Congratulations to our October Writing Challenge Winners
It's time to recognize the winners of our October Writing Challenge (which we sponsor in the Southern Christian Writers Conference Facebook group; join it today if you aren't part of the community already). The challenge? Write a devotional based on one of the senses of Fall (taste, touch, smell, etc.).
"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV)
The Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, speaks of a fragrance that spreads the knowledge of Christ everywhere. This idea of aroma evokes thoughts of comfort and home, the kind of scent that envelops us like a warm hug. When we think of grief, we might not immediately associate it with aroma and fragrance, but here we uncover a profound truth: hope can often be discovered in the quiet moments of our lives, even amidst sorrow.
As we journey through life, we encounter seasons filled with joy, laughter, and triumph. Other times, we experience overwhelming grief–a heavy blanket of sorrow that obscures our vision and dulls our senses. During these difficult times we search for signs of hope; reminders that even in our darkest moments, there is a fragrant promise waiting to be discovered.
Think back to a cherished memory—perhaps the smell of a relative’s kitchen, filled with the comforting scent of freshly baked bread or cookies mingling with cinnamon apples and pumpkin spice. Picture the vibrant orange hues of a pumpkin patch, where laughter and joy burst forth like the ripening crops. Imagery of golden leaves dancing in the crisp fall air, accompanied by the sounds of a nearby football game, evokes the warmth of gatherings in cozy sweaters and scarves. These sights and smells transport us to places where love resides, reminding us of joy and beauty, even if they carry a tinge of longing.
Though grief may mask that joy, it doesn’t erase it. In times of loss, we may feel the weight of the world upon us. Our hearts heavy. Yet, just as the scent of evergreens brings refreshing clarity to a somber day, we must remember that hope blooms in the barren landscapes of sorrow. This hope is Jesus Christ, who promises to wrap us in His love and comfort.
When we feel desolate, we can recall the moments when we felt His presence—when we sat quietly and sensed whispers urging us onward. Each experience carries a distinct aroma, reminding us of His faithfulness and the promise that we are never alone in our anguish. Hope doesn’t mean the absence of sadness; rather, it is the ability to embrace the pain while knowing that a future woven with light and potential awaits.
In our grief, we may seek the knowledge of Christ in deeper ways. Just as fragrance lingers long after the source is gone, Christ’s presence can remain in our hearts long after the hardship passes. His love infuses our grief with purpose.
As you navigate life’s complexities, take a moment to reflect on the aromas around you. Breathe in the scents of hope. Let the aromas serve as reminders that hope can live alongside grief.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, as we walk through seasons of grief, help us to recognize the delicate aromas of hope You provide. May we be attentive to how You surround us, strengthening our hearts and guiding us through sorrow so we can testify to the beauty that arises from pain. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I came to explore the wreck.
The words are purposes.
The words are maps.
I came to see the damage that was done
and the treasures that prevail.
I stroke the beam of my lamp
slowly along the flank
of something more permanent
than fish or weed.
Although the poem was interpreted as an extended metaphor relating to the struggle of women’s rights and liberation, I always interpreted it much differently.
We were so pleased with the many submissions we received, and had such a difficult time selecting our winners. (Congratulations and THANK YOU to everyone who submitted. We carefully considered each of your works, and honestly feel like all of you could have won.)
Congratulations to October's top winners:
1st place: Patti Schultz2nd place: Sunshine Adams3rd place: Ellen Kolman
Enjoy their winning stories below.
"The Aroma of Hope in Grief"
by Patti Schultz
"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV)
The Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, speaks of a fragrance that spreads the knowledge of Christ everywhere. This idea of aroma evokes thoughts of comfort and home, the kind of scent that envelops us like a warm hug. When we think of grief, we might not immediately associate it with aroma and fragrance, but here we uncover a profound truth: hope can often be discovered in the quiet moments of our lives, even amidst sorrow.
As we journey through life, we encounter seasons filled with joy, laughter, and triumph. Other times, we experience overwhelming grief–a heavy blanket of sorrow that obscures our vision and dulls our senses. During these difficult times we search for signs of hope; reminders that even in our darkest moments, there is a fragrant promise waiting to be discovered.
Think back to a cherished memory—perhaps the smell of a relative’s kitchen, filled with the comforting scent of freshly baked bread or cookies mingling with cinnamon apples and pumpkin spice. Picture the vibrant orange hues of a pumpkin patch, where laughter and joy burst forth like the ripening crops. Imagery of golden leaves dancing in the crisp fall air, accompanied by the sounds of a nearby football game, evokes the warmth of gatherings in cozy sweaters and scarves. These sights and smells transport us to places where love resides, reminding us of joy and beauty, even if they carry a tinge of longing.
Though grief may mask that joy, it doesn’t erase it. In times of loss, we may feel the weight of the world upon us. Our hearts heavy. Yet, just as the scent of evergreens brings refreshing clarity to a somber day, we must remember that hope blooms in the barren landscapes of sorrow. This hope is Jesus Christ, who promises to wrap us in His love and comfort.
When we feel desolate, we can recall the moments when we felt His presence—when we sat quietly and sensed whispers urging us onward. Each experience carries a distinct aroma, reminding us of His faithfulness and the promise that we are never alone in our anguish. Hope doesn’t mean the absence of sadness; rather, it is the ability to embrace the pain while knowing that a future woven with light and potential awaits.
In our grief, we may seek the knowledge of Christ in deeper ways. Just as fragrance lingers long after the source is gone, Christ’s presence can remain in our hearts long after the hardship passes. His love infuses our grief with purpose.
As you navigate life’s complexities, take a moment to reflect on the aromas around you. Breathe in the scents of hope. Let the aromas serve as reminders that hope can live alongside grief.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, as we walk through seasons of grief, help us to recognize the delicate aromas of hope You provide. May we be attentive to how You surround us, strengthening our hearts and guiding us through sorrow so we can testify to the beauty that arises from pain. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
"God's Renewal, Pumpkin, and the Wreck"
by Sunshine Adams
Autumn has always been a time for reflection and renewal for me as God shows me His immeasurable abundance during this time of year. I love Fall because I see symbols of God’s renewal in nature as well. Here in Alabama, in the early morning hours, the air is crisper, with leaves changing into spectacular shades of red, orange, and brown. With all this external change from the summer months, I feel slightly sad until I hear the delicious sound of fallen leaves crunching underfoot. Yet another symbol of change and renewal.
Lately, the sun has been shining every day, a constant reminder of God’s continual love shining down on us. While walking the dog before work, I relish not only the feel of the sun on my face, the sights of nature changing all around, but also the arrangements of neighborhood pumpkins on doorsteps. And then there is always the obligatory shopping for Trader Joe’s “pumpkin spice everything” collection. My sister and I trade “notes” on all things Trader Joe’s and make recommendations to each other.
Pumpkin. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bars, pumpkin spice lattes. I feel a renewal of spirit when Fall hits and the tastes and smells contribute to this feeling of renewal. Pumpkins are a symbol of abundance, prosperity, and good fortune. Much food is produced from a single seed. Is this how God sees us too?
Aren’t we all just one small seed with the potential to bear much fruit? Pumpkins symbolize fall because they represent natural abundance and nature's goodness. For me, pumpkins are a symbol of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and grace.
American poet Adrienne Rich wrote a beautiful poem called “Diving into the Wreck,” and the following stanza struck a chord with me as I was graduating from college and officially entering the workforce as a young adult:
I came to explore the wreck.
The words are purposes.
The words are maps.
I came to see the damage that was done
and the treasures that prevail.
I stroke the beam of my lamp
slowly along the flank
of something more permanent
than fish or weed.
Although the poem was interpreted as an extended metaphor relating to the struggle of women’s rights and liberation, I always interpreted it much differently.
I saw Rich’s poem as abandoning oneself to the general struggle of life, exploring the adventure God has planned for his children, and His renewal of our spirit.
In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul writes “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” God’s assurance of His abundance and renewal of our spirit is clear. He provides for us, but we overlook the notion of “abundance.” He provides so much more than we ever asked for, but what to do in the waiting? We oftentimes become
impatient for change. For God to intercede in our lives, in our suffering, not realizing the season of waiting can be a blessing in of itself. He might be preparing us for a greater responsibility for which we are currently unprepared. We can’t see the future. We of course don’t have that sought-after crystal ball; however, I believe our choice is simple. Clear. We must abandon ourselves to God. In the waiting, there is His renewal of our spirit. We see through a glass dimly. His plan is perfect, and we must move forward in the knowledge that all things work for the good of those who believe in Him.
impatient for change. For God to intercede in our lives, in our suffering, not realizing the season of waiting can be a blessing in of itself. He might be preparing us for a greater responsibility for which we are currently unprepared. We can’t see the future. We of course don’t have that sought-after crystal ball; however, I believe our choice is simple. Clear. We must abandon ourselves to God. In the waiting, there is His renewal of our spirit. We see through a glass dimly. His plan is perfect, and we must move forward in the knowledge that all things work for the good of those who believe in Him.
I choose renewal and belief. I choose life and abundance. I choose pumpkins, peace, and prayer.
Please Lord, help remind us that our entrance into Autumn can also be the beginning of the renewing of our mind. Allow the Holy Spirit to help us let go of the past. We believe Jesus can release us from the old life into the new. You are the adventure, God. Take us into “the wreck.” We have assurance that You are
with us in our struggles as well as our triumphs. Thank you for blessing us and keeping us. We love you, Lord. Amen.
“Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world…’” (John 8:12).
Two weeks ago in my kindergarten class, we answered the question: why do leaves change color in autumn? We discovered as the weather cools and the trees prepare to “sleep” the green fades away revealing the true color of the leaf underneath. The more sunlight and food the tree was able to absorb and store, the brighter the true leaf color will be.
So I asked them, how can we shine bright for Jesus? Their answers varied from listening during Bible time, praying, telling others about Jesus, and going to church.
Just like the trees, we need to store up as much spiritual food as we can, so others will see our true beauty: the light of Jesus shining through us.
“He (John the Baptist) was not the Light, but came to bear witness about the Light,” (John 1:8).
I really appreciate the boldness of John the Baptist. He unapologetically proclaimed what he knew to be the truth: Jesus is the Light of the world! The world we live in can be a very dark and scary place. Every day, something horrible is shouted on the news. But, the good news is Jesus overcame sin and death: He lives.
The Bill Gather Trio wrote a beautiful hymn in 1971 that is even more relevant today.
with us in our struggles as well as our triumphs. Thank you for blessing us and keeping us. We love you, Lord. Amen.
"Bright spirits, Bright leaves"
by Ellen Kolman
Two weeks ago in my kindergarten class, we answered the question: why do leaves change color in autumn? We discovered as the weather cools and the trees prepare to “sleep” the green fades away revealing the true color of the leaf underneath. The more sunlight and food the tree was able to absorb and store, the brighter the true leaf color will be.
So I asked them, how can we shine bright for Jesus? Their answers varied from listening during Bible time, praying, telling others about Jesus, and going to church.
Just like the trees, we need to store up as much spiritual food as we can, so others will see our true beauty: the light of Jesus shining through us.
“He (John the Baptist) was not the Light, but came to bear witness about the Light,” (John 1:8).
I really appreciate the boldness of John the Baptist. He unapologetically proclaimed what he knew to be the truth: Jesus is the Light of the world! The world we live in can be a very dark and scary place. Every day, something horrible is shouted on the news. But, the good news is Jesus overcame sin and death: He lives.
The Bill Gather Trio wrote a beautiful hymn in 1971 that is even more relevant today.
“Because He lives I can face tomorrow; Because He lives I can face tomorrow; Because He lives all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future; And life is worth the living just because He lives.”
Storing up Biblical truth has never been more important than the season we are in today.
Dear Lord, thank you for the change of seasons and the reminders that you are in control of our world. Help us to fuel our passion for serving you by studying your Word and praying for others. Protect our hearts and spirits as we shine your light and dispel the darkness. Amen.
Storing up Biblical truth has never been more important than the season we are in today.
Dear Lord, thank you for the change of seasons and the reminders that you are in control of our world. Help us to fuel our passion for serving you by studying your Word and praying for others. Protect our hearts and spirits as we shine your light and dispel the darkness. Amen.
~~~~~
What wonderful words to encourage and inspire us as we move into the Fall season and push headlong into the holiday season. Thank you to Patti, Sunshine, and Ellen for your devotions--and also to the rest of our Southern Christian Writers Conference authors!
Want to get in on our November challenge? Send us a short fictional story (less than 1000 words) that takes place during a Thanksgiving gathering. It can be any style or tone, and we can't wait to hear from. you! Email it to scwritersconference@gmail.com and please submit it by Nov. 22.
We'd also love for you to submit to the next edition of Anchored Magazine; this digital magazine published by the SCWC features short fiction, personal (true) essays, and poetry. Please submit your pieces to us by Nov. 10 to qualify for the Winter issue which comes out on Dec. 5. (Read our Fall issue here.) The theme for Winter is "A Love-ly Season."
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