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: Enter (02/27/06)
Ashley, a twelve-year-old girl, spent most of her life fighting cancer. She was first diagnosed with cancer when she was three. Ashley and her parents went to church every Sunday. Ashley’s parents prayed daily for her health. They had Ashley put on the Church prayer list. They had their church, family and friends praying for Ashley to be healed from cancer.

On Sunday, December 25, 2005, Ashley thanked the church for all their help and prayers. Ashley, twelve years old, stood in front of the congregation on Christmas morning and said, “I want to be taken off the church prayer list.” Her parents looked at her with confusion and tears in their eyes. She continued on, “I have heard you all talk about God, Jesus and Heaven. You have made it sound so good, that I want to go and enter Heaven’s pearly gates and see God’s face. I am ready to go home, when God is ready to take me. I want to ask you to pray for all those who do not know God and who are not ready, because those are the people we should be praying for. We never know when God is going to come for us. He took my friend Rebecca, when she was only seven. I am only a child, so what do I know? I am sure that is what some of you are thinking, but I am here to tell you, that I know God!” She then looked at her parents and cried out, “I love you but we belong in Heaven with God. We are only here for a short time.”

Ashley passed away on February 5, 2006.

Ashley lived her life making the best out of every moment. She was only a child but she was a child of God. She set an example for us all. Ashley was ready when God called her home. Will you be ready?
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 1058 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Theresa Kissinger
03/06/06
This is a beautiful testimony! When I read it I wanted to know more about Ashley and her family.
Sandy Hammock
03/07/06
I agree, a beautiful testimony, leaving me wanting to know more about Ashley & her parents. I am so glad that God gave her the insight to stand before her church & say that to them and to her parents. I'm sure it is very helpful for her parents to have that memory. Thank you so much for sharing.
Virginia Gorg
03/10/06
Out of the mouths of babes. I could almost see Ashley standing there and proclaiming her love for God. Nicely done.
Sandra Petersen
03/11/06
Sandra Petersen
03/11/06
Tried leaving a comment last night, but did something wrong and lost it. I just want to thank you for this tribute to a brave girl. I am surprised there aren't more comments.

The second paragraph could actually be divided into four paragraphs of varying lengths (one or two sentences each). I would leave the main body of Ashley's address to the congregation, however, as one paragraph: from 'She continued on, “I have heard you all talk about God...' to '...but I am here to tell you, that I know God!”'

The sentence "Ashley passed away on February 5, 2006." is effective as a stand-alone paragraph.

The sentence "Ashley lived her life making the best out of every moment." should be supported by one or two examples. Did she spend the remainder of her life praying for the lost that she mentioned in her address to the congregation? Did she smile most of the time despite the pain?

Your article makes me wish I knew Ashley. She sounded like a wise-beyond-her-years girl. Thank you for sharing her story.