Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: HOPE (10/29/20)
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TITLE: Confidence Renewed | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marlene Custer
11/04/20 -
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Wanda nodded, stifling a sob, as Jenny murmured, “You are still struggling over that Proverbs verse, aren’t you.”
“Yes. Every time that verse comes up it is like a stab to my heart. I truly tried to “train up” my children and grandchildren, but not all of them are living the way they were taught.” Twisting the Kleenex in her hands, Wanda continued, “Then, this past week I heard a Bible teacher online talk about ‘dropping the baton’ in passing our faith to the next generation. I feel like such a failure as a Christian. I love my kids so much and can’t stand the thought of them being lost for eternity,” Wanda finished as a tear slid down her cheek.
She looked up as Jenny reached over and patted her hand. “Remember, love always hopes. Hope is closely related to faith. Satan wants you to feel alone and defeated, but you are not alone in this dilemma. You must trust God’s Word and never give up praying for them.”
Wanda took a deep breath and watched as Jenny thumbed through her Bible and held it over for her to see. “Here Luke records what Jesus Himself taught, ‘one sows and another reaps.’ Jesus even implied that the one that sows has done the hard part. You have sown the Word into your children and grandchildren; now trust that there will be a harvest.”
“Oh, wow!’’ Wanda exclaimed. “I never looked at it like that.”
Glancing up as the other attendees were clearing the room, she quickly returned her focus back to Jenny. Her friend turned to another Scripture. “In his letter to the Philippians, Paul encouraged the people to be ‘confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.’ And don’t forget—I know it doesn’t seem possible—but God loves your children and grandchildren even more than you do.”
“You are right. That is hard to comprehend,” Wanda agreed as she wiped her eyes. She shifted in her chair as Jenny added, “You know, sometimes we fail to see God working in our loved ones’ lives because we are so quick to judge. We often expect new Christians to be as mature as those that have followed Christ for fifty years. Paul warns us in Romans to not be so quick to judge others. God alone knows our hearts. We can rest in the fact that God, the Judge of all the earth, will do what is right. We find that promise in Genesis 18:25.”
Wanda nodded her head in agreement, biting her lower lip. “You have certainly given me some things to think about. I never considered that I was being judgmental in my expectations.” She brushed her hair away from her face and added, “Thank you for being sensitive to my struggle and coming over.”
Her face broke into a smile as Jenny promised, “ I will pray with you that, ‘the God of hope will fill you with love and peace as you trust in Him.’”
Wanda gave Jenny a quick hug before gathering her Bible and purse. “Thank you. Thank you for giving me hope!”
NIV Genesis 18:25, Proverbs 22:6, John 4:35, Romans 14:1, 13, Romans 15:13, 1 Corinthians 13:7, Philippians 1:6
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