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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Exhale (08/15/13)
You say that you cannot pray because of the tears that flood your face whenever you look my way. I assure you – those tears are a sign that my Spirit strives with you yet. The pain that pierces your heart when you come into my presence is called ‘godly sorrow’. Do not despise it.

Precious girl, this is not my best for you. Return to me.

Let him go, my child.


The words I spoke to my people millennia ago are as relevant for you now as they ever were back then. “In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength…” (Isaiah 30:15b).

But, sadly, like them, “… you would have none of it” (Is 30:15c).

Just a few short years ago, you were a cute Sunday School kid with your red freckles spattered over your upturned nose, your naïve little face so cherubic and your precious life so uncomplicated. Remember that lesson about ‘spiritual breathing’? Remember how you and your friends got the giggles with all those deep breaths in and out the teacher had you take? Now it is time to apply what you learned.

Before you can inhale life-giving oxygen, you have to breathe out the carbon dioxide which your body produces as a waste product. If you don’t breathe out, it will stifle you. Similarly you have to constantly come to me and confess the sin in your life. You have to be rid of it. That includes this recent episode, that very one which you cannot bring yourself to even think about in my presence.

My girl, I love you. I want only the best for you.


You say that you are young and this is the time to have fun. Yes, you are young … which is why you don’t yet have the life experience needed to know what is best. I have given you guidelines. Trust me and obey my instructions. Yes, you should have fun … but contrary to what you seem to think, my ways are not life-crushing. In fact, far from it. They are exhilarating. Do I despise ‘fun’? Look at the panda, the meerkat, rainbows, puppies, kittens and yes, even people.

Put this episode behind you, dear daughter, then wait for your wedding night. Marry a man who loves and fears me first and foremost.

Let him go.


Are you truly having fun? Or do you feel like a balloon blown up beyond capacity, ready to burst at the slightest provocation?

Let go, my precious girl.

Breathe out.

Repent.


The words I gave to my people back in Isaiah’s day are as relevant for you now as they were then: “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion…. You will weep no more. How gracious He will be when you cry for help! As soon as He hears He will answer you” (Isaiah 30:18a, 19b).

Persist through those tears, precious girl. For I WILL hear when you call out to me.

Repent.

Rest.

And enjoy the life I have in store for you.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
08/22/13
Aww. This was enjoyable and I really liked reading it.

Nicely done. Thank you.

God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/26/13
Wow I feel like you were speaking directly to me from he red hair and freckles to still feel oh mg like a lost little girl. Stunning job.
Danielle King 
08/26/13
This reads like a devotional and with a clear message. A unique use of the topic, especially the carbon dioxide paragraph.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/30/13
Congratulations on ranking 13 overall!