Moment of Silence | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Moment of Silence | Previous Challenge Entry
By Duwana Brennen
10/30/06
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Diane held her head against the chalkboard praying that God would get her out of the place she was coming to view as the Enemy's battleground. The veteran teacher agonized over how each night-every night except Friday and Saturday of course-felt like a hammer of reality; walking into that building meant fighting racial prejudice, disrespect for her and an extreme disrespect for God. Why was God keeping her there? During the moment of silence Diane prayed for the teens she served; she wanted them to know God, and she prayed for a better life for each of them. But instead of feeling a sense of relief, Diane spiraled deeper into depression over God's assignment-He was not releasing her and she wondered why. The sadness she felt was mixed with confusion and frustration; she didn't know whether to be angry with God, sad or content. So she talked with Him, pleading for some sign of His vision for her life in that particular school. “How can I pray for them Father; how can I help?'

With her head still on the chalkboard, Diane whispered what her heart wanted most-to be able to openly talk about God and somehow get the young people around her to want to know Him as she did. But how do you preach the gospel to kids in a place that erases any hint of Him? Diane wiped her tears when she heard the warning bell sound-the students would be streaming in within minutes. “God, just get me out of here!” Just as the tardy bell sounded, her usual troublemakers pushed their way through the door. On days like this, Diane felt shame over thoughts of wanting the troublemakers to be absent. Throughout the lesson, all but seven of the twenty-nine students were listening. Referrals, classroom management techniques, nor the threat of parental notification worked; she was desperate. “God, just get me out of here!” She thought to herself. Class after class held the same for her-although some classes were better than others. The end-of-the-day bell finally sounded; for the moment, her prayers were answered. Diane erased the board and turned to pack up for the day only to find one of her students still lingering.

“Can I help you?” Diane asked. Grace Best shook her head no and tried to hide the tears that were tracing her face. As Diane moved closer, her student poured out her thoughts. Grace began unraveling the pain regarding the chaos in her home: divorce, fighting, and the possibility of impending homelessness poured from the young girl's heart. Diane listened and responded with the hope that God would be there in Grace's darkest hour-even if the outcome didn't seem like God was exactly watching. Diane could see that her number one pupil understood immediately. “He always works things out doesn't He?” Grace said confidently. As Grace walked out the door, Diane thanked God for showing her how she could help and for showing her someone who was in need of prayer-someone hungry for a little more God and a little less sorrow. She stepped into the hall and watched as the students hustled for the buses; she watched over the sea of faces, wondering how many more hurting children God would send her way. What would tomorrow's moment of silence bring?

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.