Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: NEWS (07/05/18)
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TITLE: Seven Pines News | Previous Challenge Entry
By Judy Sauer
07/11/18 -
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She was so elated to let everyone know about the two new babies and a couple of dogs as the most recent additions to the subdivision. As she bounced from foot to foot when she entered the kitchen, she barely paused a moment to greet her mom.
“What has you all excited?”
Almost breathless, she blurted out, “The Sanders had twins; the Millers got a new poodle, and Billy Johnson said they got a big mutt from Animal Rescue. There’s so much good news to share with everyone.” Then she rushed to her room to work on the details.
After dinner, she swiped a stack of papers as she prepared to deliver the updates to everyone’s mailbox. “Off I go. Bye.”
A few days later, the phone sounded, Brrring, Brrring. Her mom answered. It was Gladys from the next block. “Is Lisa there? I have a prayer request.”
“She’s not here right now, but I can take the information and will ensure she gets it.”
Gladys went on to say, “I need a new hip. I’m so nervous, and I’m only in my 40s. Why would someone my age need a new hip? I really need prayers to calm me down.” She cried.
“I’m sorry to hear this news. I wrote a note and will give it to her when she gets home from school. Hang in there, and remember, God is already there. I’ll be praying for you.”
“O, Lord. Please wash your grace over her. She’s scared and needs you now.”
As she walked through the door she shook her head; a neighbor’s misfortune stung deep in her heart. Tony, the football quarterback, got injured in a car crash. His left leg had broken in two places. It’s only the second week of football and now he’s sidelined for the rest of the season. “Mom!” she shouted in a panicked voice.
“What is it?”
She shared the story about Tony. “He needs our prayers. It’s his senior year and the college football scouts won’t get to see him play. He’s devastated.” She rubbed her eyelids in disbelief.
“Gladys called to give you a prayer request. Sounds like you need to share details to the prayer warriors so they can storm heaven,” said her mom.
An abbreviated version of the newspaper was created and she distributed it after dinner.
As she approached Mr. Johnson’s mailbox he looked very angry. His hands were anchored on his hips and his chest thrust out. His wide eyes and flared nostrils added to her fear as he yelled, “What gives you the right to tell everyone I got a new dog? What business is it of yours, or anyone else’s?” His words bit in the evening air as he clenched his jaw and ground his teeth.
She stood frozen. The hair lifted on the nape of her neck and on her arms. Her heart raced like a rabbit trying to outsmart a fox. She stammered as the words flowed from her mouth in slow motion. “I’m sorry. Billy told me. No one has ever complained about the newspaper before.”
“Well, I’m telling you, missy, don’t share the details of my life ever again. Unless you get something written from me; keep me out of your gossip paper.” He fumed and spit as he turned away. “I don’t want to see another one of your papers in my mailbox again. Got it?” he growled.
“Yeess, sir,” she stuttered as her mouth fell wide open in shock.
She took a long breath, and then another. She was so rattled that she forgot to blink. When she returned home she relayed the encounter to her mom who shook her head in disbelief and hugged her. “Not everyone wants their story told, I guess.”
Several days later, Tommy from down the street joined the U.S. Navy. His great news was in the next edition plus an engagement announcement from the Silvermans.
She enjoyed how good news shared can lift a person’s spirit. There’s never enough good news to go around; it must be sought out.
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Author’s note:
Romans 13:10 NIV Love does no harm to a neighbor.
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