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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Up and Down (04/02/09)
Tears were not an item originally intended for my grocery list, but they were scribbled all over it now.

Milk.

Eggs.

Bread.

TP.

Can’t. Do. This. ANYMORE.

I QUIT.

Moments earlier, as I sat at the kitchen table trying to organize my day, the sight outside my window grabbed the shirt of my heart and wouldn’t let go. My daughter was blasting out a happy song while springing up and down on the trampoline with her favorite doll.

Up and down, singing her merry melody.

Up high with a playful kick, a bounce to her feet, then down on her bottom and up on her feet again.

Such was the state of my emotions on and off since childhood, but lately, the bouncing had seemed unbearable. Shouting on top of the mountain of cheer. Sighing in the valley of gloom. Sometimes three times in the same day.

I quit.

I’m tired of the trampoline.


“Hi, Mama,” Lilly said as she tried to catch her breath. “Mama, did you see me on the trampoline? I was jumping really high. Molly and I could almost reach the sky.”

Yes, I’ve been there many times. “I know, Sweetie, you sure you didn’t touch a cloud?”

“Maybe. What’s wrong, Mama? Your eyes are crying.”

I forced a smile. “Ohhhhh, they’re just happy tears, Baby Doll.”

“Oh. Well, did you see us fall too, Mama? I landed right on top of Molly and made her sad.”
Lilly rocked her Molly doll back and forth, just like I had rocked Lilly so many times when I’d made her sad with my topple down of emotions.

“Molly knows how much you love her, Sweetie. You’d never fall down on her on purpose, would you?”

She smacked a kiss on the doll’s braided hair. “Nooooo, never,” Lilly vowed through gritted teeth. “I love my Molly tooooo much,” She snuggled her close as she sprang to the next room.

And I love you too much, Lilly. I juggled the spinning saucers of solutions in my mind, trying to catch each one before they broke in self-defeat. My sister had been begging me to see a counselor. My best friend was absolutely certain that it was time to let the doctor prescribe some meds. My husband knew that a good workout and diet plan would balance out my hormonal teeter-totter. My spiritual mentor reminded me to pray more, memorize more Scripture. Truth be told, I knew ALL of the advice was sound, but I lacked the clarity to know what to do first.

God help me. It’s too confusing. I can’t do this.

Lilly’s piano lesson shattered my defeated thoughts. “Mommy made me mash my M&Ms. Do, Doooo,” Up and down her warm-up scales she went, pedal all the way to the floor. Over and over. Each note ricocheted on the walls of my nerves. “Mommy MADE ME MASH my M&Ms. Do DOOOOO!!!!”

Eyes shut now, I could hardly bear the extra noise causing confusion to swell within my chest. I leaned against the kitchen counter, then melted into it.

“Sing with me, Molly,” Lilly coached. “Now this one’s extra important, Molly, okay? So sing it with all your heart to Jesus. Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. Open the eyes of my heart.”

Lilly’s precious voice singing the song I'd sung to her over and over again invited my tears to join in. They streamed like hot summer rain down my cheeks.

“I want to see you. I want to see you...”

That’s what I want too. Lord, show me what to do.

“…LOUDER, Molly. To see You high and lifted up. Shining in the light of Your glory Pour out Your power and love. As we sing holy, holy, holy.”

The Holy Spirit poured out His counsel to me, and I knew what to do...

While Lilly and Molly sang up and down the scales of “holies,” I laid down my pride and picked up the phone - because I was tired of the trampoline.


“He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.”
Psalm 40:2



***"Open The Eyes of My Heart"
Words and Music by Paul Baloche
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This article has been read 1825 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Lynda Schultz 
04/09/09
Absolutely great writing.
Laury Hubrich 
04/09/09
Wow! I can really relate to the up and down emotions. I love how you showed it here. Excellent work.
Pam Carlson-Hetland
04/10/09
Great title. It caught my attention immediately. This is an excellent piece, the style matching the subject. Excellent job. This reader could relate.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
04/10/09
I liked this praise song already. Now your excellent story will come to mind when I sing it.
Jan Ackerson
04/12/09
Very good! You took a universal mommy-experience, and made it so absolutely creative--nicely done!
Glynis Becker
04/12/09
Fantastic take on the topic and I love how you wove in one of my favorite songs...great job!
Chely Roach
04/13/09
Wow, this was so real...so touching. Fabulous writing!
Beth LaBuff 
04/13/09
Oh, piano scales are perfect for "up and down". (as well as the trampoline and the despair of your MC) Your writing is powerful. Your title is so unique. We sang "Open the Eyes of my Heart" this morning. :)
Karlene Jacobsen 
04/13/09
Ooooh very nice. A little child shall lead them...even a mommy who fights on a trampoline of emotion.

My youngest is something like this, except he seems to know just when I need a hug.
Sheri Gordon
04/13/09
Wonderful writing. Perfect voice. You drew me into the MC's struggles with depression. Excellent job.
Bryan Ridenour
04/13/09
Excellent writing. I felt your MC's frustration. Nicely done!
Mona Purvis
04/14/09
Splendid! I could feel the emotions. so very well written, creative and impacting.
Mona
Tallylah Monroe
04/14/09
Excellent.
The way you wrote out the grocery list and the bolded line of despair was very effective.
God bless.
Kristen Hester
04/14/09
Wonderful writing and a powerful subject. It is comforting to know other women struggle with up and down emotions. This is so well done! Very real. Loved the little girl and the piano scales. "Why are your eyes crying?" Loved that!
Sheri Gordon
04/16/09
Congratulations on your EC, Laura. You did a great job with this piece, and I was so glad to see it placed.
Betsy Markman
04/16/09
Wow, I can see why this got an EC! Exceptional writing! I could feel every bit of it.
Shirley McClay
04/16/09
This was awesome LauraLee. I have also been ministered to by my kids singing a song that was perfect for what I was going through. God works in amazing and yet such simple ways.
Myrna Noyes
04/16/09
WOW! Excellent piece! I loved your beginning line and your closing one before the Scripture! Your word choices were were so descriptive, and I was enchanted with Lilly!! CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved EC win! :)
Beth LaBuff 
04/16/09
Congrats on your EC, LauraLee! :)
Joshua Janoski
04/17/09
I can totally relate to the ups and downs of your MC. This piece is a very realistic portrayal of what so many struggle with. You captured the essence of the topic very well, and you are totally deserving of your EC. This piece gives hope to those who might find themselves not knowing where to turn. You made it very clear, they need to turn to Jesus.
Sara Harricharan
04/17/09
WHOO HOO!!! Awesome writing, Lalee! Glad I didn't miss this piece, it's wonderful! And I like Molly...what a cute story!
Adele O'Reilly
04/18/09
Whooo hoooo! Congrats on the EC award, Laura. Beautifully written piece which I know is dear to your heart. Thank you for sharing this word with us.
Karen Wilber
04/19/09
Excellent message. I love how you opened the story. You hooked me from the start. Congrats on EC.