Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Right and Left (07/31/14)
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TITLE: The Battle's Won | Previous Challenge Entry
By Darleen Coon
08/07/14 -
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When she glanced down at the book, she groaned. Not that book! Everyone at work was talking about it. She stuffed it into her bag, fully intending to give it back unread.
The problem was, she loved to read; especially romances. With a long weekend yawning ahead of her, and no husband to spend it with, what would it hurt?
Just a few months ago she would have thought nothing about reading it in one sitting. But after becoming a Christian, she’d started questioning her reading material. She realized she rather enjoyed reading inspirational romances because they were more about building relationships and less about illicit sex.
On the way home, she flicked on the Christian radio station she enjoyed listening to. Soon, she was singing along to Casting Crowns, “It’s a Slow Fade”. She sang in her off key soprano. “Be careful little eyes what you see…”
Suddenly, it was clear to her why she shouldn’t read that book. When she got home, she took her Bible down and looked up verses regarding temptation. I Corinthians 10:13 leaped off the page. “No temptation has seized you except what’s common to man. And God’s faithful; He won’t let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you’re tempted He’ll provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
She breathed a sigh of relief and bowed her head. “Thank you Lord, for providing the way out of my temptation; for lighting my path with your word; for guiding me when Satan confuses my mind. You, oh Lord, are so faithful.”
The phone trilled; the caller id showed Mike’s number. “Hi, Sweetie. All the other guys were going bar hopping, and wanted me to go. When they started razzing me, I almost caved just to get them off my back. But that’s really not my thing anymore. Besides, why would I want to spend the night with a bunch of drunk nitwits, when I could talk to my favorite girl?”
Hearing his words of triumph over his temptation, was confirmation that this was God’s will for her and him. Haltingly she told him. “Mike, I confess that I struggled tonight with my own battle. I came very close to reading a sexually explicit book. Fortunately, God steered me right to Him instead.”
“Honey, I’m so glad you didn’t give in. When you read those books in the past, I always wondered if you compared me to those fictional heroes and found me wanting in the romance department.” He quietly confessed.
“I’m so glad you shared that with me. Now I have even more incentive not to go near that book. I’d never want you to feel badly.” She swallowed hard to keep the tears from forming.
Monday morning, with the book still in her bag, we went over to Tiffany’s desk and held it out to her. Tiffany looked up in surprise. “Done already? I knew you wouldn’t be able to put it down! What did you think? I bet your already planning on trying some of those moves out on Mike when he gets home tonight, aren’t you?”
“Actually, I didn’t read it. I decided that God really didn’t want me focusing on that type of stuff. Instead, I used my quiet time to read my bible, and pray. I had a great weekend!” She smiled down at Tiffany.
Tiffany’s mouth gaped fish-like. “You didn’t read it? You really are Miss Goody Two Shoes aren’t you? But mark my words. If you don’t switch things up by trying new things, your man will look for it somewhere else.”
Suddenly, Amy had doubts. Just like in those corny movies a little devil seemed to appear on her left shoulder sneering into her ear. “Mike’s gonna get bored. You’re depriving him of sexy, steamy, wonderful stuff.”
Even while she was contemplating taking the book back, another stronger voice seemed to shout her right ear. “Flee my child, flee.”
Glancing over her right shoulder, she could almost see the flutter of wings as she turned on her heel and walked away. Right, left, right, left as if marching into battle. But the battle was already won—today.
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Your characters are believable and the dialogue is well written.
Thanks for sharing.
God bless~
God bless~