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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: HONEST (05/31/18)
Sunday morning, walking into the church foyer:

Oh, there’s a sign-up sheet for the children’s Christmas program. I should sign up right away so I don’t get stuck with something I don’t want to do. Let’s see. Okay, I would enjoy choosing and rehearsing music with the kids. Yes. I’ll volunteer for the music. There! All signed up. Lord, I’m excited about doing this. It will be my Christmas gift to You.

Sunday afternoon, while slipping into a delicious nap:

I can just envision darling children kneeling around a manger, shyly, sweetly singing, O Come Let Us Adore Him. O come let us . . . Ah, this will give the Lord pleasure. Yes, that will be the closing scene.

Next Sunday morning, walking into the church foyer:

Oh, there’s a posting of the Christmas program responsibilities. What?? Judy is doing the music? Not me? Well, she is more experienced at working with children, and she actually is a musician. Too bad we seem to have similar gifts and passions. Okay Lord. So what am I stuck with doing? Sets and props?! Well, Lord, I certainly need some inspiration.

Sunday afternoon, while slipping into a delicious nap:

I envision a tulle veil across the front of the sanctuary, separating “heaven” from “earth”. Angels behind the veil are dimly seen as they’re heard discussing their awe of what is happening on earth. . . children kneeling at the manger singing, O Come Let’s Us Adore Him. . . The children will be caught up in the reverent moment and have this memory forever of worshipping in awe. This will give the Lord so much pleasure . . . Lord, thank you for letting me do this for You.

Saturday morning at the Christmas program rehearsal:

What chaos! What noise! Oh Lord, this is not what I pictured. I have no control of anything. This is just a hodgepodge! I pictured something so reverent and God-glorifying. This is more like a party. Oh Jesus, this is awful. I feel sick at heart. No kneeling at the manger, but a rousing, marching version of Joy To The World?!

I’m sorry, Lord, that Judy just did not have Your vision. Your heart must be grieving like mine. Everybody is leaving now to go caroling at the nursing home. But Lord, I am too sad to join them. How disappointed You must be that we are not giving You worthy worship . . . I’m just going to go home. I don't want anyone see my disappointment.

Late Sunday, after the Christmas program, wishing I could slip into oblivious sleep:

Lord, if only Judy hadn’t been put in charge, how the children might have been blessed. You would have been glorified. This isn’t the first time she was given a job I wanted to do for You. I’m so sorry that happened. . .

What? I’m fooling myself? I’m jealous? You don’t think this is righteous sorrow? I’m feeling sorry for myself, not for You? It's my heart attitude that is grieving You? Nothing Judy did?

Ohhh, I’ve not been honest with myself or with You! Lord, please forgive me for thinking more highly of myself than I ought. I felt so spiritual, so holy, on my side of the veil. But You see right through my self-deception. I was not adoring You; I was adoring myself and my glorious creative ideas. Thank you for lifting the veil and showing me reality.

And thank You. Lord, for showing me Your true pleasure is in my repentance.

I’m ready for a rousing Joy To Linda, The Lord Has Come!
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This article has been read 826 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Bonnie Kronberger 
06/07/18
I chuckled throughout the reading. Haven’t we all been in a situation like that? I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and the style. Excellent!
Jenny Fulton 
06/07/18
Great job telling the story through the inner dialogue of the MC. I enjoyed seeing the progress of her thoughts.

I may be looking at this through too literal/practical of a lens, but I found myself wondering about the organization and coordination of this event. Each role seemed completely independent of each other, with no overarching vision that they were operating under.
Joe Moreland
06/11/18
This is so well written! Your transitions from moment to moment are so effortless.

I only wish my revelations of my own self-serving actions were brought to my attention as gently as with your MC. God typically ends up having to run me over with a truck to get me back on track. :)

Great work!