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Topic: Trees (12/05/05)
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TITLE: The Joy of Spring | Previous Challenge Entry
By Beverly Lewis-Burton
12/05/05 -
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Ever since she was a little girl, Pinkie had tried untiringly to please everybody. Somehow, this always got her into a little bit of a jam. She was the oldest daughter in her family. And for the life of her, she could not understand what was expected of her. Further complicating matters was the fact that her dad was the pastor of one of the largest churches in the city. Pinkie was expected to be on her best behavior at all times.
It felt like the spotlight glowed even brighter during the holiday season. So many people. So many places to vist, never alone. Always with the church. Pinkie was tired! But knew she could not stop. She would fail God. What would He think? What would mommy think? What would daddy think? Countless time, she had heard "To whom much is given much is required" We are counting on you! Jesus is counting on you!"
Now as she lie, snuggled beneath the quilted memories of a grandmother she despised. She wondered why the rain continued to fall outside against the window and softly in her heart. In spite of her desires to do right, it seemed Pinkie's decisions always led her suffer painful consequences.
She welcomed spring because it signaled the end of a cold and barren life. Maybe now she could find some peace with God and herself. The last time she overdosed, her parents were embarrassed to be called by the hospital chaplain. They could not understand the problem. They had given her all the world had to offer. The same sermon spilled from her mother's lips. "I could have aborted you. You father could have left us. We provided you with everything...food, clothing, housing and an excellent education. Even God and now you go and do something like this.
She had tried to go to God alone without the intermediaries of her parents' voices swirling like the ingredients of a cake batter in her head. But, it felt like God did not hear her. Somebody else's voice was always shouting above hers to be heard. She knew scriptures, she memorized them as a child. But, none seemed to comfort her. She could never be heard by God or feel His presence or so it seemed, except in the spring.
Pinkie was convinced that only God would give us seasons and time to recuperate. That only He truly understood our ability to not measure up, covered our mistakes and gave us tome to brood. Isnt' that what winter is all about? She mused. But, spring was coming. Spring was here, the time for beginning. No, the time for a new beginning. The evidence that even dead things could be resurrected with enought love and nurturing. Shadows of death above and below the ground were lovingly wrapped in the essence of life. God's compassion warmed and cradled nature's very existence in the season of spring.
Just then the phone rang. It was her mother, "Good morning, sweetheart! Welcome to the first day of spring. Time for a new beginning. I have been praying and I have asked God to lift your spirits and renew your mind." "Thank you mother. I needed that. Spring give me so much hope!" With that, Pinkie rose up from the twisted blankets of winter, went to the window and observed a mother bird feeding ther chicks. Right then, she felt the presence of God! One day soon, she too, would be able to leave the nest of her mother's comfort and pursue the God of her parents on her own. Until then, God's promise for her was found in the joy of spring.
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