Princess Pearl, P.O.W.E.R. Girl! Book Two - Ch. 13 - God is Not Religious Free Reprint Article

NotifySnack

Christian Articles for All of your Publishing Needs!

LIKE US

Translate this Page Here

Word Count: 1339

Send Article To Friend

Print/Use Article

Contact Tonja Taylor

Princess Pearl, P.O.W.E.R. Girl! Book Two - Ch. 13 - God is Not Religious

by Tonja Taylor
10/11/2021 / Short Stories

"Xi, I have some good news," said Burt, as they sat at the breakfast table. "You will be able to stay with us and do some make-up work online, since there's only a few weeks before the holidays. Then we'll have home school materials for 8th grade starting in January, when Pearl and Robert start back."
Xi looked confused. "You mean I'm not going back to school at Trenton?"
Jesus, please help Xi have peace and trust You! thought Pearl.
Queen Mother touched her arm. "Sweetie, the child protection agency thought it best that you not go back there while things get settled with your mom."
"Ha!" Xi said angrily. "I don't think that woman will ever be settled!" “Xi—“ Pearl said. Xi took another bite of toast. "What if I don't want to do homeschool?!"

Her face looks dark, thought Pearl. Jesus, help her know You love her. And thank You that Robert is still sleeping!
"What about my job?” Xi said, slapping the table. I need the money--"
"Sweetie, I know you're upset," said Pearl's mother, in a soothing voice. "Your world has gone upside down!"
"Yes ma'am, I'm sure you can keep your job," Burt said. "Have you talked to your boss?"
Xi shook her head. "Nah, I don't work again till Thursday after school, and it's all been such a mess, I haven't even called, but he knows my old lady kicked me out." She looked like she might cry. "Can I go back to the room?"
"Can we pray for you?" Pearl asked.
"Not right now," Xi said quietly.
LORD, please give her peace right now, Pearl prayed in her heart.
Pearl's mother got up and motioned for her to come to the refrigerator. "Hey guys, I just remembered we have fresh pineapple to go with the cereal and toast! I cut it this morning."
"Ooh. Yum!" said Pearl. She carried it over to Xi. "Would you like some?"
"No."
Pearl put a small bowlful in front of Xi anyway. She stared at it, then stabbed a couple pieces with her fork. She chewed slowly. "Well, this tastes better than the cafeteria's."
"Yes," said Burt. "Fresh is always best."
"Hey Uncle Burt," said Pearl. "Can we grow some?"
"Sure, Punkin, but you'll have to help me."
"Deal!" said Pearl. "Xi, wanna help?"
"I don't know," she said. "I don't know anything right now." She stuffed her mouth with more food, and looked down.
"Pearl, you and Burt go on to church," said Pearl's mother. "Xi and I are going to stay here this morning. Besides, she needs to meet Robert."
What? Pearl thought. I can't believe Queen Mother is missing church, and letting her miss church! "But--"
Her mother shot her a look that made Pearl realize it was better to say nothing.
"Oh, Mrs. Williams," Xi said, looking up. "You don't have to do that! Won't God be mad if you don't go?"
Burt laughed loudly.
Vivace barked.
Xi looked a little hurt.
Burt smiled at her. "Sorry, Missy, you can relax. Father God is much bigger than that. Besides, there are people all over the world that love Him, and they go to church on different days. And get this--in China, it's already tomorrow, which is Monday."
Xi looked amazed. "That's weird!"
At least she's calmer and listening, thought Pearl.
He continued. "There have been a few times in my life when I didn't go to church. Sometimes I was working. On a rare occasion, I was sick. I just slept in, then either watched the service on TV--now we have the internet--or did my own Bible study and listened to worship music and prayed, or all of that." He smiled. "No worries, girl. The main thing is to focus on Him. He does command us to get together very often with other Believers to hear the Word and worship. But you have a real reason for resting today."
He stood up and started clearing the table. Pearl got up to help him.
"I haven't been to every service either, Xi," she said.
Burt nodded. "Thank God the LORD is not religious--or we'd all be in a mess!"
Xi looked shocked again. "What? I thought that's the whole deal with God--religion!"
"Sweetie," Burt said, "the deal with God and Jesus is a relationship. He is full of grace and truth and mercy! He is the best Friend to all who receive Him. Besides that, He never intended anyone to go to hell; that means to be separated from Him forever!"
Xi just stared and listened.
"When we ask Jesus to forgive us of all we've done wrong, and come into our hearts and be our LORD and Savior, He does." Burt raised his hands. "He makes it easy! He paid the price on the cross, and we get the good stuff! Once Jesus is our Savior and LORD--"
"And Big Brother, and BFF, like I told you already!" Pearl cut in.
"Yes, all that and more,"Burt said, "then God becomes your Father. You are then His child, and part of the Royal Family. Isn't that great?"
"Sure," Xi said. "Right."
Burt continued. "The bottom line is, you've been through some really rough stuff, and your body and mind need to rest. God created you and loves you much more than any performance! Besides, going to church should never be performance. It's to learn more about Him and how He loves us, and who we are in Christ. If we don't go, it doesn't change God. We just miss out. See my point?"
"Oh," said Xi. She ate more pineapple, and seemed uncomfortable. She looked down at Vivace, by their feet. "Does she like this?"
"I'm not sure," said Pearl. "But I'll throw her a piece and see." She put one on the floor, and Vivace sniffed and ignored it.
"Pearl, pineapple is safe for dogs to eat, but since she didn't want it, you get to mop the floor today!" said her mother. She turned to Xi. "God has had to teach me to relax and rest, too. It's been hard, but I'm learning."
"Gee, I'm jealous!" teased Pearl, as she rose and started putting dishes in the dishwasher. "You get to go back to bed. But at least I don't have to put up with Robert today!"
"Pearl, remember your manners," her mother said, and smiled. "He is your little brother, after all."
Pearl nodded. "Well, I hope he's sweet. Xi, you have my permission to bop him if he's not nice to you!" She giggled.
"Pearl, you may be a princess, but you don't have that kind of power," her mother shot back.
Pearl bowed. "All right, O Queen. Now, may I be excused from the royal table to go up the royal stairs and brush my royal teeth?"
Xi smiled. "You people are something."
"We got a smile out of you, didn't we?" said Burt. "Xi, it just gets better from here!"
"I hope you're right," she said. and took another bite.

Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. They lift Him up in books (P.O.W.E.R. Girl!; LEGACY; Visions of the King; Your Holy Health; more); presentations; service in church, community, and the world; and via the "River Rain Creative" (309 videos) and "POWERLight Learning" You Tube channels.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW