The Bottom Line Matters | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: The Bottom Line Matters | Previous Challenge Entry
By LINDA GERMAIN
02/09/23
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Miss Brown had one more thing to write before the day ended and her retirement began. After all the obituaries she had composed for grieving families over the years, the final one would be about someone she had known since childhood. Their demise was not quite imminent but close enough to go ahead and leave it on file with room to add dates later.

She made a list of all the schools the woman had attended, the adventures she had embraced, and the awards and acknowledgments that had come her way. For some mysterious reason, family members would be hard-pressed to name colleges or accomplishments. If asked, they would probably manage to come up with one or two things, but most likely not.

With that in mind, she took on the task with full force to attempt to offer some honor or glory to the hard-working, honest, and often ignored elderly woman. She wrote and proofed well into the night trying to make this the best tribute the newspaper had ever published.

If no one had noticed or appreciated this faithful woman, the person who knew her the best would at least have shown a little light in her direction. Knowing that made Miss Brown’s heart feel satisfied—for a while, that is.

As dawn arrived, she printed the final copy and slipped it into a large envelope to be on standby. Then, she sat watching the sun rise over the breathtaking mountains and reveled in the chatter of early birds getting ready for their day searching for food or building nests. This morning the air was crisp, invigorating, and fresher than she had ever inhaled.

After a while of prayer and praise to her Father in Heaven, she became aware of a monumental new decision demanding perfect obedience. With total confidence and sincerity, she reached for the Manila envelope and dumped the contents into the fireplace. One match erased any evidence the words had ever existed.

With a happy heart and clear mind, she wrote a second, and better, death announcement.

To all who have ears to hear, please accept this wisdom from one who knows for sure about the reason for being on this earth. It’s always about Jesus, never about us!

If you are reading this, I have already transferred to a higher place and will be basking in His glory and praising His Holy name. That’s ALL that matters. I look forward to seeing you there when it’s your turn. Please choose wisely. Eternity is a long time. Love and blessings, Leeza Joy Brown.

_____

1 John 2:16 NLT
For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world.

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