The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Break (02/06/06)
In 1968 I was twenty-one, and had recently emigrated to Canada. After a year in Toronto my friend and I decided to move to British Columbia, and we thought that taking a southerly route through the United States was a good idea. We decided to take a three month break in order to see the country, and accordingly we loaded up our old Pontiac Impala with all our meagre belongings, plus camping gear and left Toronto, heading across Niagara Falls into the States.

One event of that move, came to mind the other day when thinking of trips I had taken. We were walking on a street in a town in Georgia, I forget which, and an elderly man was walking towards me. We made eye contact. Here was my chance, to make a grand gesture. I stepped out into the gutter, and stood aside, in order to let him walk by.

Did I in fact show that man love, or was it idealistic conceit and ignorance? A young, white girl moving out of the way for an old, black man, in a time of great friction in the southern states regarding black and white people.

On reflection, perhaps I did not help that man but made his life more difficult. Not only could I have stirred up trouble for him with others, who witnessed the act and would blame him somehow, but what did that action do to his heart. Did I stir up old wounds, or did I encourage him? This side of heaven, I will never know.

When we visit another culture where differences offend us and if we see things that are plainly wrong, we need the wisdom of Christ, because our grand gestures may in fact bring harm to another and instead of bringing glory to Him only brings glory to ourselves.
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.
This article has been read 1140 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Virginia Gorg
02/14/06
"Here was my chance, to make a grand gesture. I stepped out into the gutter, and stood aside, in order to let him walk by."
If the stepping aside was done as a "show" to those watching, it could create a problem. If the stepping aside was merely a move out of the way with no 'show,' it could have shown respect.
Nice thought-provoking article.
Nina Phillips
02/16/06
I think it was a good thought to reflect on, and to think about our actions if carnel or spiritual. Thank you for sharing! Spiritual always seems to work best! God bless ya, littlelight
Lynda Schultz 
02/17/06
You are obviously someone who analyzes actions and reactions. We can't control how others might react to what we do or say, but we do need to think before we "do or say" because, in the end, we are responsible to God for "us". Thanks for a good job done in reminding "us".