Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BRAG (04/20/17)
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TITLE: Birth of a Beauty | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marlene Bonney
04/24/17 -
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Her tantalizing dew-dropped lips begged to be kissed as many prospective suitors, beguiled by her beauty, vied for her attention. It is no wonder Scarlett Bloomberg became proud from all the lavish attention. Her fans adored her, wrote poems about her, photographed her and designed portraits of her. Few could resist her many charms.
Scarlett’s presence was solicited for public events of any significance all over the world, her popularity only surpassed by her deceptive delicate loveliness. Unfortunately, she flaunted her popularity in front of her “coarse” cousins constantly; if not by flipping her tresses with a haughty toss of her head, then by an uplifted dimpled chin that disdained their ideas. Her skirts had more flounces, her adornments were brighter and flashier, her finery softer and more appealing and she let everyone know it:
“You know, Amber, you could take some lessons from me in your make-up and hair style,” Scarlett often suggested to her homely cousin.
“Grandma, your clothes are SO old-fashioned and out of style. You need to be more progressive—like me!”
“Why don’t you get contacts, Auntie? It could improve your appearance a little.”
A wicked stepmother in front of a mirror to be revered as “fairest of all,” Scarlett daily confirmed her superiority. In short, Scarlett was a snob with a capital “S”.
Mr. and Mrs. Rusty Bloomberg had tried their best to raise Scarlett with godly virtues and proper attitudes, but, like the prodigal daughter she was to become, Scarlett followed a different path that could eventually lead to death and destruction. Like a trapeze artist on a high-wire, she gracefully showcased herself as the darling of the masses. People worshiped the ground she walked on and awarded her special places of honor at their celebrations.
But even with all this, Scarlett was not happy or content. She was lonely in the midst of her popularity and pedestal-mounted life. Shunned by Cousin Amber, Auntie Violet, and even by Grandmother Lily over time, even her own siblings deserted her. She had mocked them and treated them with disdain for so long, they were disillusioned and unresponsive to any “too-little-to-late” overtures on her part.
However, like most mothers, Ruby Bloomberg still could see potential underneath Scarlett’s waywardness, like a hidden jewel under a rotting, buried treasure chest.
“Scarlett, honey, the only way you can have a friend is to be one yourself FIRST!”
“They don’t want to be friends, mother. They are jealous of me. They cannot get around the fact that I am prettier and better than they are.”
“Lettie, you know we have taught you that beauty is only skin-deep. What qualities do you have on the inside?”
Eventually tiring after an exhausting sitting session for a renowned painter, Scarlett began to examine her life. A private detective with a spyglass, she became obsessed with discovering uncharted territories of possibilities. Until, she prayed for God to forgive her arrogance and acknowledged His sacrifice of disclaiming His deity and splendor and honor to save her and everyone who would believe in Him.
Our main character, Scarlett Bloomberg, is actually a stunning single red rose created by God, portraying human characteristics we can relate to and learn from. God, in His great wisdom and mercy, rescued her from herself. But as a safeguard for future generations, her children would be born with thorns—to not only keep predators drawn to their heady scent from destroying them—but to remind them that joy and sorrow are shared experiences that balance our earthly world.
We see that even the best situations have their down-sides. Perfection is laced with imperfection. God uses the weak to confound the strong. And He creates beauty out of ugliness, turns joy into sorrow, and raises life out of death.
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