Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Birth (infancy) (08/20/09)
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TITLE: Heaven's Other Nursery | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joshua Janoski
08/27/09 -
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Lemuel ‘s clipboard rested in the palm of his left hand while he made notes with the pen in his right. He stopped at the next bassinet setup in a line that stretched farther than the eye could see. Each cradle was formed from fluffy white clouds that floated ethereally in the air.
“Good morning, Lemuel.”
Lemuel turned to see Layla hovering above him.
“Hey Layla. Ready for another day here in the nursery?”
“I’m always ready. But before I tend to the toddlers, I want to mention something. A young angel named Nathaniel volunteered to help us out. I told him that you might like some help. You have a special assignment to complete, right?”
“Yes, but I can’t entrust that job to just anyone, Layla! I need someone with a genuine heart, and it will take time to find the right person.”
“Well, he is stopping by this afternoon. Please give him a chance, Lemuel. Talk to him and feel out the situation. He just wants to help, and you know the Master has called us all to serve.”
“Yeah, um ok. I’ll talk to him later.”
The angel quickly put his attention back onto his clipboard and whispered under his breath.
Rachel…no…Darla… maybe you’re an Emily?...
***
“Mr. Lemuel?”
Lemuel stopped taking notes. He paused for a moment in silence before turning around and addressing the young angelic being standing behind him.
“Nathaniel?”
“Yes sir. Layla told me I could…”
“Hold on a minute! I know what Layla told you, and while I would be happy to help you, I need to know something first. Why do you want to work in this nursery?”
“I love children, and I think it would be fun.”
“FUN? You want to work here because it’s FUN? This is Heaven! Everything up here is fun! You can find fun just about anywhere, except here. This nursery is serious business!”
Lemuel’s loud tone startled Nathaniel causing him to step backwards a few feet.
“I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean it to sound like I was just here to goof off.”
Lemuel took a deep breath.
“This job can be tough sometimes. I’m sorry for reacting that way. I need to get back to work.”
Nathaniel examined a nearby bassinet. A beautiful baby girl lay inside it giggling.
“Mr. Lemuel…if you don’t mind me asking, why don’t any of these babies have nametags? In the other nurseries the Master tags the cradles with the names that the parents are going to give the babies when they arrive down below.”
Lemuel’s eyes became glassy as if he was fighting back tears, and no tears were allowed in Heaven.
“This nursery is a special one, and I have been given a special task. The Master appointed me to name these babies, because they never made it out of their mother’s wombs. Their births were abruptly ended.”
“Why would a mom reject her child? What kind of horrible woman decides to…”
Lemuel threw his hand over Nathaniel’s mouth.
“Quiet! You don’t understand! Many of these woman felt like they had no choice. Most were young and scared, some victims of crimes. Many were talked into it by other people. Their decisions may not be right to us, but everyone on Earth already judges them for it. Let’s not do the same. The Master loves them and so should we.”
Lemuel’s ears perked up as he listened to a still small voice whispering to him.
“Yes, Master. I agree. It’s time.”
Lemuel motioned for Nathaniel to follow him over to the edge of a cloud. They peered down to the Earth below.
“I want you to find Sarah. She’s at the East Bay Clinic in Brooklyn, New York. She is about to let her baby go. She is scared and needs to know that she is loved and that the baby inside her is loved too. Go be with her, Nathaniel. Let your words be guided by the Master. And remember, the Master loves these women and their babies. They need to feel that love and not the judgment or lies of the world. Go spread your light!”
Lemuel pushed Nathaniel off the cloud and walked back to the nursery. He picked up his clipboard and looked down at the next bassinet. He smiled at the baby boy sleeping inside.
“We all need His true love.”
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