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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Current Affairs (05/31/12)
Melanie Lambert seemed to spend a lot of time at her desk daydreaming about the man in the office down the hall. She was sales manager at her company, and the man down the hall was Guy Morgan, a top notch salesman recently transferred in from Ohio. She felt an attraction to him every time they met to discuss business. He often asked her to lunch. There seemed to be a slight urgency in his voice, but she always declined.

Melanie regretted her refusals, because she really liked this man with the gentle, composed disposition, and sense of humor. She liked the way his eyes smiled at her when they were in a meeting. They seldom talked about personal matters, but her assistant, Jody, told her he was single.

“Hold on, now Melanie. The last thing you need is an office romance, or anything or the sort! Remember Michael?” she chastised herself.

Michael was Melanie’s ex-husband, and even though it happened two years ago, her eyes still stung with tears when she thought about his betrayal.

One day she had a husband she loved, who attended Church with her every Sunday, and the next he was gone. He told her he met someone else. Just like that - after five years.

“I want a divorce, it’s over,” Michael said, as if he were reading her the newspaper.

Michael then took an overseas assignment as a news correspondent and took his new love with him.

Melanie was devastated. She cried herself to sleep every night for six months. Then she slowly began picking up the pieces of her shattered life.

Melanie was a Christian, and every day and night she prayed for God to take the pain and emptiness away. She and Michael had no children, agreeing to wait five years before starting a family. Five years turned out to be too late, so now she worked long hours to delay going home to her empty new house.

Melanie knew Jesus well, and it was her relationship with Him that kept her going. Still, something inside longed for the companionship of a man - just a friend, who shared her Christian beliefs.

At five o’clock one evening Guy walked into her office and sat down. Melanie looked up and smiled, expecting a discussion about a recent sale, and was completely taken aback by his question.

“Melanie, could I go to church with you on Sunday?”

“What did you just….I‘m sorry, what?.”

“Church, on Sunday, could you take me to yours? If I’ve overstepped, forgive me, but I haven‘t found a church here yet and I‘ve overheard you talk about how wonderful yours is. My wife died two years ago, and I don’t know many people here. I don’t have a family. I really need the friendship of fellow Christians right now, and I somehow feel a connection with you.”

“I‘ve felt it too.” Melanie said, before thinking.

The following Sunday Guy came by with a bouquet of daisies in hand to pick Melanie up for church. The sermon that day was about Christian relationships and dating. How fitting, thought Melanie.

Melanie and Guy went to church together every Sunday for the next year. They worked together as professionals. They studied the Bible together and learned the meaning of a Christ-filled relationship. Their dates consisted of dinners and movies and long walks on the beach. He told her of his life, and she told him of hers. They shared tender kisses and held hands and they fell in love.

One fine Saturday in April, they came together as man and wife in the little white church they both attended. Guy then moved into Melanie’s larger house, because they both wanted children.

A year later, their son Isaiah was born. As Melanie sat on the back porch one fine spring day, rocking her beautiful child and watching her beloved husband cook steaks on the grill and sing lullabies loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear, the phone rang.

It was Michael. He had just returned to the states and learned of Melanie’s wedding.

“Are you happy, Melanie?”

“Very happy, Michael.”

“I suppose I’m glad for you, then. I’m sorry I hurt you Melanie. I made the biggest mistake of my life when I let you go. I know that now.” Michael said.

“You are forgiven, Michael, you are forgiven. May God bless you always. Goodbye Michael.”
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This article has been read 1068 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
06/07/12
Awww. I loved this story. It could have been a Debbie Macomber movie of the week. I am a sucker for happy endings...and Amen, this one had a beautiful one.

Thank you...great entry.

God Bless~
debra little
06/08/12
That was great, would love to read more, good job
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/08/12
This is such a sweet love story. I could so relate to the fear of being hurt again. I also have several friends who desperately want a husband and family but for now God has other plans for them.

I think the weakest part of your story would be the on topic section. It would be the perfect story for this week's protecting the heart but I have a hard time seeing the current events part in it.

Even if you do score lower on the topic part., you will do great with the beginning. It drew mew in right away. I also enjoyed the ending and the sense of hope. You also do quite well in transitioning from one part to the next. Though the story may be a tad predictable you have given a clear message. Life must be handled in God's time not ours. I believe for some reason, God asked you to write this story right now and I have no doubt that he will use your words to give up to someone who needs it right now. Following God's leadings is the most any of us can do.
Jody Goode
06/09/12
RE: “Hold on, now Melanie. The last thing you need is an office romance, or anything *or the sort! Remember Michael?” she chastised herself.

I believe should read, "...anything of the sort!"

As far as the topic, "Current Affairs", this article might actually be very relevant as divorce is something plaguing so many marriages today. This story aptly goes well beyond the hurt, distrust and feelings of betrayal that come with the ending of a marriage relationship and clearly counsels in the body of an encouraging and clever love story that one is better served to wait upon God and follow His lead through faith, patience and forgiveness to find His treasure of blessing in the people He brings into our lives to shower His love upon us making us whole and content in this life. As we all know, too, our God is one who works in mysterious ways and this story also shows that He will not stop at anything, as first and foremost evidenced by Christ's Holy sacrifice for us, to draw anyone to Himself that draws near to Him. Although, 'Michael' realized the errors of his ways - and too late to mend them with 'Melanie' - in her forgiveness he was given release to move on in his life instead of being left in bondage of guilt and regret that stagnates any life. A very well-rounded story! Woo hoo, Lynn and a big thumbs up :)