Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Encouragement (among believers) (11/08/07)
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TITLE: Sunday Afternoon | Previous Challenge Entry
By Bliss Gordon
11/15/07 -
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“Look at our children,” he said desperately, a strong man, fighting the tears, “look at the investment we can have in their lives….We’re in this civil war of values, and our next generations of children are the prize. What are we doing for them, for their lives?…What are we doing in the lives of the lost around us?…Do we want to make a difference, no matter what the cost?”
An hour later in a front quart of that same sanctuary, the young woman stood conducting the disastrous rehearsal of the children’s Christmas musical production. Forty some-odd rambunctious children and youth, pinching, poking, squirming, screaming, tapping, touching – doing anything but sitting still to quietly listen to the director. The poor girl’s voice was hoarse from talking over their giggles and talking; her head ached from the endless noise. If one of them called her name or asked another pointless question, she was afraid she might scream, or silently punch their lights out (as her brothers might say).
“Momma! What am I doing?” she slumped into a kitchen chair later that afternoon, exhausted and completely discouraged. “My kids didn’t learn a thing today – we made no progress. My assistances are fed up with me, and I’m sure the parents think I have completely lost control of everything.”
“Oh honey, no they don’t. I’m sure it went fine.” She glanced at her daughter’s frustrated brow. “What’s happened to my positive thinking girl? Go outside my dear – get some fresh and fresh thoughts.”
She didn’t argue.
“What am I doing, Lord? What kind of investment is in this chaotic craziness? What difference am I really making?”
A long hike and serious God-talk later, and feeling much better, found the girl again in the kitchen, helping her mom with dinner. A pleasant conversation had diverted her thoughts away from the afternoon’s rough rehearsal until a lull in their chatting, and mom nonchalantly continued cutting the celery, asked.
“Did you see the note you got from Mr. Jones in the mail yesterday?”
“No,” she replied. Patting dry the tomatoes and the tips of her fingers, she sifted through the mail piled on the counter and to bring out a small, plain ivory card. A few seconds later after opening and reading it, she looked up, tears in her eyes.
“Momma! Listen to what he wrote:
‘Thank you for all you are doing with the Church kids. Your time and effort are definitely noticed and the investment you are making in the lives of these children is HUGE! I know it can be hard sometimes but stay strong! Never give up!
Our two kids have never been so excited about a church production and I think that has everything to do with you!
May God continue to bless you in the work of your hands and your heart.’”
She looked at her mom.
“That is so awesome!” she said in amazement.
“Well, that’s our God,” mom replied. “The Great Encourager knows the needs of His child’s heart.”
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