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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: REFUGE (08/29/19)
Sandy’s Struggle.
“I know, let’s talk again soon. It has been way too long ago, but it was wonderful to catch up, say hi to Rick from us both, love you, God bless.” As I hang up the phone, there is a sadness in my spirit, wow Lord it has been so good to talk with Sandy, how come I am so down in my spirit?
Sandy and I go way back, we have battled a few tough things together, in prayer that is, Sandy is the age of my own daughter and all the things she shared with me hit a snare. “Lord what do I do?” I know prayer is the answer, is that truly all? Is there something I can tell her, share my own story?
Silence…really am feeling uneasy now. Sandy’s daughter is 15, her son is 17, she has always been very close with both her kids, specially Ingrid her daughter. Yet today it seems they are strangers, they come home, off to their room, door closed, no snuggles, no; ‘mom what’s for dinner?” If that was all, Sandy could handle it, after all they are teenagers, it seems there is more going on.
Sandy told me she has been sad now for the last year, she has no will to get up in the morning, she is not motivated to do work around the house, everything she loved so much was just not giving her joy or satisfaction. The days are long, dinner doesn’t taste the same, as a matter of fact, making dinner isn’t the same either come to think of it. Rick is too occupied with whatever, work? He doesn’t seem to think anything is wrong. Is he blind? Does he care? They are his kids too! What is wrong with him? I rehearse all her statements through my mind. Wow does this sound familiar or what? It hasn’t been that long ago I was in the same place. How did I get through that Lord?
The Holy Spirit is nudging me, I clearly hear; ”yes, prayer is all you can do for her, when the time is right you can share that living by feelings or emotions is dangerous, you can let her know that the answer is praise and thanksgiving, not now she isn’t ready to hear that, she will soon, then you can call her.” God always knows best I’m thinking but this is to easy or not?
As I ponder His answer to me, think about how that was exactly how I made it through some years of turmoil, I cry and smile, yes Lord I will do exactly that. For You are her Refuge, her strong Tower, her Hiding Place and help in present trouble, you do not leave her nor forsake her that I know.
As I go on with prayer as the Spirit leads me to, peace comes to my mind, the uneasy feeling is gone, I go about my day with a new spring in my step, You are so good Lord, always there, always hear, I don’t know how I would ever do anything without You, You are my Refuge too.
As I walk to the kitchen to get dinner going, the phone rings, it is Sandy.” Hi Ans, it is me again, sorry I was such a downer, I know you prayed and could feel it, thank you, God is good and I know I will be fine, Rick just called, he is taking us out for dinner and finally has two weeks off, not until next month, but it is something to look forward to and I am, thanks again for listening and for praying, love you, talk soon.”
Galatians 6:2” Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Psalm121;2” My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Two years after this call, I shared the following scripture with Sandy,1 Thessalonians 5;16;” Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Sandy is doing much better and has learned to praise God in difficult circumstances, her children are sharing things again, God is so good.
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This article has been read 356 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Linda Lawrence 
09/05/19
You have good material here for a story. I can hear your heart, but the writing needs some work. I believe this story is worth spending some time rewriting. The message is important and strong. Rewriting until the message reads like an enticing story will be worth the STRUGGLE. Go for it!
Barbara Culler 
09/06/19
Teenagers can be trying, that's for sure! It would have been easier to read this piece had you given spaces to the paragraphs. The white space is visually appealing, and lets the reader better understand what is being said. Look at other entries, then you will get what I'm saying. It would also help to let conversations have their own space, so the reader can tell who is speaking. You have what it takes to tell a good story, it just needs a better presentation! Keep on writing!
C D Swanson 
09/10/19
What a beautiful witness and excellent message for those reading this entry. Thank you for sharing, it touched my heart.
Blessings~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/12/19
This is a powerful story. The world needs to read pieces like this to understand others feel this way too. Depression can be so debilitating.

You need to tweak some of the punctuation, try to tighten it up some, as well as do more showing and less telling. These things all get easier the more you write and the more you read.

You've a great foundation here and I can see it touching so many hearts and helping people out of the darkness and into the light. Good job!