Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Don’t Look Back (04/19/12)
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TITLE: Life's Little Lessons | Previous Challenge Entry
By Llewelyn Stevenson
04/24/12 -
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What is it that makes Christians so happy? You would truly wonder if you had awaken up in Frank’s home that day. Having swapped beds with his wife a few days ago, Frank smashed his face into the wall as he awakened and attempted to rise. Recovering he discovered that Chantelle was already up and vocally reprimanding Billy who had decided that there was greater pleasure to be had eating breakfast in his bedroom. Unfortunately the hapless Billy had set his bowl down on the bed, then sat down next to it, spilling the milky contents all over his blankets.
Thomas, in the meantime, who was supposed to be completing his unfinished homework, began bouncing a ball against the door and creating such a din that he soon brought his mother’s rage down upon himself.
Frank, ever the wise husband, rose and dressed quietly, making sure that he washed, shaved, and applied Blue Stratos lotion. No sense in troubling Chantelle for breakfast, she already had enough on her hands, Frank prepared his own toast and coffee, [he’d rather have had bacon and eggs, but with a war impending only the incredibly brave would feed it more ammunition] sat down, and read the morning paper as he ate.
“Darling, you’re beautiful today,” Frank beamed as he thrust out his arms in ready embrace to his approaching wife.
Unfortunately he tripped over the tiny, two inch step joining the passage to the living room and went sprawling, crashing into Chantelle, knocking her to the floor where they ended in a painful heap.
“Honestly, Frank. You are such a klutz,” Chantelle reprimanded, “And now look, you’ve produced such clumsy children.”
“I only had the small easy part to play in that,” Frank grumblingly, observed, earning himself a sharp slap across his already aching cheek.
There appeared no way of pleasing Chantelle that morning so Frank gently kissed her goodbye on the cheek as she crossly avoided his lips, and left for work.
However the Christian life is unaffected by the events of any morning and Chantelle cheered as she did her housework, the boys laughed with friends as they walked to school, and Frank was joyfully singing in his car. That’s how it goes.
Frank got to pondering how life would be if they all gave up their faith.
“No one, taking up the plough, then looking behind them is fit for the Kingdom of God,” Frank recalled Jesus saying. “Well, that’s not likely to happen. There’s nothing worth it back there. This is fun.”
Just then a loud crash to the rear distracted Frank as he spun his head around to take a look. Frank’s action caused him to pull the steering to the right and his car veered into the face of oncoming traffic. A loud horn arrested Frank’s attention but it was too late to avoid the horrific accident.
Later Chantelle, sitting beside the hospital bed chided herself for her behaviour that morning. If only she hadn’t been so bad tempered.
“Oh, darling,” a grinning Frank comforted, “It’s not your fault. I was singing happily as I drove to work that morning. I was full of the joy of the Lord. I just learned a valuable lesson. No matter what the reason, its not worth looking back.”
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Nicely told and nicely written. I am so glad this had a happy ending. My friend had a horrible fight with her husband before he left for work...he died instantly in a three car accident that very morning. She didnt have a second chance. So this can have an impact on others reading it...an important message for sure.
Thank you for this.
God Bless~
My only query would be why did he switch beds with his wife? Did they sleep in twin beds like I love Lucy or perhaps in separate rooms?
Other than that tiny bit that went over my head, this piece is close to perfection. The characters were realistic and lovable. The message is given very subtly and without coming off as preachy.
The ending was divine. I didn't see that coming at all. Great writing!