Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Present - Repents - Serpent (07/17/25)
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TITLE: The Cost of a Choice | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Meiners
07/20/25 -
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Her Father had gone out of His way to present her with something breathtaking—something only love could plant. An entire corner of the garden bloomed with her favorites: soft yellow roses wrapped in clouds of baby’s breath.
She smiled to herself just as her Father came and stood beside her. “Do you like your garden?” He asked.
“Oh yes. It is so beautiful,” Eve whispered as she tenderly looked at her Father.
“Just like you are, my daughter.” He smiled as He gave her a sweet hug, then left her to her thoughts.
“I wonder where Adam is?” She mused. “I would love to show him this lovely garden.
“Surrounded by velvety roses and the hum of bees, the bench offers a front-row seat to God’s floral masterpiece.” Eve quietly sits.
“Ahhhh,” signed Eve. “This is perfect.”
She closed her eyes in wonder. Was anything more beautiful than this?
“Well, hello there,” a new voice approached Eve.
“Who are you?” A mystified Eve asked.
“Now don’t look so stunned,” the voice said. “My name is Serpent and I’d like to be your friend.”
“Why?” Asked Eve.
“Why not,” countered Serpent. “I have something to offer you. Something to make you wise. You’d like to be wise, wouldn’t you Eve?” Serpent sneered.
“Oh yes. I would.”
“Hey, love! Adam greeted her with a smile. “Who’s this? I don’t think I’ve seen him around before.”
“Hi Adam. This is Serpent. He joined me in my beautiful garden. He says he has something to offer us to make us wise.”
“Really? Now what would that be?” Queried Adam.
“I’m so glad you’re both here. There is no place I enjoy more than a beautiful garden,” Serpent said with narrowed eyes.
“Yes, my Father gave this garden to me,” smiled Eve. “He knows how much I love roses and baby-breath. Isn’t it the most exquisite garden you have ever seen.”
“Exquisite indeed,” countered Serpent.
“We have this entire garden to enjoy and we can eat from all the fruit trees in the garden,” offered Eve.
“All except one,” tempted Serpent.
“Well… yes, that tree is off-limits. But honestly, we have more than enough. The garden is full of fruit—we don’t need that one.”
“Why not? Look at it—it’s perfect. Ripe, rich, tempting. Don’t you wonder what it tastes like?”
He narrowed his eyes. “One bite. What could possibly go wrong? It’s not like you’ll ruin the whole tree.”
“Hmmmm,” thought Eve. “It does look delicious. What do you think Adam?”
“I don’t know. Father said we shouldn’t.”
“Did your Father really say that?” the serpent cooed. “He’s only keeping you from becoming wise—just like Him.”
“Well,” Eve whispered, hesitant but drawn, “perhaps just one tiny bite…”
And so she bit.
The serpent curled in delight.
Eve tasted regret.
Adam felt the weight of the world settle on his soul.
Then came footsteps.
The Father approached.
And in that still moment, innocence stood exposed,
As all three stood—
Caught in the shadow of disobedience.
“What’s happening here?” The Father asked. “Eve, why are you holding that fruit… and why is there a bite missing?”
“It was just one tiny bite,” whimpered Eve. “Serpent tempted me.”
“Adam?”
“Eve made me eat. She convinced me it would be okay.” Bemoaned Adam.
Cursed are you Serpent.
Be gone.
Serpent slithered away but not before muttering, “Just you wait. I’ll be back.”
“Children,” the Father said, His voice gentle yet grieved, “You have disobeyed Me, and through your choice, sin has entered your hearts.”
A hush fell over the garden. The breeze, once playful, now stood still.
“You cannot remain in this place of perfect beauty.”
Tears welled in Eve’s eyes. Adam’s shoulders sank.
“But I will not leave you without covering,” the Father continued. “To clothe your nakedness, a sacrifice must be made. You must repent of your sin.”
His hand rested tenderly on the soft head of the lamb.
“This will cost the life of your precious lamb Eve—your innocent, trusting lamb. Blood must be shed… to cover what has been broken.”
And as the first sacrifice was made,
Grace was born,
In the shadow of justice.
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