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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: HOME (02/07/19)
If her walls could talk…

they would remind you that home is an abode where one can be honest. There’s no need for a façade since it’s a haven for authenticity. Then they would proceed to tell you about both the heart-wrenching and heartwarming displays they observe every day.

They would relay what they see: tissue after tissue soaked with her tears, worry lines on her forehead, and fear in her eyes. They would also describe her frustration when she can’t put her thoughts into words and when she forgets something she never would have forgotten before she got sick.

They would speak of the agonizing sounds they hear: burdensome moans, sorrowful cries, and sometimes choking sobs. As she talks to herself, they also hear self-deprecating comments, expressions like “It’s too hard,” and other words that are too desperate and heartbreaking to repeat.

If her walls could talk…

they would report that she has only occasional visitors who stay for short periods. She rarely leaves, and when she does, it isn’t for long. After a visit or outing, her exhausted frame slumps onto the couch or bed where she remains until she can somewhat recover from the exertion.

They would declare her disease is real. She isn’t exaggerating. They don’t often see her pretending. She only fakes it when someone is around, as she smiles to hide her pain and fatigue. When no one else is looking, what she does is revealing, candid, and raw.

If her walls could talk…

they would convey what they witness after seeing her misery and hearing her distress. There is more to her than her struggles and dark moments. They notice she intercedes for others, and sometimes even cries for them. They hear the music she plays, with lyrics of hope, praise, and inspiration, and the sermons filled with biblical principles and encouragement to keep on in tough times. They hear her speak positively, express gratitude, and even laugh.

They sometimes see a look of peace, a look that can only come from the inner work of God. She knows she can be honest before him, realizing that he loves her unconditionally and accepts her completely, difficulties and all. From her interactions and responses, it’s clear that he hears her cries, understands her desperation, comforts her heart, and sustains her spirit.

If her walls could talk…

they would reveal that she is genuine in her safe place. With no other eyes in the room, she’s a mix of despair and hope, inner conflict and victory, devastation and inspiration. In her home and before God, she can be her authentic self.
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This article has been read 119 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
02/14/19
This was powerful in content, delivery and shattering in truth. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

So many will relate to this well written entry.

Blessings~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
02/14/19
First, how did you get my walls to talk? I can relate to this on so many levels. You're brutally honest, yet offer faith and hope. This is a riveting piece. I'm sure I'm not the only one who understands it. When I'm alone, I'll scream and swear--the release offering some relief, but when others are near, I try so hard to hide the worst from them. The reminder about being honest in front of God is quite timely.
Bonnie Bowden 
02/14/19
I could relate to the pain and agony this character is going through. Other people can't always understand an illness that doesn't show up on X-rays or blood tests.

I liked the repetition of the phrase, If her walls could talk.
Pat Guy
02/15/19
“If her walls could talk” they would shout to the world how brave this person is, everyday. Invisible illnesses are like a prison yet you give hope beyond that and show how God brings light into that darkness.
Very well done.
Betty Castleberry 
02/15/19
Invisible illness and faking it when others are around. I love this. It's spot on.
You did a great job of capturing what this subject is all about in this well-written piece.
Thank you for sharing.
Yvonne Blake 
02/16/19
So true . . . our homes are a place where we can be our true selves.
I think it would help to include the actual words of the owner - show, not tell.
My mother suffered from lupus, and I saw her lonely, honest feelings at home when she was putting on a cheerful face for guests.
Mariane Holbrook 
02/16/19
It's true that we all live lives of quiet desperation. Even Christians are not spared unbelievable pain, which makes us appreciate His pain on the cross even more. If your walls could talk, they'd see a person of faith, a heart for others, honesty and integrity in telling it like it is, and conversations with God all during the days and nights. More people than you realize will read this and say, "I could have written this." But you wrote it and did a very worthy job.
Barbara Lynn Culler 
02/16/19
You really put into words the intense pain felt for the chronically ill. I think the walls could also speak of the lonely and depressed persons residing within.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
02/17/19
You did a wonderful characterization through "her walls" of a person who, while suffering, does good things with a good attitude because of God's help.
Corinne Smelker 
02/18/19
I love the repetition of 'If her walls could talk". That is very powerful.
Joanney Uthe 
02/18/19
Very moving and honest entry. The repetition of the title within the piece adds a lot to the powerful writing. As does the contrast between the expression of the pain and the hope of leaning on God during the pain. Great job.
Linda Lawrence 
02/21/19
Your story helps me hear what happens after I leave a visit with an acquaintance. Your story is part of God's nudging to seek out and be a friend to her authentic self. May you be blessed as you have blessed.
Bonnie Bowden 
02/21/19
Congratulations on your 8th place finish, Laurie.
C D Swanson 
02/21/19
My congrats for your well deserved EC.
God bless~
Edy T Johnson
02/21/19
Congratulations, dear Laurie! It is a delight to see you on the EC list. I love your title, which is certain to grab a reader, as it did me. And, your paragraphs serve as an excellent way to turn a writer's heart inside out, to reveal what many experience but don't know how to convey. Thank you for sharing your story for others as well as for the Lord who doesn't leave us comfortless.