Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: The Reader (04/15/10)
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TITLE: Encouraging Words | Previous Challenge Entry
By Judith Evans
04/17/10 -
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Ding! The oven timer jarred Amanda into the present. She placed her bookmark – the one with Psalm 121 embossed in it – and followed the aroma of baking bread. As she tied her long black hair into a ponytail, she promised herself that she would finish the reading Acts before the end of the week. The names and places of chapters 27 and 28 accompanied Amanda to the kitchen; the drama of Luke’s story and the truth of Paul’s witnessing stirred her heart.
Amanda had not always been a reader. Nearly every time she picked up a book and smoothed its pages, she silently thanked Margo, her adult literacy tutor. Each Tuesday, Margo and Amanda would sit at an aged wooden table in the public library; Amanda would furtively glance at the shelves of books surrounding her. Now in her kitchen, comforting fragrances greeted Amanda as she opened the oven door. As she tipped the bread loaves out of their pans, she realized that six months had already passed since she had obtained her first library card.
The brand new cookbook which lay on the kitchen counter had closed. Its spine still cracked every time Amanda opened it. As she thumbed through the pages, Amanda smiled to herself. Not only was she reading recipes – she was finally able to read the Scriptural passages which had stirred her heart since childhood.
“What would you like to read?” Margo had cheerfully asked one afternoon, as she and Amanda browsed through the stacks. The years of pleading with friends to read instructions and fill out application forms for her were finally in the past. To choose a first book, Amanda didn’t know where to begin: her son had always thought she should study photography,and her best friend was sure Amanda would love history. “Well,” Amanda laughed when she showed Margo the pile of books in her arms, “I guess I’ll take you up on that offer of a ride home.”
The whole wheat loaves cooled on the kitchen counter. This evening she would take the fresh baked bread to her Bible study; it was her turn to lead the group. Amanda could sit down and read for another two hours before Bible study. Moments after opening to Acts 28, she was once again at Paul’s side on the island of Malta. Her new love for reading had turned Amanda into a passionate storyteller; listeners would find renewed interest in Scripture passages after she had spoken about them. Other members of her study group looked forward to the evenings led by Amanda. Amanda the student had become Amanda the teacher and mentor, and most importantly, the reader.
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Very absorbing story about how much Amanda's world changed because of another kind soul, touching and encouraging her to read. Especially like where it led her and the self confidence she grew in.