Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: LOVE (agape and/or phileo) (03/12/15)
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TITLE: Home | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ashley Rowland
03/19/15 -
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“Who is he?”
“What do you mean, Peter?”
“The man you’re seeing behind my back,” Peter said through clenched teeth. “Don’t play dumb.”
Amber replayed the night for anyone who could have made Peter jealous this time. She avoided contact with anyone of the opposite sex now, but she couldn’t control innocent glances in public. Had she attracted someone’s attention tonight? Or had she glanced at the waiter when he walked by? Amber gingerly wiped tears from under her eyes. “I don’t know, Peter. What are you talking about?”
“Look at you.” Peter raked his gaze up and down her body. “You never get all done up like that.”
Amber touched her hair. This was what sent him over this time? Amber pursed her lips and took a breath. “Peter, it’s our five-year anniversary. I fixed my hair and dressed up…for you. And you accuse me of cheating on you?”
Peter took Amber’s shoulders and said, “Baby, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t…touch me,” Amber said as she turned and paced. She came to rest behind the sofa. “How could you think that I would cheat on you? I don’t even look at anyone else in passing. I don’t even talk to my mom anymore.”
“Don’t throw your mother in my face. She’s the close-minded old woman who cut us off.”
“Did she cut us off? I just remember you complaining about her every time she was around. Talking about how she didn’t understand the real world or you. You were so rude to her. We saw less and less of her until finally none at all.”
“Don’t you dare blame not seeing your mother on me.” Peter came around the sofa and stood over Amber. “She gave you everything she had. She sacrificed everything to raise you on her own – to send you to college. How do you repay her? By living with me and not even using your college education. Now I pay for everything and you dare talk to me like this?”
Amber tried to shrink inside herself as Peter talked. Her mother had sacrificed everything for her, and she had done nothing with any of it. She wasn’t even married. Shame filled her as it always did when she allowed herself to think of her situation. Her mother had not raised her to live as she did, had told her so when Peter and Amber moved in together. Mom also told me that Peter would try to control me – little by little.
Amber looked up at Peter and said, “You pay for everything because you convinced me to stay here and not work. There were too many men to ‘flirt with’ at the advertising agency.” Amber stormed by him and turned. “I’m sick of this, Peter. I have tried to love you, but I’m not good enough.”
“Fine…but you’re not taking anything that I bought,” Peter said quietly. “And good luck with your mom. Don’t forget that you chose me over her. I’m sure she hasn’t.”
Amber took a step back and opened her mouth only to close it again. Then she picked up her purse from the sofa and walked out into the night.
Where was she going to go? She didn’t have enough money for a hotel. She didn’t have any friends anymore thanks to Peter. What he said about Mom was true. Now what she did have? For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, …nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Yes, Mom had taught her the love of Jesus. She had ignored His voice for so long, but He was there all along. Lord, please forgive me for my disobedience, and show me what to do next.
Maybe Mom would let her stay just long enough to get a job if she begged. Amber made her way to the nearest bus stop and waited.
Amber walked up to the small, brick house. The porch light was turned on, illuminating the irises Mom had planted when Amber was in junior high school. Amber swiped her palms down her pants legs, walked up the steps, and rang the doorbell.
No answer. Was Mom asleep? Then the door opened.
“Hi, Mom. I …”
“Oh, Amber. You’re home,” Mom said and wrapped Amber in her arms.
Author's Note: Scripture reference - Romans 8:38-39 NASB
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Loved it.
God bless~