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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: PAIN (04/21/22)
A new interest was born when the preacher spoke about the needs of God's children. He took for his text Luke 18. 'Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.' And he spoke about the persistent widow. The desire to tell my story came to mind.

In 1975, I was desperate for a job; I was so desperate that I was willing to do a seasonal job. And I was trying to get a job at the General Post office for the Christmas season.

One Sunday morning, my neighbor's radio was on, and someone was singing. I don't remember the song's name, but what I remembered were the words that spoke to my heart, 'I will never forget my chosen ones.' I began to cry, and the tears flowed down my cheeks. The pain and the shame that I struggled with within my heart for being unemployed and its burden disappeared. I embraced the revelation of who I am, and as the tears subsided, my faith came alive, and I knew then that I would get a job soon. God has not forgotten me!

It used to be so painful when I saw other young people like myself going to work, and I would try to avoid them because I felt ashamed of not working. Our society did not recognize you unless you have a job in my generation. And I wanted to be seen and heard as a young person.

After God spoke to me, my prayer was different.

I prayed, "Lord, I am like that widow in the Bible. I have a request; I need a job desperately…." As I continued to pray, I felt the Spirit of the Lord and my spirit connected. It was such a wonderful experience. That evening I slept like a baby.

The next day, I woke up with such a peace in my heart that passed all understanding. Then the thought came to call the Ministry of Labor in my hometown. So, I got dressed and went to my eldest sister's home to use her telephone to make the call.

I dialed the Ministry, and the operator answered the call.
I said, "May I speak to the manager?"
"We don't have a manager, just an assistant manager," she answered.
"Please put me through to him."
"Ok," she said. "Please hold and I'll will put you through."
"Thank you."

When he answered the phone, I gave him my name and asked him if the General Post Office had already hired seasonal workers for the Christmas season.
He said, "Yes. Are you looking for a job for someone?" he asked.
I said, "No, I am looking for a job for myself."
"What are your qualifications?"
I told him what they were, and he asked me to meet him at his office for an interview at 1 pm.

After the interview, he sent me to the Ministry of Housing, and I got a full-time job and started my new career as a Record clerk that Saturday.

The Bible declares in 1 Corinthians chapter 1:9 'God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.'
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This article has been read 272 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Stephen Kimball
04/28/22
Your entry is on topic and I thought it a good example of emotional pain. You want to grab the readers attention right away, that being said, I think I would eliminate that first paragraph. It seems a bit confusing and out of place. Aside from that…good job. Keep writing.
Noel Mitaxa 
04/30/22
Great story, and I agree that it stands better without the first paragraph.
Philippa Geaney
04/30/22
Funny how we can interpret the same words so differently.
I actually enjoyed your first paragaph😂.
For this reader, it was a way of saying ‘hey this Scripture I heard, reminded me of my testimony...let me tell you’.

At the same time it is so good that fellow readers care enough to share their appreciation and thoughts on how to make your writing have a greater impact. I hope we can all share so frequently and caringly.
Art Fahy 
05/04/22
God is Faithful is on topic.

I know the pain of unemployment. Watching others go to work and me filling out applications for a job.

I read your piece a number of times. I believe the Holy Spirit touched your heart to share your experience with those out there unemployed because of the pandemic.

You may have given hope to someone.
Keep writing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/05/22
This is a great idea and is a wonderful take on the topic. It made me stop and think about unemployment. I totally relate to how our job is tied into our self-esteem. I appreciate that you included dialog, but it was a bit mundane. You don't need little details like getting dressed, looking up number, dialing, and everything the person said. I loved that you shared the prayer though and would have enjoyed more of that. I think that shows vulnerability and some people don't know how to pray so I enjoy it when prayer is shown. Also instead of telling that you're desperate for a job, show it by using body language like grabbing newspaper and pouring over want ads while nibbling on lower lip, cracking knuckles, pacing, twirling hair. Add some zing to the dialog. Instead of the phone conversation, instead share some of the interview questions and how your mind raced trying to be honest yet come up with a good answer, something unexpected. You have an excellent idea and a great start on doing more showing. Keep writing and reading and commenting on other entries so you can get a sense of what you like or don't like in others and use that to make it your own.