Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Write a Coming OF AGE short story (11/20/14)
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TITLE: The Wanderer, the Rebel and the Saint | Previous Challenge Entry
By Linda Gage
11/27/14 -
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At 3 years old he was a wanderer. Since his first day he clutched his mom’s neck as she tried to drop him off in the Sunday school classroom. The lure of new toys, blocks and books did not entice him. Mom knew it was safe, but he was not so sure. He liked the place with the nice ladies lined up in chairs, rocking little bundles in their arms. They just smiled as he crawled and toddled wherever he wanted, tasting toys, drinking out of any sippy cup (unless quickly taken away) and being hugged and carried around.
In this new place, he was bombarded with clean-up time, craft time, story-time. Such regulations at specific times were foreign to him. Though, Snack time was not so bad: He ate animal crackers and got his sippy cup back that was confiscated when he arrived. He soon learned a nod to the question, Potty?’ would get him a trip outside the gate. But not to Mom. When it was time to color, he crawled under the table and chomped on a crayon. It afforded him another trip out of the gate but not to Mom.
For months he continue to wander and run and wiggle and roll and crawl away from Sunday school activities.
When will this wanderer’s coming of age arrive?
One day the teacher noticed something different. He sat through the entire Bible story without budging.
At 13 years old he was a rebel. He just knew that everyone was against him. Mom and dad had too many rules to follow. Teachers never took their suspicious eyes off of him.
He had heard, “You’re too young for that,” one too many times and he had no intention of waiting for the things that enticed him.
He smoked cigarettes, tried various drugs and had sex unbeknownst to his parents. He did not need school so he cut classes with friends. Why couldn’t he go out late at night? He decided that he could and he would.
One night he and his friend stole his parent’s car and went for a ‘joy’ ride. The joy ended with the car wrapped around a pole and both in the hospital.
After charges were filed and sentences laid down he was more confined than ever.
When would this rebel’s coming of age arrive?
With plenty of time to reflect his actions and while suffering the consequences he contemplated and regretted his decision. When he got out he resolved he would be different.
At 43 years old he is a saint. He accepted Jesus Christ as his savior years ago and was born again. He will spend eternity with God but until then he desires to spend his life honoring the God that saved his life.
On Sundays he goes to church and drops plenty in the basket. He plans to go on a mission trip, but his work schedule won’t allow it.
On weekends he and his family volunteer at the soup kitchen. They pass out tracts about Jesus’ love and share the gospel.
After a long day’s work it’s easier to lounge on the couch and drift to sleep to the TV blaring than to go to the prayer meeting or Bible study.
On Monday’s drive to work he resists the urge to lash out at a wreck-less driver, as he remembers his bumper sticker that shouts ‘God loves you.’
He knows his wife is faithful, but she’s just not as attentive as his secretary. He asks her out to lunch reasoning that eating together is not cheating.
Even for a Christian wandering and rebelling are par. Wandering and rebelling are he fights against constantly.
When will this saint’s coming of age arrive?
Christianity is a dynamic process whereby one submits his own will to that of Jesus’. The selfish nature cohabiting with the saved soul. Until the day he is called to Christ in death or Jesus returns. That will be his coming of age day!
Thanks be to God who delivers through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 7:25)
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