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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Diet - deadline is 8-9-12 9:59 am NY time. (08/02/12)
Shelia was on another diet. At the age of 45, she was willing to give this new diet one more try. After all, she was dating George Watkins, a 40 something barber who was handsome and smart and she was worried that maybe he would find someone more attractive and younger. He seldom looked at other women but still, she was concerned.

She was crazy about George and he was one guy she just couldn’t pass by. So it was time, she thought, to diet once again.

Shelia, in her mind, didn’t feel fat except when she was around someone like Nancy Thimble. Nancy was one of those who could eat anything, day or night, and not put on an ounce. If Nancy weren’t her best friend, she would dislike her intensely.

Day One of the new diet went good and she was beginning to think and act more positive and was already eyeing a beautiful dress in Gimbles’s. The dress was gold and blue, with highlights of blue around the V-neck collar. It was a size 12 and it was one the prettiest dresses she ever saw. She tried on a size 14 and the dress was a bit tight but the colors looked good on her.

“I’m going to get in that dress if it kills me!” With a grimace on her face and her medium blonde hair swaying with her anxiety mixed with high hopes, she looked into the full length mirror and made a promise to herself. “By Labor Day, I will be 10 pounds lighter and I will wear this dress to the Labor Day Ball at Rod and Cynthia’s party.”

Shelia had thirty days to go and that wasn’t much time because like some, she had a terrible time just getting rid of five pounds. But, as the days went by, her scales were telling her that she might make it.

Several days before Labor Day, she got a call from George.

“Hi Sheila. Has been awhile since I’ve seen you; didn’t want to disturb your diet. How is it going?”

“Good. The diet is going well and I’m looking forward to the Ball and being with you. How is it going for you at the barber shop?”

Being a part owner of Bill and George’s Barber Shop, was a responsibility that George took seriously. At the age of 42, George was in good shape. His divorce from Doris several years ago had made him a bit wiser and more accepting of a person's faults for surely, he had some faults of his own.

“Going well. Last week we had some new customers and they’re bringing in some of their friends. The business is picking up and I’m feeling relived. Well, I’ve got to be going. Got several customers coming in soon. Take care and I’ll see you on Labor Day.”

Well, Labor Day came quickly and in the morning before breakfast Sheila gently went on the scales. She held her breath as the numbers slowly began to show. Suddenly, the numbers came up and it showed, “135.” She did it! No longer was she 145 but a glorious 135! She was going to look great in that dress. Yesiree Bob!

Quickly, she washed up and then put on the dress. She looked into the mirror and saw that the dress looked wonderful on her and with her hair styled gently around her face and jewelry that accentuated the gold and blue in the dress and wearing low-heeled gold shoes, she looked almost like a movie star.

An hour later, George knocked on her door. When he saw her, he exclaimed, “Honey, you look wonderful! So beautiful! But, you know what? I would like you no matter what you had on or how much you weighed—even though your weight loss certainly becomes you! But honey, never forget, I like what is inside of you much more!"

For the rest of her life, she would never forget that statement and how he looked into her eyes when he said it. Isn’t that what Christ always does—look at the inside of a person instead of the outside?
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Barbara Culler 
08/09/12
Cute story.
C D Swanson 
08/09/12
A beautiful message and a lovely story. I enjoyed its significant meaning and loved the ending especially.

Thank you.

God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/12/12
This is a cute story. Nothing like love to make us want to look better and feel better.

One thing you may want to try I'd to do more showing than telling. Instead of Sheila was on a diet try something like Feeling determined this time, Sheila passed on the dessert and grabbed a carrot to crunch on. That's not the best example but I hope it shows you what I mean.

You did a great job of covering the topic. This is a delightful read and has an important message. Nice Job.
Laura Manley
08/12/12
Amen to that! It is certainly true that God looks on the inside; however, as long as we're on the subject, our bodies are His temple so we should watch our diets. I think this entry had a good message as well as for us to remember that God loves us no matter what. I enjoyed your story very much!