Yeah, Mom, if I win, just like I told you before, I’ll give half of the prize money to charity and use the other half for my college tuition. Please pray for me, Mom… please.
Elizabeth whispered these words into the phone before ending the call. She took a deep breath, slung her bag over her shoulder, and headed to the game show studio.
The cold air outside flushed her cheeks as she walked briskly. The thoughts in her mind raced faster than her steps. The prize money was a staggering $100,000, enough not just for charity but also to save her future and fund her education. Yet, she couldn’t shake off the gnawing nerves and excitement.
As she entered the studio, the bright lights and lively atmosphere only amplified her anxiety. The audience’s chatter filled the space. Then her eyes caught her opponent, Rachel Martin, a young woman with a confident smile and composed demeanor.
The competition began after a brief wait. Question after question was asked, and both contestants were doing remarkably well. The score remained neck and neck, with the audience applauding after every correct answer.
Elizabeth was giving it her all, but the tension was written all over her face. With each of Rachel’s correct answers, Elizabeth’s stomach twisted a little more. Despite her nerves, deep down, she had faith. Her pure intentions for the money reassured her that God was on her side.
Finally, the show reached its climax: the final question. This one would decide the winner. The host’s voice boomed through the studio:
“Alright, here we are at the final question! Whoever answers this correctly will walk away as the champion!”
A heavy silence filled the room. All eyes were on the stage. The host continued:
“Here’s your question: Who wrote the novel *To Kill a Mockingbird*?”
Elizabeth froze. Her mind went blank. She racked her brain, desperate to find the answer, but it wouldn’t come. Time felt like it had stopped. All she could do was silently hope that Rachel wouldn’t know the answer either, so they could move on to another question.
But then, the sound of Rachel’s buzzer broke the silence.
“Harper Lee,” Rachel answered confidently.
The host’s enthusiastic voice cut through the air:
“That is correct! Congratulations, Rachel Martin! You are our grand champion!”
The audience erupted into cheers and applause, but for Elizabeth, it was as if the world had gone silent. Her heart sank. She couldn’t believe it was over—just like that. All her hopes and plans for the prize money, for charity, for her tuition, for her mother who had raised her alone, were crushed.
She lowered her head and, in her heart, began to question:
“Why, God? Why didn’t You help me? My intentions were good. Half of the money was for charity… Why?”
Meanwhile, the host’s cheerful voice continued:
“A big thank you to both of our contestants for an amazing competition! And now, a special congratulations to Rachel Martin. Rachel, if you’re willing, would you like to share with us and our viewers what you plan to do with the prize money?”
Rachel, still catching her breath, smiled. She glanced over at Elizabeth before answering:
“Honestly, the prize wasn’t important to me. I just wanted to test myself and my knowledge. But…” she paused and looked back at the audience. “Before the show started, I happened to overhear Elizabeth talking on the phone.”
The crowd murmured with curiosity. Rachel continued:
“Her words stayed with me. She wasn’t just playing for herself; she was playing for others, for a greater cause. She wanted to help her mother and give to charity. That touched me deeply. So, right here and now, I’d like to announce that I’m donating the entire prize money to Elizabeth.”
The audience erupted into applause. Elizabeth, sitting frozen in her chair, couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her eyes welled up with tears as she slowly lifted her head to meet Rachel’s gaze. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she whispered under her breath:
“Thank you, God… thank You.”
The host, moved by the moment, exclaimed:
“This is more than just a competition—it’s a testament to the power of kindness and humanity.”
Elizabeth, still overwhelmed, bowed her head again, this time not in disappointment, but in humility. Sometimes, God’s rewards come from the most unexpected places.
