"Why do we have hope in tommorow?" - Contest Winners

August 04, 2017



A month ago, I hosted a contest on my blog with the theme "Why do we have hope in tomorrow?". Today the results are finally being published! ...thanks to all who participated in this contest. I think it's really important to verbally express what we believe, and this was a big question but all of you had such beautiful, heart touching answers. Your answers made me stop and think about life. And isn't that what writing is all about?
So I'm really proud of you two winners...
*drum roll*
Ivie and Lisa.

♡ Ivie - You wrote a beautiful discourse. It was real and heartfelt and it was alive. As I read your entry I felt guided through a cycle of life that I myself have gone through. Especially because I was discouraged, your story slammed things back into perspective and your word were a shining light to guide me back on God's path. I am honored to publish your story on my blog. Thank you so much for entering and sharing your heart and God's truth with us, you really packed a punch in that 500 word limit!

♡ Lisa - Your story grabbed my attention right away, because I have found myself at the edge of that cliff. The way you portrayed love, hope, light...was achingly gorgeous. As I reached the end, I realized...this isn't just a story. It is what goes through many of us each day...as we fall down in the mess of our mistakes and problems, the only thing that can help us out is looking up to Him...Our Sun. For 500 words? Honestly, all I can say is...wow. Great job Lisa!



The Pain ~ By Ivie Brooks


 The Pain. It would hold me, bring me to my knees in tears. It wasn't a physical pain. It wasn't completely mental, either. It hurts the heart, breaks the spirit, leaves you feeling crushed, but never truly leaves. It stays. It waits for you to have a good day so it can ambush you.

 When you think you've gotten rid of it, when you think you're safe, it returns with a vengeance. It takes control of you. You become addicted to the pain. Addicted to how you feel. You make it normal. It has a name: Anxiety.

Depression sets in. Stress moves in. The anxiety grips and shakes you. You're pretty much consumed with pain. It flows completely inside you.

 Now all you have is pain and tears. You let the pain take control and you end up lashing out at others, the ones you care about, until you're all alone. But that's what you wanted, right? To be left alone to wallow in your misery?

 It's all gradual, but it happens. You feel no purpose, no point, no hope, hurt, lost, and depressed. You're not at a point of ending it all, nor will you ever be ... but you wonder what your point is.

 Why are you here? What was the plan? Why are you alone?

 But ... you're not alone. There's Someone who's been through it all before you did, and He did it to save you.

 You know you are loved. You know there is a plan. You know there is a purpose made by an all knowing, all loving God. But the pain is still there. It will take time. It will take healing. But you'll get there.

 This is why you should always have hope for tomorrow. Another day to get it right. Doesn't mean you will, but everyday can be better. He placed you here for a purpose. There is a reason why you are here. Everything will fall into place.

Look for tomorrow. The fresh page. The new day. You'll find your purpose if you keep pressing on.

_______

The Sun is Still There ~ By L. E. Long

When he reached home, he found there was a message from his sister, scrawled on a piece of paper: “I’m not coming back. I’m can’t do it anymore. I’m sorry - so sorry.”

 And that was it. Then he was running; he really didn’t know what he was doing, but he was already out the door, running for her.
 . . .

 She was running. She didn’t know where she was going, but she didn’t care anymore. The forest was foggy; the ground was wet. The overcrowding branches slapped her face. She had fallen again and again; she was filthy, covered in mud.

Thunder clapped overhead, and tears blurred her vision.

 Then she broke through the trees into clear air, and suddenly she was tripping, slipping, and sliding over the grass.

 She found herself hanging off a cliff, her fingers, raw and painful, somehow having gripped the sharp, rocky edge.

 “God,” she whispered, and closed her eyes.
 . . .
He shut his eyes against the rain. Where would she run? Then he remembered. She used to pray on the edge of a cliff that overlooked the river and the city on the other side.

“God,” he breathed. “Don’t let her do anything stupid.”
 …
She breathed raggedly, crouching on a narrow ledge below the cliff’s edge, staring at the sheer drop below her. The river churned, and lightning flashed.

 She remembered the agony on the faces of the starving children. The man with the knife. His cruelty. His threats. Their bodies on the ground. The floor soaked red with their blood.

 She shuddered. She heard someone frantically yelling her name.
 …
 “Adrienne,” he called, as gently as he could. “Come back. It’s not the end.”

 She didn’t move, and replied almost too softly to hear, “Yes it is. It’s over.”

 “Adri,” he said, “ remember when you told me you would do what was right, whether for better or for worse?”

 “It was for worse... worse than it has ever been! I killed them all, Cay!” She screamed then, and it ripped his heart. She gripped the ground with her hands like claws. “He killed them all because of me! And I promised I’d save them!” Her voice died in a whimper. “I’ve failed.”

“Hey,” he said, “remember, the night is always dark, but tomorrow brings the sun. It’s not the end of hope.”

 “Tell me how!” she demanded. “Evil doesn’t just disappear.”

 “The light chases it away. Remember how you wanted to shine and change the world?”
 He heard her sob. “But I didn’t. I don’t shine. I’m not the sun...”

 “But you were not asked to be the sun,” he replied quietly. “You were called to be the moon. You were meant to reflect the sun in the night.”

 For a long time she just crouched there, until the sun peeked through the grey. Then finally she rose, and looked at him.

 “God is our sun,” he whispered. “ And he never changes. He’s the same forever. Hope remains, because he is our hope. ”

_______




 Please go check out Ivie and Lisa at their blogs and follow them! 
 Let's Talk! <3 Why do you have hope in tomorrow? What did you think of the stories?
Join us in the comments below!


Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
 let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, 
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners,
 so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
(Hebrews 12:1-3)

You Might Also Like

31 comments

  1. OHMYGOSH, Lisa, I don't know when you'll be coming on here, but your story was AWESOME!! I want it to be a full novel. That was beautiful. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. You did an amazing job and you were super descriptive. I'm awestruck. <3

    Anna, thank you so much for publishing mine. I have a little backstory I wanted to share. I actually wrote this a few days before you even announced a contest. I was at a low point in my anxiety and when you announced the contest, I knew God was telling me to enter it. That I would help someone out there know that there is more than anxiety to this life.

    With a few modifications thanks to my alpha (my mom) I submitted and was freaked out the moment I did. I was nervous because I've never submitted my work to be read by anyone but myself and it was scary at first. My mom kept reminding me of what I felt God telling me.

    I hope God leads this to help people. My only wish is He uses me as His vessel through my writing. It was an honor to do this. Thank you so much. Thank you for featuring my story. I'm glad you liked it.

    God bless you! <3 <3

    iviewrites.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ivie, honestly THANK YOU for writing it. You have no idea...I first read it when you submitted it and it flew past my head because I was really busy and drowned in all the unimportants. I came back to this today and I was WOW. I needed it so bad. You brought tears to my eyes no kidding. <3

      A huge thanks to you and your mom. <3 You definitely helped me return my gaze to the Lord instead of my problems. You did a beautiful job Ivie! This is why I am so honored to share your story on my blog...I hope it can reach many and touch them as much as it touched me.

      God Bless you Ivie! <3 <3 <3

      Delete
    2. I'm just so glad you liked it. You've put a HUGE smile on my face this evening. I'm glad it helped you. The Lord works in wonderful ways and I feel He planned this all along. Thanks again. :D
      <3 <3 <3

      iviewrites.blogspot.com

      Delete
    3. He really does! I'm all smiles at reading this too :D <3

      Delete
    4. Eep Ivie THANKS SO MUCH GIRL!!! Yours was so lovely too and guess what I like second person pov! And like Anna said it packed a punch and was just so TRUE. <3

      Full novel? It actually required backstory plotting a lot more than I expected. If you want to know the details...

      THANKS AGAIN BOTH YOU. YOU ARE BOTH AWESOME <3 <3

      Delete
    5. I replied to your comment below, but I'm just going to do it again here, lol. Your story was just so beautiful. I'm so glad you liked mine.

      Thanks again to Anna for hosting this.
      I'm still smiling.
      <3

      iviewrites.blogspot.com

      Delete
  2. WOW to Lisa and Ivie!!

    Both of you were really successfull in capturing those emotions connected to anxiety, despair and hope. Believe me, that's not easy to capture those highs and lows in the same work.

    Congrats to you both, you truly deserve it!

    Catherine
    catherinesrebellingmuse.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Catherine! I'm so happy you like it. It was definitely something I was nervous to put out there, but I know God is going to work through me and use it for His Will. I just wrote from the heart.

      I'm fangirling over Lisa's. Its so amazing. She captured pain so well and the story gripped me and held me to the very last word. She was sooooo awesome! :D
      <3 <3 <3

      Delete
    2. Well said Catherine, both are incredible writers and I was lucky to have them on my blog. <3

      Delete
    3. Awww guys thanks once more ^.^

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Definitely <3! :) You'll have to enter next time ;)

      Delete
  4. Wowza, these are both so amazing! Both entries absolutely hooked me and made me feel their very raw emotions. Congrats to both winners, and thank you for hosting this wonderful contest Anna! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aren't they! <3 These two are stellar writers! <3
      Thank you for reading the stories Melissa! <3 And commenting ^.^

      Delete
  5. Wow, Ivie and Lisa! Those stories blow my mind!!! That is inspiration and hope right there! In those stories!!!

    (Anna, I would have entered but I've been crazy busy! I'm sorry.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is! They blew that question away into a sunburst of meaning!

      I totally understand! Life has been the same for me...but this is definitely not the last contest I'm hosting and I would love to have you for those! <3

      Delete
  6. Ahhhh THIS WAS TERRIFIC! THANK YOU EVERYONE! And thanks for doing this amazing contest Anna! It was such a beautiful prompt - I'd never thought about it in such a way where I had to give such a direct answer. I'd say that in writing this I'VE LEARNED WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE REASON I HAVE HOPE IN TOMORROW. And my short answer is to quote this line from the song - "in Christ alone my hope is found". Fyi in writing this I listened to In Christ Alone by Owl City and Runaway by the Afters.

    Background - Runaway was my inspiration but I had to change details. I wrote this as a 1k story in one day buuut then I had to cut it in half *cue internal screaming* but that was good for me, just saying. Anyway. I loved doing this. I did spot one typo though.

    Congrats to Ivie too but I'm gonna reply to her above comment now and do so in more detail...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm going to reply to your sweet comment here.
      I'm still fangirling. You're story was epic. I kind of skimmed through mine because its weird to see my work somewhere else, but then I was like, "OHMYGOSH, Lisa's is awesome!

      I don't typically write in that point of view and short was intended to be a way to air our my feelings for my eyes only. But God led me to put it out there. It was scary at first, but now I feel so happy. I just pray it helps someone.

      Your story was just so awesome! (I have a lack of adjectives, sorry.)

      Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so glad you liked it. :D
      God bless you!
      <3

      iviewrites.blogspot.com

      Delete
    2. Thank YOU Lisa!!! <3 You did a GORGEOUS job and thanks for sharing the background...man I'm loving all the friendship going on in the comment section! :D <3 You guys are all incredible <3

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. It really was! I'd love to have you too next time! ;)

      Delete
  8. Wow. What creative and thought provoking answers to your question!

    Somehow I missed the post introducing the challenge, otherwise I would've tried to enter. Looking forward to the next one! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was so blown away by these answers too!
      Definitely look out for the next one because I would LOVE to have you! :)<3

      Delete
  9. Congrats to Ivie and Lisa! I love their pieces-- they both deserve to be winners. <3

    xoxo Abigail Lennah | ups & downs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They really do! <3 Thanks for reading and commenting Abby! ^.^ <3

      Delete
  10. These are so stunningly beautiful!
    Like woah, so speechless.
    I just found your blog through Olivia's, and I'm in love!
    elissa // letters-to-jayne.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was my reaction!
      I'm so happy to see you here Elissa and I'll definitely have to check out your blog! <3:)

      Delete
  11. Oh my gosh Ivie and Lisa! I honestly have no words for how wonderful your writing is, these are so amazing!!!! You both did a great job on capturing how pain is felt and I really needed to read them.

    Great contest Anna!
    I hope you do more in the future and maybe I will participate then!

    -Lia
    catholicgirlstuff.blogspot.com
    lilahsmusicals.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I definitely will and you absolutely need to participate, I'll also put a vote up for topics since this was such a success ;) Thanks so much for reading and commenting Lia! <3

      Delete

Hi! Thank you so much for your comments, they always make my day. I allow anonymous users to comment on my blog, but any crass, profane, pointless criticism and mean comments will be deleted. Remember to check back or click notify because I reply to all of my comments!
Have a Blessed day <3

My Pinterest

Let's Be Friends

Name

Email *

Message *

Subscribe