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Topic: The Book Store/Library (06/03/10)
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TITLE: A Little Bit Of Heaven | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gary Morris
06/10/10 -
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Our summer vacation began as most vacations do. We were up late packing all the things we could not live without in the following week. After taking an extended nap, we loaded the luggage into the family van and headed off to our rustic rental in the heart of the Smokey Mountains just before daybreak.
The long trip took us to our usual breakfast stop in Alabama, through our annual pilgrimage in Lookout Mountain and on through the back entrance of The Great Smokey Mountains National Park. We stopped to take pictures of the wildlife, breathe in the cool mountain air and splash in the icy mountain stream. Once we made it to the cabin, we unloaded the luggage and relaxed briefly before heading out to see what had been added to Pigeon Forge since we were last there.
No matter how exhausted we were from our trip, the first night of our vacation had to find us on the streets of Gatlinburg. The sweet smell of fudge filled the air as we mingled with the other tourist on our way up the sidewalk. We rode the chairlift again to the top of the mountain overlooking the city and smiled for the camera as we had every year before.
After taking everything in on one side of the street, we crossed over to make our way back down the street attempting to take everything in as we strolled. I was so exhausted from the hours and miles we had clocked since leaving home. My feet and legs were aching and my body was calling for much needed sleep. However, there were more attractions, more hot dog stands and more fudge shops to visit.
Just before falling head first into my zombie state of mind something caught my ear. For just a brief moment it seemed the angels were singing! Among the late night hustle and bustle of the city I could hear the sweetest sound of music. It wasn’t just any music! It was Christian music! I picked up speed and headed toward the sound.
I was like a thirsty man in the hot desert running to the sound of rushing water. As I drew closer, I noticed it was coming from a small store nestled among the many novelty shops. I pressed through the crowd and found the doors opened wide with cool air blowing out into the warm summer night. A pleasant smell and the most beautiful sound was coming from within.
I could hardly believe my ears! The words, “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. Just to take Him at his word…” filled the air I lifted my head and my eyes caught the elegant sign over the door, “A Little Bit Of Heaven.” I couldn’t hold back the tears! In the moment of my exhaustion I found an oasis in the desert! I found a lighthouse among the sea of chaos.
I quickly made my way inside to find what was literally like “A Little Bit Of Heaven”. There were Christian books everywhere I looked! Beautiful paintings covered the walls. Bibles of every translation were in the shelves. People were smiling and humming to the old hymn.
All of a sudden the fatigue was gone! I was wide awake and my heart was in tune with the beat of the song. “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. Just to take Him at his word. Just to know that Thou art with me, will be with me to the end.”
I plundered through the shelves until the lights began to dim at closing time. As I forced myself to leave, I felt as though I had been to church. No, actually I felt as though I had peeked through the windows of heaven and took for myself “a little bit of heaven”.
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Great descriptions!