Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: In and Out (04/30/09)
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TITLE: What's the Reason? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kayla Holenski
05/04/09 -
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The first time I saw her I couldn’t help but notice how homely she was. Stringy black hair, an acne scarred complexion, and an abnormally wide face. She introduced herself as Carol, and flashed a shy nervous smile at me. She was my new co-worker and my job was to train her. I cringed inwardly, was this the best they could come up with?
Fast forward 6 months. Carol had proven to be an exceptional worker and in an ironic twist of fate she was now my supervisor. She was one of the most exceptional people I have ever met. Always cheerful, caring and positive. Never judgmental, never a bad word to say about anyone. I came to admire and respect her, despite her homely appearance she was a rare beauty.
Those 6 months had been hard for me, I was going through difficult situations in my life, and I began to question if God even existed. Yet every time that question surfaced Carol’s image popped into my mind. She was living proof of his existence, because every time I saw her joyful smile I saw a little piece of God in her.
Sadly 6 months later I changed jobs and never did see Carol again. There is no doubt in my mind that this lovely Christian lady was a “season.” She was God’s reminder to me during a difficult season in my life.
My life didn’t get better from there, my Mother was diagnosed with cancer and eventually passed away. Devastated, I threw myself into my work, working as much and long as possible.
Karla was just a person that composed the wallpaper of my life. She was always there, and I knew her name, but never had real conversations with her. One day I heard that her father had passed away, so the next time I met Karla I offered my condolences and hugged her. She began to weep, in fact she cried for two hours. She told me stories about her childhood, playing with her father, how he taught her to ride a bike, and taught her to live.
As I was driving home that day I realised that I had never allowed myself to grieve the way Karla was grieving. So for the first time ever I went to the cemetery. I yelled at that cold stone, asked God ‘why?’ cried until I had a headache, and gradually began to heal.
The next day I went to work and switched my hours to half time. For two weeks I cried myself to sleep, I went through old photos and two boxes of tissue.
However an amazing change happened in my life. I found myself smiling again, actually being happy! Karla was a “reason” God sent her into my life at that particular time, to show me my need to grieve, and to show me how.
Then there is the special lady who is my “lifetime.” She watched over me as a baby, played with me as a child, cried with me when my life fell apart, and celebrated with me when it came back together. She’s always there for me, willing to listen, always patient, always kind and generous. I am blessed and honoured to be related to this wonderful woman who is my aunt. She is a “lifetime” for me. I’ve asked God if he would put her mansion next to mine in heaven because one lifetime simply won’t be enough to spend with someone this special.
It’s not our job to try and categorize every person we meet as a “reason” “season” or “lifetime.” But we should put some effort into trying to find out what the purpose in each new encounter is. People do no pop in and out of our lives without reason, God places them there and removes them strategically.
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