Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Christmas Lights (10/30/08)
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TITLE: A Christmas to Remember | Previous Challenge Entry
By Betty Overstreet
11/05/08 -
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The old man walked slowly down the gravel sidewalk, shuffling as he leaned on his walking cane to keep his balance. As he came to the gate, he slowed down even more, coming to a stop and wondering why the child was just sitting on the step, head bent as though deep in thought or perhaps crying.
“Good afternoon to ya’ little missy. A beautiful day it is.” The child didn’t move, just kept sitting there, oblivious to everything except the unhappiness surrounding her.
“ I say, little miss, why are ya’ sitting there all alone instead of running around playing with your friends?” She slowly raised her head and said, ‘I don’t have any friends and Mommy needs me to help her . I’m just trying to think of a way to make the house look pretty so Mommy will smile again.”
“Well maybe I could be your friend and help out. Of course, if we are going to be friends we have to know each other’s names. My name is Mr. Gus. I live over on Maple Street..”
“Could you really be my friend? You look pretty old to play with me but I guess I can tell you my name. I am Alexandria. I was named after a fine lady called a queen. My Mommy just calls me Lexie so I think you could call me Lexie if you want to.”
“Well, Miss Lexie, what is it that makes you look so unhappy today?”, asked Mr. Gus, with a mischievous grin. Perhaps I could help out and make your sad face disapear”.
“Mr. Gus , you would have to be a magic man to take care of my problem. I would really love to make mommy happy again. You see, my mommy has been sick for a while and then she lost her job. Now she doesn’t know how we can possibly have a Christmas to remember and that is what she wants most of all. A tree with bright, blinking lights and bunches of toys for me to play with on Christmas morning.” Oh yeah, we need some food too, you know, to make Christmas dinner. Do you think you can do magic like that? “
“Miss Lexie, I’m not a magic man but I have a friend who can answer prayers when we ask for something special. Maybe you and I could just bow our heads and ask my friend, Jesus, to help you and your mom have a Christmas to remember”.
“Ok, Mr. Gus, I learned all about praying in Sunday School. I guess I forgot to do that since Mommy doesn’t feel good enough to remind me. Let’s do it right now!”
“Dear Heavenly Father”, Gus began. “ Lord you know Miss Lexie and her mommy need a miracle this Christmas. Lord, Lexie isn’t asking for much, Just a Christmas tree full of lights and a few toys and, oh yes, I almost forgot-food for a Christmas dinner. Father, we pray that you will make this Christmas a Christmas to remember for Lexie and her mommy. We ask this in your Son’s name, Amen.”
“Now Miss Lexie, you just go on in the house, give your mommy a big kiss and tell her everything is going to be alright.”
Early the next morning Lexie woke up to the sound of her mommy singing, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…..” As she walked into the kitchen Mommy was smiling and cooking breakfast.
“Lexie, you will never believe what happened! I woke up this morning and I found a Christmas tree all decorated with lights on the front porch. And that’s not all-Lexie, There was a present all wrapped up in pretty paper with your name on it and lots and lots of food! I can’t imagine where it all came from!
Lexie’s face lit up as she exclaimed, “Mommy I know! It was Mr. Gus. He must be an angel, Mommy. He told me we could pray and ask his friend, Heavenly Father, to help us have a Christmas to remember. Mommy, I will never forget this Christmas!”
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