Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: White (10/29/09)
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TITLE: A New Home | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lenda Blackmon
11/04/09 -
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“Dear God, what have I done?” She whispered. “What was I thinking when I said we would take those children in?”
“You were thinking that they needed a home and we could provide it.” her husband Elmer said. He walked over to her and brushed a strand of graying hair from her face and gently kissed her on the forehead.
“I thought you were outside feeding the dog.” Maggie said. She leaned into her husband and felt his big arms around her. His hugs always calmed her and gave her hope.
“I know we can give them a roof over their heads and food in their little bellies. And lots and lots of love, but Elmer,” a sob caught in her throat, “ we don’t have the money for a Christmas tree much less gifts for all seven of them. From what I understand from the case worker these children have never had a real Christmas.”
Maggie clung to Elmer now and she cried hard, sobs escaping her throat.
Elmer kissed her on top of the head and said, “Now, now, Maggie. Did you forget that we have a God who loves us and wants to meet our every need? The same God who brought these children to us will provide gifts for them. All we have to do is ask.”
“You’re right, let’s pray right now.” she said.
“Ok,” he said as he took Maggie’s hands in his, he prayed.
“Dear God, we lift up these children to you, the four girls, Laney, Marie, Rosie and Betty. The three boys, Tommy, Joseph and Stoney. Lord, bring them to us safely and we pray they will feel at home right away and know that this will be their home from now on. No more foster homes, no more wondering where they will be tomorrow. And Father, please provide Christmas gifts for these children. We trust you, Lord to provide. Thank you. In Jesus name, Amen.”
The next two days were spent getting the bedrooms ready for the children. The girls room with two sets of bunk beds and a dresser that Elmer found at a second hand store and painted pink and white. Maggie added tiny pansies in various colors on the dresser and each drawer had one of the girls names stenciled on it.
The boys room had three beds and a dresser, painted blue and white. Maggie painted little race cars on the dresser and also stenciled the boys names on their individual drawers.
“Finished.” Maggie said, standing back to look at the boys dresser. I really hope they like them.”
“They’ll love it.” Elmer responded.
“We better clean up and get to bed, they are suppose to be here tomorrow. Elmer, I just realized tomorrow is Christmas. What a gift! Seven children delivered on Christmas! Oh, but we still don’t have anything for them, and no tree.” Maggie cried.
“Have faith my love, God is never early but He’s never late. He will answer our prayer.” Elmer assured her.
Christmas morning arrived bright and beautiful. Maggie was watching out the window when she saw the car arrive.
“Elmer! They’re here!” Maggie yelled as she ran and opened the front door. Her seven nieces and nephews piled out of the car and ran to them all shouting. “Aunt Maggie, Uncle Elmer!”
“We didn’t know it was your house we were coming to.” said Laney the oldest girl. “I’m so happy!”
Maggie, Elmer and all seven children stood in a big group hug crying and laughing all at once. Before they could get in the house another car pulled up and then another. Three cars in all. People from Maggie and Elmer’s church got out of them with their arms loaded with gifts and food. Two men carried a big evergreen tree inside and a woman carried a box of Christmas ornaments in behind them.
“What’s going on Aunt Maggie?” asked five year old Marie.
Maggie put her arm around her and said, “God is answering our prayers, sweetie. He is giving all of us the best Christmas ever! Let’s go inside and I’ll tell you all about it.”
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Well done.
Being a foster parent myself, this really touched my heart.
I wasn't clear on some of the details--if Maggie and Elmer were the childrens' aunt and uncle, why weren't the children aware where they were going? Why were they getting details of the childrens' lives from a case worker?
Love the way the church family rallied at the end.
This is very sweet, and I love that you had church people behaving as church people should. It's easy to look the other way sometimes.
Nicely done.