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Topic: Directions (02/02/04)
TITLE: Sheltered Directions By Bonnie Levesque 02/09/04 |
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The smell of coffee always hung in the air at Mommom's house. It was warm and comforting. Such a contrast to the craziness next door. Looking back some years later, she knew there were angels on the way to Mommom's house so carefully directing her footsteps then.
Most everytime she found her just sitting and just looking at her own house next door. She would be listening to a beautiful hymn float through the air from the old radio.
It was always such a good, safe place to be . As she satin Mommom's lap, the two of them nestled in a warm, loving hug. She never wanted to leave.
Sometimes on the front porch, the two of them would sit for hours watching the moon as it formed a cross through the rusty screen. Always one of their neighbors walked by on the sidewalk out front and small town talk kept up for what seemed hours. Some nights, she just feel asleep right there on that hard, wooden porch swing.
When Sunday morning came, somehow the little girl would be all dressed down to her little white gloves when her Grandmother's hand reached out and the two of them headed in the direction of the big church on the second corner down. There they would always find a seat right next to her cousin and her mom and dad. They were always in the side pew right under the beautiful stained-glass window where the morning sun would come streaming in. Sometimes their giggles competed too loudly with the brightness of the sun. It would be a contest as to what or who would win first---the warmth of that sun putting the two toddlers to sleep or their giggles gliding on all the spaces of the morning service.
Years later when her fingers danced on the white of the piano keys, she headed in the direction of the big church on the second corner down. Now she would let herself in and out. She was ten now. At her house, there was never any money and certainly none to be found for a piano. As she walked in the side door, she took a long ,deep breath of the calm of that place. Staying as long as she could - sometimes 'til dark. She loved the soothing sound of each key.
When she was twelve, her father made a turn in the direction his life was going. He decided that the whole family would be going now in the direction of the church two blocks over. It was hard for the girl leaving Mommom on Sundays. And, she often wondered how it was then. But,soon the beauty of the scriptures brought direction to her feet and she would head up the tall, narrow steps whenever the church door was open. Years later, after her father died, she found the Bible that she had carried by her side then. She had handwritten the words:
On March 6th, I dedicated my life to Christ, to do whatever he wants me to do. In whatever field of work, he has in mind for me.
Looking back after some years, she knew there were angels along that aisle directing her footsteps so graciously in the direction of the sheltering love of Christ.