TITLE: Fingerprint Of God By Marilyn Klunder 01/26/07 |
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This story was written to encourage kids two ways. One, they are created by a perfect God and two, there are people in their lives they can turn to that will help them see God in their lives. Kids don't always have the answers and while it is important for them to have reasoning skills it is all important for them to have adult role models to look that can help them see the answer.
“Hey Sadie, what’s that on your arm?” Screamed Billy at the top of his voice. “Did you get into a fight or something? Or did you just forget to take a bath?” Billy and his friends snickered and laughed as they stepped onto the school bus.
Sadie could feel the rush of blood to her cheeks. Oh great, everyone is staring at the mark on my arm again, she thought. Sadie swallowed the lump in her throat and shouts back at Billy, “Shut up Billy, you know what‘s on my arm.”
Sadie dropped her head so no one could see the tears well up in her eyes.
That’s the only bad thing about the warm summer months thought Sadie, as she started her walk home from school; short sleeves and sleeveless shirts. Sadie’s cheeks still burned from embarrassment as she looked down at the large brown circle on her arm. Everyday I try to cover up this awful birthmark by wearing long sleeved sweaters and shirts. But today it was just too warm; the sweater had to come off.
I hate this birthmark and I hate explaining to everyone what it is thought Sadie. Everything else about me is so ordinary she thought; blonde hair and blue eyes; everything except for this awful birthmark on my arm! Again, Sadie looked down at the large brown circle on her arm. Why me, she thought as she continued walking.
All day long it was the same thing. That dumb old Tommy said if I painted petals around it I could make it look like a sunflower and that made everyone laugh. Just what I want is a big sunflower on my arm! The lady in the school office kept staring over her glasses at it and the substitute teacher in my art class wanted to send me to the school nurse to have it looked at. I was so embarrassed I wanted to hide!
By the time Sadie got close to home, she was really feeling sorry for herself. But when she turned the corner she saw a wonderful surprise.
“Grandma,” she shouted and she took off running for her house.
Everyone should have a grandma just like my Grams she thought. She was round and plump, and always wore a bright flowered shirt with a straw hat, and Grams loved to laugh. But best of all Grams always listened whenever I wanted to talk.
“Hel--looo, my Sadie girl!” called out her grandma from the country. Grams saw the frown on Sadie‘s face.
“What’s that frown on your face? It’s a beautiful day; you should turn that frown the other way around!” Grandma laughed.
“Oh, Grams! I’ve had the most horrible day,” Sadie sighed.
“It couldn’t be that bad. What has happened to turn this bright sunny day into a bad day,” Grandma asked.
“It’s this Grams!” And she pointed to the birthmark on her arm. “Oh grams, isn’t it just awful! I hate this birthmark! Everyday kids make fun of it. Even grown ups ask about it! Why did I have to be born with this stupid mark on my arm,” she cried. “I just hate the way God made me!” And as Sadie finished her last sentence all she could do was fall into her Grandma’s arms and cry.
“I can see we need to have one of our special garden teas,” Grandma smiled, “you go put on your hat and grab the cookies and Kool-Aid, and I’ll meet you in our special place.” Grandma took her kerchief and dabbed at Sadie’s tears.
“O.K. Grams.” Sadie sniffled.
Sadie went into her house and put on her hat. She placed some cookies on a tray and carried the Kool-Aid and cookies to the table in the garden. Grams was already there and waiting for Sadie.
“Come and sit down Sadie and tell me what‘s on your heart,” Grams said.
“Oh Grams, God made me so ordinary in so many ways except for this mark on my arm. The thing He made different about me embarrasses me terribly. I hate this awful birthmark!” Again the tears trickled down Sadie‘s cheek.
“I just don’t understand Grams, did God make a mistake? Am I really suppose to have this mark on my arm? Am I being punished or something?”
“No Sadie, God doesn’t make mistakes. God loves you very much and He made you very special and He certainly would never do anything to hurt you. Didn’t He give you big beautiful blue eyes that match the blue in the sky?” she asked.
“Well, yes,” Sadie sniffled.
“And didn’t He give you golden blonde hair that shines like silk.” Grams pulled the hat from Sadie’s head and revealed the golden glow of her hair in the sunshine.
Sadie started to smile and Grams placed her hand under Sadie’s chin.
“And just look at that smile,” said Grams, “ He created every part of you special including the mark on your arm. And what about these fingers that plays a beautiful song on the piano.” Grams picked up one of Sadie’s hands and turned it over.
“You see Sadie, just like the fingerprints and lines on our hands and fingers are special and unique, so too is each one of us. He created us all to be different. We are His special and unique fingerprint. There is no one else in the world like you! Every part of you was created perfectly by a perfect God.” Grams smiled.
Sadie thought for a moment and then looked at Grams.
“You mean my birthmark makes me special and God made me special birthmark and all?” Sadie asked.
“That’s right Sadie, birthmark and all.” Grams answered.
“And the next time someone asks you about the mark on your arm, just tell them it’s the fingerprint of God. Do you feel better now?” Grams asked.
“I always feel better after talking with you, Grams.” And Sadie reached across the table and planted a kiss on Grams soft round cheek.
“Good, let’s get started on these scrumptious cookies and Kool-Aid! Peanut butter or chocolate chip,” asked Grams. And Grams placed the cookies on Sadie’s plate while Sadie poured the Kool-Aid.
“Mmmm,” moaned Grams, “dee-licious!”
Sadie never again let the questions of her birthmark bother her. And just like Grams said, whenever someone asked, what’s that on your arm? She would just smile and say, “It’s the fingerprint of God!”
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