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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Potluck (Meal or Gathering) Deadline 7-26-12 @ 10 AM NY Time (07/19/12)
Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

There was shuffling around from room to room at the church. The noise of clacking and banging of pots and pans filled the air along with the gentle humming of voices. It almost sounded like angels singing from the heavens. It was a joyous time of the year for the members of St. Bernadette Church. The festival and potluck always proved to be a blessing.

The joyous rumbling of the children could be heard just outside the door of the kitchen where Bella was setting up the tables in the hall. She peaked out of the window and the children were playing excitedly on the swings, and couldn’t wait for the games to begin. The annual gathering always gave Bella a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that she was serving her God. On this night, it proved to be a miraculous evening indeed. As she peaked out the window from the hall, she noticed Clara walking up to the front door of the church. By her side was Jonathan.

“Do I have to go?” Jonathan exclaimed. “But why? I don’t want to go!”

Clara tugged him by the arm “Yes, we are, come here! Now stop whining!”
Jonathan’s face looked distraught and confused.

Jonathan had been in the children’s choir but recently stopped going. Clara was a single mother. She lost her job and was having difficulty buying her necessities for herself and Jonathan. She frequented the church pleading for help. Today it seemed different, Bella thought. Clara seemed unusually anxious. Why is Jonathan crying? Clara went into the church office and Jonathan stayed outside crying. Bella took her apron off, grabbed a cupcake and juice from all the goodies that were left in the hall by all the church members.

She walked to Jonathan, “Hi Jonathan!”

Jonathan turned to her wiping the tears off his face, “Hello, Ms. Bella.”

“Would you like some snacks?” said Bella.

As she showed him the plate, he at first said no but quickly changed his mind when he saw the sprinkles on the cupcake. He stuffed the cupcake in his mouth so quickly! At that moment, Clara walked out of the office with a worried look on her face.

“Hello, Clara!” Bella said.

“I gave Jonathan a cupcake!” Bella told her just to make sure she didn’t mind.

“Oh, thank you, Ms. Bella! It’s been so hard to get enough food on our table” said Clara.

“Thank you, Ms. Bella!” said Jonathan, with frosting and sprinkles on his nose.

“Tonight is our potluck festival, Clara. You don’t have to worry. Please come and join us. There will be games for the kids. Come and fellowship with us!”

Clara began to cry and she couldn’t believe it came at a perfect time. Bella, Clara and Jonathan helped set up for the festival. They ate and played in the company of others in fellowship.

The annual potluck proved again to be a blessing-- for a family in need.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
07/27/12
Touching, sweet and grabbed my heart. Thank you for this story that resonated truth throughout. We need to be more aware of others as we go through the day. Thank you for this.

God bless~
Laura Manley
07/29/12
Your story was right on target with the topic of the week. It showed love, needs and a resolution for those needs when Bella invited the lady and her son to the potluck. I did find that the story's ending seemed abrupt even though you had ample word count to work with. I liked the reference to Scripture at the beginning of your entry. Nicely done.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
07/30/12
This is a nice story. It makes me think how one time, someone needy came to church asking for help and one of the Sunday School teachers shooed him out. But my son's teacher wasn't going to be a bad example for his students so he ran after the man and helped him. It turned out later the man sent the helpful teacher a check for double thee money he loaned him. It's so important to have a Bella state of mind.

The one thing I might suggest would be to not mention the dinner at first. Instead show Jeremy and his mom approaching the church. Because the way you had it with talks of preparation for the dinner I thought the Mom was coming to church for the dinner not just for looking for help.

You did a nice job of covering the topic in a fresh and different way. I think things like this are so important. It's easy to get caught up in our own worries and forget that there are hungry children right in our own neighborhood. Nice job.