Skip to main content

advent calender day 16

day 16
Guest post by my friend and fellow author Donna

A really good present

Lise stared at the tree as the lights blinked off and on, then looked back down at the popcorn in her hand. She popped one in her mouth and chewed while she slipped the needle and thread through another piece, careful not to break it. “Why can’t daddy come home for Christmas?”

Her mother glanced down from the step stool then looked back up and finished placing the angel on the tree. “Because he has a very important job, sweetheart. He has to keep lots of people safe.”

Tina watched her daughter scrunch up her forehead as she tried to reason through her next question. Four years was hardly old enough to understand that evil never slept.

“But daddy could come home when the bad people go home for Christmas.”

Tina stepped down and folded the stool, leaning it against the closet door to put away later. She sat down on the couch next to her daughter and picked up the other threaded needle and a handful of popcorn. She looked down into amber eyes. With those golden curls and pixie face, her daughter could be a model for a Christmas angel.

Tina started her own string of popcorn. “The bad people don’t celebrate Christmas, sweetie. They don’t believe in baby Jesus.”

“But mommy, He’s the most special present! Someone has to tell them!”

Out of the mouths of babes...

“Not everyone wants to listen, Sweetie. Not everyone wants to know God.”

The golden eyes blinked at her, the popcorn strings forgotten. “Why not? He loves them. He loves us all.”

Tina smiled and brushed her hand over Lise’s curls. “Yes, He does, sweetheart. Maybe we can tell someone about Him tomorrow.”

Lise sighed and nodded, then rubbed her eyes. “Tomorrow’s Christmas, right?” She asked with a yawn as Tina picked her up.

“Uh huh.”

“That would be a really good present to give to someone,” she mumbled as she laid her head on Tina’s shoulder.

“Yes, it would, Sweetie, yes, it would.”

Comments

Donna B said…
Thanks for sharing my little story!
Marianne Evans said…
Awwwww! Nicely done, Donna!!!

Popular posts from this blog

Phooey Kerflooey: Three Kids And A Puppy vs The Squirrel Of The Apocalypse by Kristen Joy Wilkes

Kristen says "Once upon a time, our family of three young boys welcomed a princess into our home. A furry princess, a princess who ended up weighing more than they did, was terrified of haybales and bags of chicken feed, and refused to drink out of anything but her own special mug. Our boys were charmed by their puppy princess and asked that I write a story based on her. It took me seven years, but finally I present to you  Phooey Kerflooey ! While our own boys delighted in Princess Leia Freyja’s scaredy-cat antics and princess ways, the boys in the story take a bit longer to appreciate Phooey’s gifts. However, I pray that you will enjoy their journey together as they battle the squirrel of the apocalypse and search for perfect peace amidst a storm of chaos. " And I loved this one. It's gone straight back into the TBR pile. A puppy will fix everything.  A boring new house?  Boring house + puppy = adventure!    An attacking squirrel?  Evil squirrel + puppy =...

The Time for Healing by Ramona K Cecil

Winner - Best in Fiction Indiana Faith and Writing Contest 2014 Ginny Red Fawn McLain is determined to hold fast to her adoptive Shawnee culture despite her sudden reentry into her white birth family. She rejects their Christianity, fearing the tenets of the white man’s religion will prevent her from practicing as a Shawnee medicine woman. But her heart refuses to shun her uncle’s young friend and apprentice minister, Jeremiah Dunbar.   Jeremiah Dunbar has never doubted what he would do with his life—he’d follow in his father’s footsteps as a minister of the Gospel. But a mission trip west to the Native American tribes makes him begin to question his future plans. At the discovery of his fellow missionary’s long lost niece living among the Shawnee, Jeremiah is immediately smitten. But unless Ginny Red Fawn McLain joins Christ’s fold—something she adamantly resists—Jeremiah will have to choose between the woman he loves and the work God has called him to do.    G...

Phooey Kerflooey vs The Battle Squirrel by Kristen Joy Wilks

  Phooey Kerflooey has finally found a home of her own. Too bad a raging squirrel found it first! Rasputin the squirrel spends his time stealing snacks, pooing on the counters, and biting tender noses. Phooey’s perfect home has become a perfect storm of chaos! Phooey will do anything for her boys. Almost step on the shiny floor. Mostly go potty outside. Bite a baby carrot in half. Maybe two carrots, or even three! The boys want Phooey to chase Rasputin and save the day, but it’s hard when so many scary things stand in her way. If only Phooey had her pink dolly to boost her bravery. Can Phooey find her courage and chase that bad squirrel out of their lives forever? Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after that. For sure by next week. Phooey will be very brave . . . someday. Theme verse: Isaiah 32:18--My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. My review:  Phooey is back in this wonderful story of the puppy v the battle squirrel. Havi...