Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: AGREE TO DISAGREE (05/04/17)
- TITLE: Silent | Previous Challenge Entry
By C. Roxanna Tineo
05/11/17 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
The child is challenging. He is an enigma. He keeps the woman on her knees, praying to God for wisdom on how to fix him. She works so hard, exhausting herself emotionally. She wants to change so much in this child, to mold him with her hands like dough being made into bread. But this one child is not easily persuaded. He is unlike the ones who came before him. This child seems to yell a lot more and do things that leave her feeling helpless. She loves him, of course, but admits many times she struggles to like him. The mother finds his actions offensive. Yet the child is also sensitive, praying at bedtime for the woman while she tucks him into bed. The woman looks at him and wonders how this sleeping angel could make her so mad. He is so strong inside, like a relentless animal fighting for survival. The mother cries and just wants to run and hide. How had she become so weak? How had the child become so angry and dissatisfied?
The woman feels defeated, believing that in some way this must be all her fault. Surely by now she should know how to discipline a child. She just wants peace, no more fights. She wants all the noise to go away. She wants an easy child. She is older now and running out of gas. But this child is bigger than life. He commands attention, relationship, endurance. He will not give up. He pushes, stretching her to the limit. She remembers him as a newborn. He had the kindest eyes, the sort of eyes she could look at forever and get lost in the peace they brought to her heart. The woman cries out to God. “What are you trying to teach me Lord? This all seems so unjust! How can I keep loving someone who is so contrary all the time? How should I respond to this child?” How should I respond to his anger? Then, like a quiet breeze she hears Him say “silent.”
The woman is learning to be quiet, to speak less and observe him when he is angry. She is learning to be still and listen more. She is choosing to know him and fighting the urge to “fix” him and make him do as she prefers. She is letting some things go, hugging the child he is right now rather than demanding that he instantly becomes someone more likeable. She is learning that being “right” is not above loving and being loved. That the pride that comes with winning an argument could never come close to the joy radiating from the eyes of the child who is treated with dignity and feels accepted. She is choosing to give him grace, to quit the war and let evil walls come tumbling down. She is becoming vulnerable and soft. She is raising the white flag, as she embraces her son and surrenders in faith to newfound ways of peace.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Blessings~