Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 1:8 (06/01/23)
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TITLE: Rescued from La-La Land | Previous Challenge Entry
By LINDA GERMAIN
06/08/23 -
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I remember the profound lesson I learned when I was so taken with a shallow, well-to-do family who had a girl about my age. My mother let my foolishness ride for a while until it was time to confront me with loving boldness.
“Carolina, you do not need to keep staring at those people. You don’t know who they are. They aren’t even around on the weekends. Come on and set the table.”
“But Mom, they have the cutest little new dog. I want one like that.”
Poor Mom sighed. I knew the talk was coming--the one about pets costing more money than we had in our budget.
Nonetheless, I had seen enough of the girl’s beautiful clothes and the parents grilling steaks on the patio to know we fell short of that kind of perfection. They never seemed to have disagreements. The father was handsome, even when puttering outside.
As I walked around the kitchen table doling out mismatched plates and forks, I couldn’t leave it alone.
“I think they have a maid.”
Mom was trying to retrieve chicken and rice baked with mushroom soup and onion rings from the oven.
“What did you say, dear?”
I felt misunderstood and pouty. “Oh, skip it.”
Like clockwork, Dad came in from work right on time. He always had a happy face and a round of hugs for us. He never failed to say,” Hmm, what smells so good?” In later years, I realized what a comfort that had been to a blossoming, starry-eyed young girl.
As Mom and I washed dishes she asked, “Do they go to church?”
I was lost in planning how to talk to Dad again about a pet.
“Uh, who?”
She stopped, hands on her hips, and stared at me until I came back to earth.
“Those people you are so crazy about. By the way, what’s their name?”
She poured some ice-cold lemonade and motioned for me to sit with her.
I was a little tardy in my answer. “No, I don’t think they do.”
Now that I had her full attention, I couldn’t stop giving my report on a family I didn’t know, only watched.
“The girl’s name is Penny. They call the dog Scooter.”
Dad joined us with his predictable saying about what to make when life gives you lemons. He asked if my homework was done and if I had studied my Sunday school lesson. Mom reminded me to change my sheets and get my blue blouse for her to mend. I knew it would be washed and ironed and waiting for me the next morning. She always went the extra mile for us.
It was such a mystery to me back then how my charming father usually seemed to know more than he let on.
“Are you talking about those folks named Grady? He’s a fancy lawyer and I read she likes to decorate and get her hair done. I’m pretty sure they don’t go to church.”
Again with the church!
I looked aghast at both parents, almost too embarrassed to claim them.
“Oh, Dad!” I was nearly in tears.
He continued with that all-knowing little grin he used when teasing me.
“I don’t think you will be seeing them anymore.”
“What? Why?”
“Carolina, sweetie. I just heard on the news how the dad character is in trouble, the mother disappeared, and Penny, older than she looks, left for college. They’ve been canceled!”
Mom patted my arm. “They’re just actors, honey. They were reading lines from a script.”
“Well, of course, I knew that, but they seemed so happy on TV. It was fun to imagine being in a rich, cool family.”
The next day when I got home from school there was a box waiting for me. It was full of small round holes and wrapped with a red ribbon. A scratchy noise was coming from inside.
Scooter didn’t seem like the right name for a gorgeous copper-colored, sweet, huggable puppy, but Penny fit her just fine.
My good, wise, always supportive, and good-humored parents and their unfailing guidance kept us very rich. Turns out they were really the cool ones after all.
_____
Proverbs 1:8 NLT
My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
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