A GIFT FROM GOD
Cindy was spending the weekend with her Aunt Sophie.
Aunt Sophie lived in a big old house on the edge of town. She was really smart and taught English at the college...she had five cats and always let Cindy sleep with the smallest one...Noodles.
Cindy was excited because this weekend Aunt Sophie was going to teach her to make her famous pumpkin pie. Cindy loved pumpkin pie and since she just turned nine, she was now old enough to make one.
Her mom dropped her off at Aunt Sophie’s. Cindy kissed her mother on the cheek and told her she loved her. She grabbed her green backpack out of the back and headed up the stone walk to Aunt Sophie’s house. It was November, and the yellow and orange leaves danced around the yard every time the wind blew.
Cindy pressed the doorbell and waited. Aunt Sophie greeted her at the door with a big smile. Noodles and the other cats were waiting around the door...Cindy was careful as she stepped over them.
The house looked different. Her aunt loved to read and normally had books all over the house, but Cindy couldn’t spot a single one. Aunt Sophie brought out a
tray of hot cocoa and sugar cookies; two of Cindy’s favorite things. She drank the cocoa and ate a bite of cookie. The cookie didn’t taste as good as usual.
Aunt Sophie made the best sugar cookies in town...but these tasted like they came from the store. Cindy smiled at her aunt and forced the rest of the cookie down.
Aunt Sophie looked different...she looked tired. Cindy wondered if Aunt Sophie was getting sick. Lots of the kids and teachers at school had been sick with the flu, so it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for Aunt Sophie to be sick too. Cindy decided she would let Aunt Sophie take it easy this weekend...she would take care of her aunt for a change.
When she took the tray into the kitchen, she noticed there were dirty dishes piled up in the sink. Cindy had never seen the kitchen this dirty...there was an empty milk carton and an empty box of sugar cookies on the counter. Cindy picked up the box and stared at it. Something was wrong That night, after dinner, Aunt Sophie and Cindy got into their pajamas and snuggled together on the couch to watch their favorite movie, The Sound of Music. Shortly after the movie started, Cindy looked over at her Aunt Sophie.
“Aunt Sophie, can I ask you a question?” She whispered.
Aunt Sophie stopped the movie and grabbed Cindy’s hand.
“What’s up kiddo?”
“What happened to all your books?” Cindy asked softly.
Aunt Sophie was quiet for a moment.
“I’m a little sick right now, and I can’t see as good as usual.”
Cindy’s lip began to quiver, tears built up in her eyes.
“You’re going to be ok right?”
Aunt Sophie squeezed her hand and kissed the top of her head.
“I don’t know, but I know I’m not alone, God is going through this with me.”
Cindy was crying, she sniffled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Are you scared?” Cindy whimpered.
“In the beginning I was, then one day I was reading my Bible and I read this verse, and ever since I have had this perfect peace about the whole thing.”
“What did it say?”
I Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
The next morning, they awoke to a beautiful sight, snow.
It had never snowed before in November, it was a gift from God. That afternoon, Aunt Sophie was feeling great, well enough to teach Cindy how to make her famous pumpkin pie. They chatted about school and laughed as Noodles attempted to climb the cabinet
to get the pumpkin pie.
It was the best weekend Cindy had spent with her Aunt Sophie, a weekend filled with memories that would last a lifetime.
The Moral of the story…Unleashed:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Regardless of the situation, we are to give thanks…God is in control and whatever happens in our lives, happens according to God’s will. We may not be thankful for the situation, but we are to be thankful in the situation; blessings come to thankful hearts.
So until we see you again remember Jesus loves you and keep your eyes and your heart open to His lessons on this journey through life.
God Bless LC