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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Shopping (03/01/07)
Molly was tired, bone tired, but the shopping was done. Feeding a family of three on her husband's declining take home pay was a challenge that was overwhelming her. She shuttered at the thought that once again she would have to confront her twelve year old daughter, Allison, and confess that there were no extras in this weeks purchase of groceries. Snacks had become a luxury.

Barry's job at the mill was no longer secure as the business was under the threat of foreclosure. So far Barry was still working, but he only brought home a fraction of the salary that he once earned. Both he and Molly had spent countless hours before the Lord praying for direction and patience.

Allison bolted into the kitchen as Molly was emptying the few bags of groceries and eagerly asked, "Momma, did you buy the potato chips?"

She answered her daughter hesitantly as she pulled out a small roasting chicken from the grocery bag knowing that it would have to suffice for their Thanksgiving dinner that week.

"I'm sorry but I could barely scrounge up enough food money to buy Thanksgiving dinner and so I had to forego any extras."

Allison stamped out of the room, grumbling out loud, making sure that her harsh words landed on her mother who worked so hard at teaching her young daughter the love of the Lord. She swung her head back and blurted out, "I'm sick of this, Momma. None of my friends have to go without potato chips and all the other things we can't buy. When is Dad going to get a real job?"

Just as Molly was ready to answer, the ring of the phone interrupted her words. She lifted the receiver and heard Pastor Rogers voice on the other end. "Hi, Molly", he said cheerfully. "I have a favor to ask of you. Remember that new family who came to church recently?"

Molly quickly recalled the image of that lovely family, two parents and three little ones. "Yes, Pastor, I do."

"Well, they've had a small fire in the kitchen of their home and everything in the cupboards and refrigerator had to be discarded due to smoke damage. So I've taken the liberty to call all the women in the church auxiliary to see if they would put together enough food items so that the family could replace what they've lost. If you could help, Molly, I"d be so appreciative."

She answered in the affirmative and as she turned off the phone she sank down onto a kitchen chair and started to cry. "Oh, Lord, how am I going to explain this to Barry and Allison when we'll be left with so little for ourselves?"

Before she could continue her prayer a joyful Allison bounced back into the kitchen and blurted out, "Momma, I'm sorry that I was so selfish before. Will you please forgive me?"

Molly, recalling the promise she had made to the pastor, didn't look at her child as she shared that telephone conversation with her now.

"What? You did what?" the once forgiving twelve year old blurted out in a questioning tone of voice. "Momma, what will we have left for ourselves? You are always giving away our things to other people."

Molly quieted the child explaining how they had to test their faith by trusting in the Lord. She promised her that the Lord would honor them for their faithfulness.

So,Allison sullenly helped her mother re-pack the groceries, including the roasting chicken, and went with her on the delivery.

Coming back home in the car, both mother and daughter were silent, each thinking their own thoughts about the Thanksgiving items that were given away.

As they approached their house they spotted a very large cardboard box sitting on the front porch. Allison ran towards it as her mother parked the car.

"Momma, Momma, come here", she called as she twirled around in excitement.

Molly ran to her daughter and fell to her knees as she watched the young girl unpacking all the makings for a Thanksgiving dinner, including a huge frozen turkey and a large bag of potato chips.

"Momma, we've passed the test. The Lord has given us an "A".

And Molly answered with tears in her eyes, "Thank you Heavenly Father!"
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
03/10/07
This would make a lovely Sunday School lesson. Nice characterization of the mom and daughter.

My only suggestion would be to add some sort of twist, something not easily predictable.

Very sweet story.
Jacquelyn Horne
03/12/07
Beautiful, heartrendering story. How wonderful to be able to teach a child the goodness of God and the rewards of serving him.
julie wood
03/12/07
A beautiful story! I loved the faith of the mother and the way she was unexpectedly rewarded for her selflessness.

Great dialogue--mother and daughter both came alive realistically through it! Would have liked to see the story open with dialogue, however--that would have drawn me in a little sooner.

Great title--made me have to see what the "test" was, especially related to shopping!
Marilyn Schnepp 
03/24/07
Better late than never, my friend! This is such a beautiful story - and as one commenter stated, you are moving on up in the Charts! Lovely, heartfelt story that encouraged me in my own values and faith. Thanks for sharing such a delightful answer to prayer. Kudos!