Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Example (07/25/13)
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TITLE: A Mother's Legacy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Rhonda Ritenour
08/01/13 -
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Beginning the day with a disgruntled neighbor was not what she would consider a great start to her already hectic morning. After ushering four children out the door and a quick-peck on the cheek from her over-worked husband, Cynthia already felt the day was spinning ahead much faster than she wanted it to . . . not to mention the hour long phone conversation with her mother-in-law, who felt the need to recount all the ways she felt her daughter-in-law was failing not only as a mother, but also as the wife of her favorite son.
Taking a deep breath, she blinked back the tears as she recalled the absolute breaking point of her day - the dreaded follow-up doctor’s appointment regarding the biopsy taken a little over a week ago. Her fears were realized . . . cancer . . . just like her mother. How was she going to tell her husband? And, what kind of legacy would she be leaving behind for her children? If you asked her mother-in-law, it would be nothing close to the Proverbs 31 wife she had hoped to mirror all of her life.
Lord, what am I to do? I feel like a failure in so many ways and am worried about so many things. I try to trust that You know what you’re doing, but right now, I’m having trouble seeing how You could use this for good. Help me to be a better example for the children . . .
Her prayer was interrupted by a tug on her skirt. “Mommy, Mommy, are you coming?” her youngest daughter, Laurie, begged. “It’s time to play ‘camp-out’ in your room and we’re all ready for you!”
Cynthia knew she should treasure these moments with her children, but she felt so tired. “Alright, let’s go.” Setting aside the remaining dishes, Cynthia carried her daughter to the bedroom. There she found her children excited to begin their evening of hiding from the thunderstorm outside, except for her middle-child, Elizabeth, who huddled with her favorite blanket in the corner of the king-size bed.
“Oh, Lizzie, what’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare again?”
Sniffling, Lizzie crawled over and snuggled up to Cynthia. She whispered, “I was afraid I’d lost you. I was running and running, but you weren’t there! Why did you have to go away?”
Hugging Lizzie, Cynthia tried not to shed her own tears. Lord, how am I to stay strong for my family, when I feel so weak? Lift me up on eagle wings . . . Help me to follow Your lead and keep my eyes focused on You, so I can be a better example to them. I so often feel like I fall short . . .
“Mother,” asked her oldest daughter, Samantha, “are you okay? You look sad.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m exhausted, but otherwise, . . . I’m okay. I was actually just saying a prayer.” Speaking to all her children, Cynthia said, “There’s something very important I want to share with each of you before we begin our story-time. First of all, I want you to know how much God loves each of you - even more than I do. And, even though it may not seem like it at times, He knows what’s best for all of us.”
Crawling onto her mother’s lap, Laurie twirled her hair. “Mommy, when I get older, I want to be just like you.”
“Yea, Mom,” Ben chimed in. “I’m going to write about you for my homework assignment. The teacher said to think of someone we really look up to and want to follow as an example. I can’t think of anyone better than you.”
With tears in her eyes, Cynthia reached for her son’s hand. “Ben, how did you know that was exactly what I needed to hear right now?”
Hugging each of her children, Cynthia prayed, Wow, Lord. I am truly blessed. I know it’s only because of You that Ben said what he did, but it was exactly what this tired Mama needed to hear. Thank you for answering my prayers from earlier. Thank you for reassuring me that with You, I don’t have to worry about the future. You have it all in Your capable hands. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
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You did a good job with the topic also.
Thank for sharing.
The MC's dialogue with her children touched my heart.
God will sustain and help in ways only He can.
If this is a "true account" I will keep you in prayer...and I have many friends who are cancer free going on fifteen years. So, keep that in mind, and keep looking up for all of your answers.
God bless you~