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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Postcards (08/29/05)
The day was a perfect setting for the occasion. There were gray, gloomy clouds and the rain was drizzling. People had gathered holding their umbrellas over their heads. Everything had happened so fast that I just couldn’t believe we were standing around the grave of my beloved brother Ethan. Never had I been closer to anyone. We were fraternal twins born just 3 minutes apart and now a freak accident had taken him from me. It was more than my mind could comprehend. This can’t be real! This must be a dream, I thought to myself. Then I heard the preacher say, “Amen.” People began placing flowers on the casket and I followed suit. Everyone slowly began to leave the graveside until I was the only one left standing there. I just stood there in the cold rain shivering. I wanted to die too. We are twins: Ellie and Ethan and we belong together. “I can’t make it without you Ethan,” I sobbed. I heard mother’s gentle voice behind me saying, “Ellie, we must leave now.” As I turned away from the grave, I heard another voice speak to me. It said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” I knew I had heard that before and it did offer a moment of comfort.

We piled into the car and headed over to my Aunt Christine’s who had planned a big meal for the family. The last thing I wanted to do was be with people. I wanted to go bury myself in my sorrow, but for now I couldn’t do that. As I glanced around the room, people were talking and some even laughing. Life was going on as if nothing had happened. To me life should have stopped! At one point I felt it so strong it took everything in me to not scream it out loud.

Finally it was time for everyone to leave. Mom and Dad drove my sister Lacy and I home. We entered the house and it seemed so quiet. I ran upstairs to my room and collapsed on my bed. The tears started to come and then I cried uncontrollably afraid I would never stop. I slowed a bit and was quietly sobbing when again I heard a voice say, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” “Where have I heard that before?” It was starting to bug me and then I remembered Julie. Julie was a Christian girl I knew in school. She was always trying to talk to me about Jesus. I was usually nice to her, but really never paid attention to what she said. One summer she attended a Christian camp and for some reason she had sent me a postcard. That’s it! That’s where I have heard this before. I knew it must be in my closet somewhere. I slipped out of bed and opened the closet door. I looked around for that special box I kept my important things in. I gently pulled it off the shelf and began to go through it. I had stored cards, letters, school papers, and postcards in this box. “It has to be here, I don’t think I threw it away.” “Yes, I finally found it." It was a pretty postcard. It had a beautiful picture of mountains on it and as I turned it over I read these words.

Dear Ellie,
I was thinking about you and wanted you to know that Jesus loves you and He will never leave you or forsake you.
Your Friend,
Julie

I could hardly believe it. I sat in my closet reading it and somehow I knew that Jesus was real and right here with me. I was not alone and I sat amazed at the thought that God knew 15 years ago I would need this word. How awesome that He would love me so much to plan ahead like this. Then I remembered how excited Ethan had been lately. He too had just become a Christian and was driving me crazy just like Julie once had, but now I understood. This God they talked about was real and I too wanted Him in my life. Right there in the quiet of my closet I gave Him my life and immediately a peace and a presence filled my heart. I crawled back in bed holding the postcard close to my heart and fell fast asleep.
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This article has been read 996 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Brandi Roberts
09/06/05
Amazing how God uses the little things to touch our hearts. Thanks for sharing!
Jan Ackerson
09/07/05
A sweet story of comfort and hope. Work on punctuation of dialog, and separating your paragraphs.
Phyllis Inniss 
09/08/05
I was so touched by your story. It held my interest throughout. Glad that you found that Amazing Grace.
Angela Saunders
09/11/05
thank you for a touching story--a perfect example of how we plant seeds every day of our life.
Deborah Porter 
09/21/05
Kelli, this was a very nice story and had a wonderful, uplifting ending. Some suggestions for tweaking it - break up your paragraphs a little more. Every time there's a change in the thought, direction or action, it's time to start a new paragraph. Also, with speech, make sure that you start a new paragraph every time someone new is speaking or thinking. It all helps to improve the flow for the reader. But be encouraged. It was a good entry and actually rated quite well with the Level 1 Judges. With love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)