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P.O.W.E.R.* Girl III - Ch. 13 - At Ms. Sophia's house for Christmas Day

by Tonja Taylor  
9/18/2022 / Short Stories

Pearl took out her Bluetooth earbuds as she saw her mother come in.

“Enjoying that new cell phone, I see!” said her mother, and hugged her.

“Yes! Thank you so much!” said Pearl. “And I’m so glad Uncle Burt loaded it with some great worship music for me!”

“You’re welcome, Princess. I know you’ll use it responsibly.”

“Yeah, Robert’s jealous,” said Pearl. Hahahahahaha! she thought.

“Well, he should just be glad he got a new video game,” said her mother, “and the RC car. I think Ms. Sophia has some more special things for him he’ll like even better.”

“What should I wear?” Pearl said. “Are we dressing up for lunch at Ms. Sophia’s?”

“Just wear some dress slacks or nice jeans and a pretty blouse,” said her mother, pointing to an outfit. “This one has red and is bright and cheery, but it’s up to you.  I’m sure Xi will wear jeans, and probably Robert too.”

“Is Xi helping Ms. Sophia get everything ready?”

“Yes,” her mother said. “I’m so thankful the Lord sent Ms. Sophia, at just the right time. She has been a blessing to us all, especially to Xi--like the grandmother she must have never known.”

“Yes, she told me she really likes working for her, and thinks she’s a cool lady,” Pearl said. Maybe I can do some work for her too, she thought.

“Robert acts so good when he’s with her, too,” said Pearl. “Can he spend the night with her for a week or something? Or a month?” She giggled.

Her mother laughed. “No, dear, but God is healing his heart with Ms. Sophia’s love. Hallelujah!”

“Amen,” said Pearl.  “What are we having to eat?” said Pearl, as she started getting dressed.

“Plenty!” said her mother. “We have always had a feast, but Ms. Sophia said we’ll have some new things this year, like roast pheasant—”

“Pheasant!” said Pearl. “Is it good?”

“I’m sure it will be!” said her mother. “Just try a bite if you like. There will be lots of meats, but no pork of course.” She laughed. “Burt will have to eat pork some other day! There’ll be scalloped potatoes and twice-baked potatoes, and lots of veggies in different forms, and fruits, and Spanish dishes. I can’t remember all that she told me, but we’ll probably all have leftovers for at least a few days. God is good!”

“What about dessert?” Pearl said.

“Ms. Sophia said she would have nuts and candies dipped in chocolate—but it would be a secret recipe, with five different chocolates blended together in a unique sauce, and a king’s ring, and all kind of things.”

“Yum!” Pearl said. I’m getting hungry now!

“Yes, I’m sure that Psalm 23:5 applies here,” said her mother, and smiled. “He treats us to a feast while our enemies watch!”

“That’s for sure not King James!” Pearl said, and smiled.

“You are right!” said her mother. “I’m not sure where I heard it, but I really like the phrasing.”

“Do you think Ms. Sophia will like our frozen punch?” Pearl asked.

“I’m sure she will,” her mother replied. “Now, let’s get ready, and we’ll leave in about 30 minutes. Robin and the kids will meet us there.”

 

At Ms. Sophia’s, they all gathered in the big living room by the fireplace.

“Xi, you make a good fire,” said Uncle Burt.

“I’ve been camping a few times,” she said. “I’ll bring out the appetizers, and we can pray over them.”

Pearl gave a thumbs-up to her uncle. Yay! Xi is talking about praying! You are always working, Lord! she thought.

Xi brought out two plates of goodies. Burt first thanked Ms. Sophia, then said the blessing, and they all enjoyed the appetizers.

“Yum!” said Pearl. “These chocolate nuts are sooooooo good, Ms. Sophia! Can I have the recipe?”

Ms. Sophia smiled and laughed gently. “Only Dios, Papa Noel, and Xi and I know the secret here,” she said, “and Xi has promised not to tell.”

Xi nodded. “Just enjoy, Pearl!” she said, and walked back to the kitchen.

Xi is getting stronger, and she seems happy. Thank You, Jesus! thought Pearl, as she took another bite. She held up a paper. “Oh, Robin and I want to share ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ and the real meanings with you guys, OK?”

“Jesus is the partridge, right?” said Lucas.

“Yes!” said Pearl. “Every part of it represents a part of Christianity. The two turtledoves stand for the Old and New Testaments, then the three French hens are the Holy Trinity of Father, Son, and Spirit—"

“After this, we’ll do the pinata,” said Ms. Sophia.

“Pinata?” said Pearl.

“A cardboard figure stuffed with candies and little gifts,” said Risa.

“Yeah!” said Robert, standing up.

“Sit down, son,” said his mother. “You can have another cookie, and listen to what your sister and Robin want to say.”

“Hurry, Pearl, I wanna do the pinata!” he said, then grabbed the biggest cookie and stuffed it in his mouth.

Brat—I mean, brother! thought Pearl, trying to smile. You made Him, Lord, so I forgive him, and hey! Let’s keep cookies in his mouth! She giggled a bit at the thought, and then started reading from her paper.

Robert glared at her, his mouth full. “What’s so funny?” he said, as crumbs fell out.

“Robert!” said his mother. “Close your mouth and act right, or no pinata!”

He nodded, holding his hand over his lips.

“Now, you go get a napkin and clean up those crumbs that you dropped on Ms. Sophia’s carpet,” his mother directed, pointing to the kitchen. “Ask Xi to wet it for you a bit, and they’ll come up easier.” She turned to Sophia. “Please forgive him—”

“No worries!” said Sophia. “This is Christmas, and we have much happiness—Feliz Navidad! Happy Christmas!”

Robin nudged Pearl. “Let’s read!” she said.

“Yes…The partridge stands for Jesus Christ, like Lucas said. And My True Love is God the Father, Who gives us all good things,” Pearl said.

“Amen!” said Ms. Sophia.

“Amen!” said some of the others.

When they finished, Xi brought out the pinata. “Here you go, and now I’m going back to get the meal ready.”

Burt hooked the pinata to a line hanging from the ceiling.

“Rob, you go first,” said Ms. Sophia. “If you bust it, you get the most.”

Xi handed him the rod.

Robert really attacked it. “Open up, box!” he said, and hit it again.

Pearl noticed her mother and uncle looked disturbed. “Robert, calm down,” her mother warned. “This is supposed to be fun.”

At least it looks like a huge gift box and not an animal! thought Pearl. I couldn’t hit it if it did! I don’t like violence, and You don’t either, Jesus, ‘cause You’re the Healer! 

“Maybe we can do something less violent next year!” she whispered to Robin.

Robin nodded, and so did Risa, overhearing. “Si!” she said, her voice low. “There is too much hurting of stuff and people already! But the tradition is really good.”

Sophia nodded. “No worries,” she said. “The fire pinata was a seven-point star, and each stood for one of the seven deadly sins. The hitting part was to destroy the sins, so the soul could be purified, and the goodies that came out were from the generosity of Padre Dios, Father God.”

“Thanks for explaining,” Pearl said. What a relief. Thank You, Lord!

Robert swung at the pinata again, and almost hit his mother. “Robert, you’re done,” she said, taking the stick from him. “Let Lucas try.”

Lucas took the rod, studied the pinata, and hit it at a couple of weak points. Candies and little wrapped gifts spilled out. 

Robert ran over and scooped up as much as he could from the floor. He sat down next to his uncle and started eating some.

“Just 3 pieces,” said his mother, shaking her head.

Geeeeeee! thought Pearl. He acts like he’s never had candy! Lord, please help me be polite; it’s Christmas! “Hey Queen Mother,” Pearl said, “just like God gave me “Build-a-Man” instead of “hangman,” let’s do something different with the pinata!”

“Sure, Precious,” said her mother. “Share your ideas!”

“Well,” said Pearl, looking at Robin, “this was a great idea, but I keep feeling like it would be more fun to make Christmas pinatas next year—maybe a bunch of them!—and take them to families around here. But they wouldn’t have to hit them.”

“How would they get into them, then?” said Risa.

“We could use thinner strips of cardboard, and glue the pieces, so they’d hold together while they’re hanging, but they’d have these string things poking out of them for the kids to pull. It wouldn’t take as long, and it would keep the kids from having to beat something to get the candy.”

“Yes, we don’t want to encourage violence,” said her mother.

“Amen!” said Risa.

“Maybe we could even put better things, like packages of nuts, and sunflower seeds, and dried fruit and such,” said Pearl.

“Excellente!” said Risa. “Good thinking, Pearl. Let’s do it!”

“That’s good, little Pearl,” said Sophia. “You are wise to stop the hitting, because most don’t know about destroying the seven sins, so they are just hitting.”

“Her mom’s been telling the kids they have the Mind of Christ.” said Burt. He smiled big, then said, “Looks like it’s working!”

“But of course!” said Pearl’s mother. “The Word of God always does what it is sent to do! That’s in Isaiah 55. Verses 10-12, or something like that.”

“Good,” said Ms. Sophia. “Now, please read about King Jesus being born,” said Ms. Sophia. “Pearl, you and Robin, please.”

“Sure, Ms. Sophia,” said Pearl. “May I use your Bible?” She tried to pick up the big Bible on the coffee table, but it was too heavy.

“Here,” Risa said, “you can use the Bible app on my phone.”

“The real book is still better,” said Queen Mother, but however God can reach people with His Word is good!”

She and Robin took turns reading about Jesus read from Luke 2.

When they finished, Queen Mother said, “Thank you, girls. Good job. Let’s remember that what we read in the Bible are not stories! They are accounts—like the newspaper columns, only every word of the Bible is true!”

“Right!” said Risa, and Burt nodded.

 

Xi called them, and Ms. Sophia led the group to her large dining room.

“Wow, everything looks so nice, Xi!” Pearl’s mother said. “You have quite a flair for elegance!”

“Thank you,” said Xi. “Ms. Sophia taught me how to set the table right.”

Burt blessed the food, and they dug in.  

They all remarked on the beauty of the table, and the delicious food.

Yum! Thought Pearl. What a feast, Lord! I don’t think I’ve seen such a long table in a person’s house before! Most of all, though, we love Ms. Sophia for who she is.

Xi served everyone, and was very efficient.

“Have you worked as a server before?” asked Risa. “You are a natural!”

“Yes…” Xi said. “I like to do a good job in whatever I’m doing.”

“Sit, Xi, it is enough,” said Ms. Sophia after a few minutes. “You just keep working, but now is your time to rest and enjoy the food.”

“Thank you, Ms. Sophia,” said Xi. “And if you don’t mind, I’m doing this as part of your Christmas present!” I was trying to figure out what to get you. Will you let me do this and not pay me?”

Ms. Sophia laughed. “We shall see, Xi. Merry Christmas to me!”

They enjoyed a delicious lunch, then returned to the living room.

“Do I look like a duck, Risa?” joked Burt, as they left the dining room.

She looked him up and down. “Not to me, but why?”

“I ate so much, I think I’m waddling like one!”

Pearl looked around.  “Is Xi still in the kitchen?”

“Xiomara, come join us!” called Sophia.

Xi walked to the doorway, with rubber gloves on. “I was just going to clean it all up first.”

“No worries, dear. Join us for gifts.”

Xi looked sad. “I didn’t get anyone much.”

“It is not about the gift, but about the giver!” said Risa. “You can sit by me and Burt.”

“Any gift from the heart is priceless,” said Pearl’s mother. “And you are a gift to us, Xi.”

Pearl nodded. “That’s right”! She walked up and hugged Xi.

Then Robert jumped up and hugged Xi from behind. “Glad you with us!” he said. “Now, come get stuff!”

“Another attack hug from Sir Robert!” said Xi, and smiled.  

“Let us sing first!” said Ms. Sophia. “I don’t play, but I know two ladies who do!”

Great! thought Pearl. Praising the Lord should help us all feel better and think about Jesus! I need to learn more piano, but I want to play the harp. I wonder if Ms. Sophia knows anyone with a harp!

“Did you want to play, Charlotte?” Burt asked.

“Not this time,” she said. “Risa stays ready, and she plays so very well. I’d have to practice a few days to get ‘in tune’, you know!”

Risa went to the piano, and Pearl admired the glistening white of the baby grand. They sang carols, and Robert sang along, louder than the rest.

Every time she plays, I feel Jesus! thought Pearl as she sang.  Lord, would You help me do that with the harp please?

She noticed Robert looking very happy and peaceful. Maybe this will heal his little soul! thought Pearl. He’s sweet when he sings.

She saw Burt pat him on the head, as he put his finger to his lips, to help Robert quiet down a bit. Robert nodded, but kept singing with force.

I don’t think he turned down the volume, Pearl thought. But anyway, Jesus, Happy Birthday, and we love You!

“Very good, Risa. Gracias,” said Ms. Sophia. “Now, Xi, please put on the harp and flute CD for us to listen to.”

The harp and flute music was excellent.

Sooooo pretty! thought Pearl. Jesus, why do I want to play a harp--maybe because it’s so lovely!

“When are we gonna open gifts?” said Robert. His mother took his hand, and pulled him to her.

Ms. Risa could play piano, and I could play the harp for You, LORD, thought Pearl. You could use it to reach people. After all, she thought a piano and harp go perfectly together! But forgive me, Lord—this is Your birthday, thought Pearl, feeling a little guilty.  I just want a harp to learn to play for You!

She gazed at the huge Christmas tree. It towered above them, full of beauty and elegance, its limbs trimmed in white. It would be so great if it would snow for Christmas! she thought. 

As the music flowed through the room, she felt the Holy Spirit move deep within her, and the star atop the tree seemed to glow more intensely than before. Thank You, Father God, for sending the Morning Star to give us true Light!

Great peace rested in the room; she could feel it. Hallelujah, LORD, You inhabit Your praise like King David said, even without a human voice, she thought. But our hearts are singing!

When they finished the third verse, no one spoke, although Robert started to clap, but Burt caught his hands.

Then softly, Risa started to play “O Holy Night,” and they all sang. Pearl felt the stirring of the Spirit of God and closed her eyes for most of the song, imagining how it must have felt for the shepherds to have seen King Jesus as a young child. She looked around to see if the others felt God. A few were crying, and even Robert looked thoughtful.

Queen Mother reached over and squeezed her hand, nodding gently, and Pearl could see tears on her cheek, as the firelight flickered gently in the hearth.

Praise You, Lord Jesus! Pearl whispered, her heart warm and full. Thank You for coming to rescue us—and bring us back to You and each other!

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.

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