clear that your MC would never give in and that made me wonder if she was more anti-social than introverted. After your ending, when I re-read it, it now appears to me that the friends know that Friday night is time with God and they are deliberately trying to tempt the MC away from it.

Now the MC is seen in a totally different light to me. There are few writers who can completely change your perspective with the last few line of a piece, and it's just brilliant when it works.

Great job!
Lisa Enqvist 
04/21/16
Thanks for this reminder. So many needs and expectations from others tend to crowd out the most important part of life:"Be still and know that I am God."
Dannie Hawley 
04/21/16
I'm jumping up and down--too full of joy to simply do a happy dance, you know! Congrats and have a scoop of triple chocolate fudge to celebrate your success with this piece.
AnnMarie Givans
04/21/16
Congratulation CD on your EC award.
I love the story, especially the ending. It made me smile. It was endearing to see someone set time apart for God and didn't allow anything or anyone to infringed on it. Good for you.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/21/16
This is lovely. I had such a deep connection with your character. Such a sweet, thoughtful, and such immensely loved person. I can't help but wonder if this is autobiographical. You did great! Congratulations! Happy Dance!
Bonnie Bowden 
04/21/16
Congratulations, C.D., on you well deserved EC award. I enjoyed the unexpected ending. It was a good reminder to establish time to spend with God.

Thank you for all you comments and kind words.
Ellen Carr 
04/22/16
Congratulations on your EC place. Your story deserved it. Great writing!
Danielle King 
04/22/16
Congratulations Camille. Such a sweet story with a surprise ending. Loved it!
Bea Edwards 
05/10/16
Friday night date night with our Lord. Why didn't I think of that?
Lovely entry, thanks CD and congrats!