Submittals: Illustrating the Point

Have you ever tried to write a story? Of course you have. Some english (or other language) teacher made you write at least one! Well, when you have a story to tell, you want to make it interesting to every one who reads it. Case in point. If I were to say, "a man who runs out of water will get thirsty", you would probably respond, "no duh!" then curse me and slam the book shut. But how do you make the same idea interesting? You illustrate it! No, silly, not drawings, although that could certainly create an interest too. What I'm talking about is a living, breathing, thinking explanation of what happens to that man. For instance:

"�..sunburned and near exhaustion, the haggard old man struggled in pain as he attempted to climb yet another wind swept dune. "What's the point", he pondered, "I'll never find my way home alive". Two steps short of the summit, he fell to his knees. It had been a forty-two mile winding journey through scorpion and snake infested desert terrain. The skin on his bare feet and ankles had long since been shredded and worn away by the jagged rocks and burning sand. He was beyond pain. His mind constantly challenged his legs to carry him further, but now it was to no avail. There was just no strength left inside him. Listing to one side, the old man extended his hand to the ground. There, he fell, lying motionless for several minutes. As if on queue, a buzzard began circling overhead. "Classic", he thought, "absolutely classic". The old man rolled onto his side and grabbed the canteen which was strapped to his belt. He shook it, swishing the water from side-to-side as if to calibrate his ration. What he actually held was the balance of his life. The old man grasped the cap, but it wouldn't budge. With increasing desperation, he passed the canteen from left hand to right hand to left hand, each time gripping and turning a little harder. Finally, it gave, squeaking in protest with every turn. The old man quickly raised the canteen, placing his tongue to his lips to stem the precious flow of water. For an instant, all he could taste was the salt of perspiration that had crusted around his mouth, but the water quickly washed the bitter taste away. Forgetting the limitation of his ration, the old man continued to pour the water into his mouth and over his face until it was gone. He had sealed his fate. In anger, the old man sat up and threw the canteen as far as he could, then collapsed to the ground."

How does this story end? That's up to you. It's fictional. But your testimony is real and you know all the thoughts, emotions, feelings and circumstances that surround it. The point is, "illustrating" the concept makes all the difference. Now you know why I need your testimony to complete what the Lord has asked me to share.

God Bless,

Gary Avey

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�1997 Gary D. Avey and Encouragement Ministries