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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Control (01/30/06)
Mother wouldn't let me have a dog, Daddy wouldn't let me drive the family car alone, and neither parent would allow me to play hooky from school, smoke, or stay out after curfew! Thus, from birth to the age of accountability, I was under what society refers to as "parental control"!

Oh, how I dreamed of the day I would become of age! I would have a furry, four-legged friend (or "fleabag", as mother called them) welcome me home with enthusiastic tail waggings and wet kisses; I'd drive a car unencumbered (without a "tagalong" parent in tow); and smoke whenever and wherever I pleased!

Wrong!

I live in an apartment house that doesn't allow pets! I drive a car encumbered with pesky seat belt restraints and pop-up balloon bags, (not to mention the cost of mandatory insurance and licenses required for both driver and car), and to top it all off - I work in a "No Smoking" office, and do lunch at a smoke-free cafeteria nearby!

So much for the beautiful, naive and youthful dream of freedom! Instead of Parental Control, I awake to the nightmare of Government Control! (I think it's called "Big Brother)

If I should break down and weep uncontrollably, lose my temper or become a raving maniac...somebody will say "Control Yourself" or "Get a hold of yourself!"

I am stymied!

So I say, "Do What?", as an expression of wide-eyed perplexity crosses my tear stained face or angry red face, "I don't know HOW to control myself! Somebody else has always controlled me! First it was parents, then teachers, military brass, husband, bosses, government, IRS, supreme court, you name it - they all control me! Nobody has ever allowed me to control myself!"

Wrong again!

God does!. God is the ONLY one who gives mankind the freedom of choice! He allows us to choose "What we do? Where we go? and Who we are?" He never controls, demands, mandates, orders, commands or requires anything from us but love. He just asks us to choose whether or not we want to follow Him, and then He will abide by our wishes.

Simple, and amazing, eh?

What a beautiful gift! Freedom of choice! Who in their right mind, after being constrained and controlled for years, would turn down such a fantastic offer!?

Not me! Immediately I accepted God's offer and chose to follow Him. He had already made the difficult choices long ago in Eden, then nailed them to the Cross at Calvary. All I had to do was follow Him... voluntarily!

So now, if somebody says "control yourself!" I can; for the Lord has taught me "Self" control with HIS help; AND one day, after following my Lord and Master all the way to the pearly gates - I will find that dreams do come true... and those freedoms I craved long ago will finally be mine! Freedom from fear, from sin, poverty, sickness, lonliness, war, crime, hatred, disappointment, rejection and death. All these things will pass away and be no more!

And this time, my friend, I'm NOT wrong... I'm Right!
* * *

"BLess the Lord O my Soul"...
"Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me."
(Ps 129:2 & 95:1 KJV)
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This article has been read 1686 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
02/09/06
Written with wit, in a realistic voice. Good job! To avoid confusing the reader, consider writing the section between "Wrong!" and "Wrong again!" in past tense, to show more vividly your change. I like your style!
Paul Potenza
10/06/06
I'm SO glad that this is one of the first columns that I came across that I have NOT commented on. As usual, I will make my comments before reading any of the others. Then I will go back and read the other comments just to see if they agree with me.

So many times I've wished for freedom.

Financial Freedom, Personal Freedom stc. But I've found that no matter HOW much freedom I've been granted, There's still a hole that needs filled.

I FINALLY figured out what that hole was.

You see, true freedom comes from knowing God.

Many people try to fill the hole with sex - drugs - alcohol - money - shopping - whatever...

But the hole can only be filled one way.

We were created with a permanent hole because whether or not we want to admit it, we're not MEANT for this planet.

We're meant to go HOME where we belong.

At THAT point...The hole will be filled.

Pauly