I am thrilled to announce that my flash fiction contest entry “Meira” was accepted and is one of the five finalists at The Untold Podcast (untoldpodcast.com) in the Untold Picture Contest.

This story began as a simple tale of noble self-sacrifice but somehow became much more.  After receiving the random photo per contest rules, I spent weeks pondering a variety of story elements and ideas before settling on Meira, a feminine version of the Hebrew name Meir, which means “one who illuminates” or “to shine light”.

I wrote the story while I was in Iceland in April for a chess tournament.  That trip, to compete in an international tournament in Iceland, had been a bucket-list item for me since my third brain surgery.  After the tournament I had two extra days due to a Delta Airlines schedule change, so I spent one of them writing and revising my story.

At the time, I felt it was a decent attempt, especially since I am a new author, and better than my prior year’s submission.  After harshly cutting in several places to get it under the strict 1,000 word limit, carefully wordsmithing elsewhere, and several re-readings, I finally felt ready to submit.

A few moments later, I felt strangely compelled to read my story again.  This was after submitting it … why would I do this?  So I did, and was astonished at how the text (miraculously?) was laced with metaphors for Christ’s atoning sacrifice, and His victory over sin and death to set His children free.  I don’t recall being aware of all my word choices or imagery I placed in the story.  I credit God for this, not myself.

At the time of this blog post, my story is the third of five stories being published in the contest during August 2019.  Voting opens after all five stories have been aired.  Only time will tell if my entry garners any further accolades.

Thank you God for an opportunity to shine the light of Christ in this fallen world!