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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: AMAZING (04/19/18)
“Is your guest room occupied?” a pastor friend asked over the phone. “You said you prepared a sanctuary for any woman who needed to spend time alone with God. I have a husband in my office, shattered having discovered his wife has been having an affair. He hopes to save the marriage, but feel she needs some time away with God if she’s going to be willing to try to love him again. Right now she’s only sorry she was caught. Can she come?”

I could hardly say no, but I could not imagine what to do with her when she came.

I told a friend about the predicament and she said, “Just love her.”

“Love her? You know me; I don’t do love well.”

“Well love is what she needs,” my friend admonished.

Now I was worried. I already didn’t like this guilty woman, let alone love her. And I hadn’t even met Jade yet. On the way to the airport to pick her up, I kept asking God what I should do with her. I put on a smiley, welcoming face to greet her. She also smiled, but seemed like she was anticipating an adventure.

The drive home wasn’t as awkward as I feared, since the scenery was new to Jade and easy conversation material. I suspect we were both feeling our way, trying to determine what to expect from each other.

And I assume we were both relieved when bedtime arrived.

In the morning, she was cheery and eager to explore our college neighborhood.

I still had no agenda besides providing a safe, prayed over, quiet place to spend time alone with God. I know from experience how it feels when someone tries to stir up conviction in me. I have all kinds of defenses. But it’s different when the Holy Spirit speaks. There is no defense. So I tried to stay out of God’s way. I was simply available, waiting. Waiting for God.

Of course we chatted, but not of anything of significance. I took her for a walk on a bike path through nearby pasture land. We sat on a bench and breathed in the peaceful pastoral scene.

Out of the blue, Jade said, “I feel so loved since I’ve been here. I can feel God’s love coming through you.”

“Really?!” I was dumbfounded. I had no loving thoughts running through my head. How could this be? I knew Jade wanted to feel loved, and that’s why she had an affair. But I was, and still am, absolutely amazed that God could and would use me to give Jade what I did not have but she needed.

Another friend later exhorted me to never say that I didn’t love well because God’s Spirit is in me and He is love.

I am convicted - and in awe.
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This article has been read 249 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
04/26/18
Fantastic! Loved that "comment by a friend" about God's love...fantastic!

Well done,

Blessings~
Dennis Gallemore 
04/26/18
Very nice!
Jude Harris 
04/27/18
I loved this story! How often we don't feel the love and yet God is working through us. A beautiful example of it being God's work and not ours.
Dimple Suit
04/30/18
Awesomely done! I very much enjoyed reading this entry.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
05/04/18
This is a powerful story with a great lesson. Some suggest not to start with dialog because it can make a reader feel like she's interrupting. I don't usually have a firm feeling but in this case, I think a little background, body language, and thoughts might spice up that opener.
Here's a quick example. I flitted around the house, trying to put everything in place. Looking at the misplaced pillows, I grimaced. Deep in thought, I jumped and squawked when the telephone rang.
I took liberties, but wanted to show how little things like that can help develop the MC and give the reader a mental picture. It also shows her internal conflict right away too. You did a great job of writing on topic. Your message is great and one that resonates in my heart. Congratulations on ranking 6th in your level. The highest rankings can be found on the message boards.