Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Home for Christmas (11/20/08)
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TITLE: Follow the Star | Previous Challenge Entry
By Nancy Higginson
11/27/08 -
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“Follow the star,” Someone whispered.
The voice made Jenna jump. She looked around, but no one was near. “Besides,” she thought,“with these clouds I’d never see a star tonight.”
As she turned the corner towards her apartment, she saw the glow of Christmas lights. Continuing to walk, she watched the lights and realized it was a star atop the church a block beyond her apartment. At her building, she paused, gazing at the star, and thought of the whisper she had heard.
“Oh, why not!” she said. Being in no hurry to go to her empty apartment, she continued toward the church.
Outside the small church, the choir was singing Christmas carols. The youth group had a table set up with baked goods and hot cocoa, and a jar with some cash. She made some quick calculations; cookies and hot cocoa were too frivolous for her meager budget. She turned, hoping to walk away before anyone approached her with a sales pitch.
“Miss,” a young man called.
With a sigh, Jenna turned back towards the church.
“You didn’t get anything to eat or drink,” the young man said, holding out a cup of cocoa and a plate of cookies.
“I can’t afford those tonight,” she admitted, swallowing her pride.
“We aren’t selling. This is our Christmas gift to our neighbors.” He offered the goodies once more.
“But people have been dropping money in the jars,” she countered.
“Those are donations,” he explained. “Each year we raise money for a charity; this year we picked Orphan Foundation of America. The goodies are free; no strings attached.”
“Thank you,” she said, accepting the goodies.
As she sat to eat, another man took out his Bible and began to read the Christmas story from Luke. He spoke of the Son of God and how we were all God’s children. He told them the Father loved all His children so much that He gave them the gift of His Son.
Tears stung her eyes. How she wanted to be someone’s child, and to feel a father’s love. She choked back a sob as she rose to go.
“Honey, are you okay?” asked an elderly woman. “What brought sad tears on this joyous night?”
The woman’s kindness opened the floodgates. Jenna shared her fears and loneliness with this stranger.
“Poor child,” she said, giving Jenna a hug. “You are not alone. No matter what, God is there and so are His people. Come inside and meet some of His people. We’ve been praying for you.”
“Praying for me? But you just met me.”
“I’ll explain.” She said taking Jenna’s arm. “Each year, we pray for the charity that we are raising donations for. This year we asked God to not only bless them; we also asked that He would guide us to someone in our neighborhood we could help personally. For weeks we have prayed, and each time we thought we had found the right person, God said no. Tonight He said yes.”
“You want to help me? You don’t even know me.”
“God knows you and He wants you to know Him. He sent you to us tonight.” She laid her hand on Jenna’s arm. “He wants you to come into His family; to make Him part of your life. No matter what, we are here to help you.”
“I want Him in my life, but I don’t know how.”
The woman shared with Jenna the plan of salvation, and prayed the sinner’s prayer with her. Through the night Jenna was prayed over and counseled.
Christmas morning, Jenna walked into the church knowing she had been given many great gifts. Not only had she received salvation, she now had a family and a church home for Christmas.
Footnote:
Every year, thousands of children age out of foster care. Sadly, many have no safety net, no training, nothing to help or guide them in the adult world. Orphans of America, and many other charities, offer mentoring, scholarships, emergency medical care, and more to these young people.
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