| THE MUSTARD SEED....On the phone one night with an elderly relative who felt kinda like Rose in this story....hubby said "She loves your rhymes...write something for her!" "I said '...But what?' " One of those times when you end up really glad the Lord was paying attention!! Another dream, another story! p.s. The relative LOVED it!!! |
The elderly woman tossed and turned But sleep just wouldn't come Her mind was busy listing All the things she hadn't done... This afternoon the doctor'd said That she hadn't very long... They'd done all that they could do The disease was just too strong! It wasn't death that frightened Rose For her faith was in the Lord... What she feared was facing judgement With doubts she could ill afford! She'd never even figured out What her life's mission should have been! Eighty years had flown right by And now she'd reached the end! She was disappointed in herself At not having more to show For all the years that she'd been granted And now it was her time to go! Oh she'd tried to live a good life To spread Christ's message and His Name But feared that when she faced the Father? She'd have to hang her head in shame! Despair and doubt filled up her mind While sleep stayed far away... Then all at once the woman blinked And saw the light of day! She found herself in a garden It's beauty beyond belief! Sunshine, flowers..."It's just a dream!" Rose thought with much relief! Determined to enjoy her sleep Plus whatever the dream might hold She walked easily down a sunlit path Feeling neither sick or old. She reached the crest of a gentle hill And stood staring down the slope At least a hundred people milled about Faces full of joy and hope! Some of them seemed familiar though she couldn't have said their names... Then a man's voice close beside her, said "They know you just the same!" Startled the woman whirled around To see a slender, bearded man Standing beside her on the hill Smiling as he took her hand... "Let's go down and meet them now... Relax, Rose....have no fear!" His voice was soft and very gentle "No one will harm you here!" Though confused...she let him lead her Down the hill into the crowd He pointed out folks here and there Calling each by name out loud! "Hello Flora! Look....it's Rose!! Your angel from the bus!" The girl looked at the old woman smiling, Saying, "Do you remember us?" Poor Rose was quite bewildered She said, "My memory's gotten slack!" She glanced for help to her companion Who smiled, "Close your eyes...think back!" "You were a busy wife and mother Rushing home to cook a meal… Then on the bus you saw a homeless girl Whose need and pain were real! The temperature was freezing But you did not hesitate Stripped off your coat and wrapped her up Even though it made you late! The poor girl tried to give it back Her eyes suspicious and quite wild But you buttoned it on her firmly Saying, "We're all God's children, child!" Rose's face began to glow "Yes!! I remember clearly now!" Amazed for although 60 years had passed Flora looked the same somehow! "And here is Frank!" said the bearded man "Do you remember him as well? He and his wife were your good friends Until he landed in a cell.... An awful day, a pile of stress Led him to a bad decision... His wife and friends all turned their backs The day they sentenced himt to prison... But not you, Rosie....you were there! Visiting faithfully every week!" Frank grasped her hand and bowed his head Too overcome to speak! "You brought him books, your time and prayers,Anything to help him cope! You gave so freely of yourself That Frank received the gift of hope!" |
GO TO PAGE 2 RETURN TO STORIES INDEX RETURN TO SITEMAP RETURN TO FRONT PORCH |
