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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: ALL TALK, NO ACTION (01/10/19)
QUESTION FOR THE DAY: WWJD?
“All aboard!” yelled mother as she walked out the door and headed toward the car. Time was ticking. Her three defiant children were slow to get ready for school. Mom was in a hurry as she needed to get to work early for an important meeting.
“Mom, Tommy won’t give me my shoes!” screamed Allie through the screen door. “I threw them in my closet,” Tommy said teasingly as he pushed her aside and bolted out the door, “Shotgun!” Allie stomped back to Tommy’s room mumbling something about how mean her little brother was to her. “Tommy, that wasn’t nice to do to your sister,” mother replied as Tommy climbed into the front seat next to his mother.
“Mommy, I can’t find my purple sweater!” yelled Serena at the front door. Mother stepped out of the car, “Check the laundry room. I think it’s in the basket. Hurry up! I’m going to be late for work.”
After a few minutes, Allie and Serena came strolling out of the house. No urgency to get to the car, or school for that matter. Mother was becoming irritated and honked the horn to move them along. As Allie approached the car, she noticed Tommy sitting in the front seat. “Why is HE in the front seat? He hid my shoes on me. You said ‘first one to the car gets shotgun’ but he cheated. I should have the front seat. I was ready first this morning.”
Mother was more concerned about the time at that moment. “Get in, girls! We have to get going.” The girls hopped in the back seat. Silence loomed for approximately three minutes before Allie blurted, “If you’re not going stick to your rules then you shouldn’t even make them.” Another moment of silence. “Rules are meant to be broken,” Tommy smirked. “Isn’t that right, mom?’
“Well maybe not broken, just bent a little,” mother replied with a smile. Allie did not agree. Why was mother not being fair? She makes rules and expects her family to follow them. Everyone. Every time. Should Allie debate with her mother or let it go?
Mother parked in front of school. Allie couldn’t refrain from speaking, “I guess you’re all talk and no action. You made a rule but then you don’t do anything about it when Tommy breaks it.” She stepped out of the car, slammed the door and proceeded toward the front door with her siblings. Mother wasn’t sure how to respond. ‘All talk, no action.’ Was her 12-year old daughter right or just being sassy?
As she continued to drive to work, mother prayed God would guide her to handle the situation. The busyness of the morning clouded her thinking. “WWJD?” she thought out loud. That was, most often, her go to when issues arose with her children. Mother reflected on Jesus’ lesson to his disciples regarding how we speak to others. From our hearts come evil thoughts and words. What we choose to do, or not do, with them determines how well we follow him.
“Okay, Lord, I understand I should have stuck to the rules, but I was in a hurry,” mother said. “I know that’s not a good excuse. On the other hand, Allie didn’t need to talk to me as she did.” Mother was getting a bit defensive. “I know. I know. Jesus forgave his worst enemies for their hurtful words, and I should do the same. It’s so hard when, even though I’ve done wrong, I can’t help but point the finger at Allie’s wrongdoing. I hear you! I will do my best to act on my rules next time. I will forgive Allie for what she said. I must work on paying attention rather than being preoccupied. Thanks for listening. Good talk!
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This article has been read 251 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Yvonne Blake 
01/17/19
This was a good, typical scenario for this topic. I think all parents find themselves in this situation at some point.
It would be easier to read if each speaker was on a new line. Also the formatting works best if you leave an extra line between paragraphs.
Thanks for writing this. Keep it up.
Linda Lawrence
01/17/19
Really tracked with this story, although it needs more paragraphing and white space. The story was so on topic and clearly written, creative - and I believe it is memorable:-). Loved the way the mother processed her daughter's rebuke. Great example for us all.
C D Swanson 
01/19/19
Well done in content and delivery...well done.

God bless~
Barbara Culler 
01/22/19
Right on topic. I agree with the others about needing paragraph breaks-white space. When writing is all jammed together, he makes me not want to read it. Enjoyed the story, and it's so true!