The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: DISTANCE (10/08/20)
A man had two sons. The three of them were not especially close. The elder son was always working for his father in the field - "like a slave", as he put it. But the younger son was less diligent and obedient and often had a distant look in his eyes, as if he didn’t want to be there at all.

One day the younger son came to his father and asked for his inheritance in advance. “Far be it from me to stand in your way, son,” said his father and divided the property as requested. This act would have far-reaching consequences.

A few days later the younger son gathered his belongings together and left for a far-off country; he wanted to put as much distance between himself and his home as he could. Close to tears, his father watched him go. He knew his son was taking a near-sighted view; as a father he could see farther.

In that far-flung place the son lived dissolutely; it was a far cry from his life at home. The wine he drank seemed far sweeter, the prostitutes he consorted with far more glamorous. But soon he had next to nothing left. Famine came, and satisfying meals were few and far between. He hired himself out to a man who owned pigs. His job was to feed them with carob-pods, far and away the worst occupation he could imagine. In his hunger he’d gladly have eaten the pods himself. “How far I’ve fallen!” he said to himself. “My father’s hired hands are better off by far! I must return to my father and confess my wrongdoing and unworthiness; perhaps he’ll take pity on me.” It seemed a far-fetched idea; he didn’t think there was the remotest chance he’d be fully accepted after what he’d done.

So he returned from that far-off country. The day was far gone when his father saw him approaching in the distance. He ran out to embrace him. Drowning out his travel-weary son’s prepared confession with his cries of joy, he called for the best robe to be put on his emaciated body, sandals to be put on his cut and blistered feet and a special ring of sonship to be put on his thin finger. The distance between them disappeared; they were truly close for the first time.

Retold from Luke 15:11-32
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 178 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Barbara Culler 
10/16/20
I liked your title, and how you re-told this familiar parable.
Marlene Custer 
10/21/20
A story that bears repeating.
Terry R A Eissfeldt 
10/22/20
This was a good idea of a story to retell. And I liked it however it would be much more powerful and impactful if you took one of the characters on as the voice and let us live it out with them. All the senses could be engaged in this story.
Blessings and Gratitude