The word count was to be 300 maximum and there was a deadline to meet. Participants on the Inscribe listserve voted and the following selection written by Joyce Harback won the honour of first place. Second place was awarded to Addy Oberlin and Bruce Atchison came in a close third. Congratulations to all.
Here is Joyce's winning entry:
There’s No Place Like Home
by Joyce Harback
I drove away from the babysitter’s home, weeping again. For six months I had been working temporary jobs after being laid off during a company downsizing. Money from the severance package was running out and I was trying the third caregiver for my toddler after two unmitigated disasters. As I gave her my contact information, my son began to cry but she firmly shooed me out the door.
“Crying is healthy,“ she said, “He’ll calm down after you leave.” His volume increased as I ran to the car, blinded by tears. I cried out to God as I drove. He is a God of miracles.
“Please, Lord, is there is ANY way you can make it possible for me to stay home with my boy?” I begged.
“I should be his caregiver. I don’t know how, but I can’t bear to see him cry like that every morning.”
Having rolled my burden over onto God, I wiped my eyes and started my job. After lunch my husband called.
“How are you?” he asked. “Oh, fine,”
Things were pretty crazy at his workplace, no need to burden him with my sadness.
“Now, don’t freak out,” my husband warned, “but my boss says they’re having a hard time finding someone to take that position up north.”
Rainbow Lake was where the road ends. Literally. Only the name was attractive. I knew exactly what he was suggesting. He wanted to apply for the job. It would be a huge promotion. The financial benefits were great.
“Yes,” I said. “Excuse me?” my husband said, shocked.
“Yes. I’m willing to go.” I explained my heart-broken appeal to God from the morning.
“This is the answer to my prayer.” He got the job, I got to be a stay-at-home mom and God got the glory.******************************
Congratulations Joyce!
