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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: CAMP (08/18/22)
Well, here I am. It’s only the first day and I want to quit. Why did I even think I could do this? With my arms full and my heart empty, I walk into the room. I set my stuff on the table and look around. There is no one here but me. It’s a small room of maybe only one hundred square feet. There is this table that will serve as my desk for the next four weeks and a wooden chair. On the wall are printouts of various Bible verses and affirmations. A tobacco scented candle I made a few months ago is waiting to be lit so its aroma can fill the room. It’s scent always reminds me of those good times as a little girl growing up in Farley and hanging out in Big Jack’s tobacco store. I had no worries then.

Now, I am approaching fifty years old as an overweight, over worked, and totally over-it woman. I need coffee. Or wine. Wine would be good. But, for these next four weeks, coffee will have to do. For the past several months, I’ve indulged in a glass of red wine each night. I tell myself it is red wine, and it is healthy. I tell myself it’s only one glass. I even go so far as to tell myself that Jesus turned water into wine so it must be okay. I know me though. I know why I have that glass each night. It’s to numb the pain of what is happening in my life. After drinking it, I always feel convicted. That is the Holy Spirit. He tries to tell me before I take the first sip, but I never listen.

In addition to the Bible, I will read a book by one of my favorite Christian authors. It’s all about growing closer to God. Lately, I have felt distant from Him. The journal I bought has a picture of pink and white roses on the front of it. I think about how after I have died, my daughters will find my journals and read them. They will be inspired and moved to grow closer to God themselves. Most likely though, my decades of journaling will be packed in cardboard boxes or plastic totes, not so neatly labeled, and thrown into some rented storage unit.

I don’t really know what to call this thing I am about to do. My desire is to learn how to live a quiet and simple life with less weight physically and mentally. I want to be strong in the LORD and able to withstand the things life seems to keep bringing my way. This room for the next four weeks will serve as my barracks. If I am going to be a soldier for God’s army, then I need to train.

I know I can’t do life on my own. I need God. Although I feel like giving up, I can’t. God won’t let me. So, here is to the first day of being broken and mended, made stronger by the power of the Almighty.

*Note from the author: Based on actual events. Some names have been changed.
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This article has been read 321 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Sue Botte 
08/26/22
Hi Author of Day One.

I loved reading your monologue. However, as I was reading it, I could 'see' it turning into a short story for a magazine.

Thank you for sharing and keep writing.
Philippa Geaney
08/27/22
Wow, this really hooked me in… but where were you? Did I miss something obvious?
I feel you have huge talent and look forward to further entries, and forgive me for being too slow to grasp where ‘so here I am’ is 😃. The tight word count does limit expression- believe me I know!
I wonder though if you tightened up the struggle with the wine and made it plainer where you were to be for the next few weeks, perhaps it is a Bible College? But a tobacco scented candle-wouldn’t accompany you🤔-readers like me ( feel free to add ‘sometimes slow on the uptake’ would feel more satisfied.
I think you write very well.
Avigail David
08/30/22
I loved the Author of Day One monologue. I felt I was right there in the room feeling, listening to and hearing her voice.

Beautifully written! Relatable.

Blessings to you all your days!