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P.O.W.E.R.* Girl III - Ch. 12 - The Best Gifts

by Tonja Taylor  
1/16/2023 / Short Stories

After the service, they all went to Burt’s house.

“Pearl, would you bless the food?” said her uncle.

“Yes Sir,” she said. “Father God, we thank You so much for sending Your Son, Jesus—the best Gift of all—so we could all know You and become Your children too! Thank You for what You did at church tonight, and for all this delish food, and the gifts we have to give each other. Help us always remember every good thing comes from You!”

“Amen!” said her uncle, and the others joined in.

“Sweetie, would you play some Christmas carols for us, please—about three—while we get everyone served?” said her mother. “We’ll make sure there is plenty for you!”

“Yes ma’am,” Pearl said, and walked to the piano. Oh, I’m not very good compared to Ms. Risa! thought Pearl, but I love the sound of Uncle Burt’s baby grand! She found her music in the bench. Play through my hands, Jesus! she prayed.

As she played, she hummed and sang the words softly, and she heard some of the others start singing as they sat down to enjoy the food. Lord, let us all know that You are here!

“Very good, Pearl,” said Risa, tasting the punch. “Are those cranberries in the ice ring?”

“Yes ma’am,” said Pearl. “Robin helped me. And it’s organic cranberries, and four organic juices, too!”

“Por supuesto!” said Risa. “Of course!” She smiled. “You play well, too!”

“Not like you, Ms. Risa,” said Pearl, “but thanks.” She got up to get some food.

“When you’ve played as long as I have, you’ll be even better,” Risa said.

“I want to learn to play the harp,” said Pearl, filling her plate with goodies. “I believe God wants it too, because I just thought of it one day, and it’s growing stronger in me.”

Risa nodded, and looked at Pearl’s mother. “The Lord will make a way for everything in His will,” she said.

Pearl’s mother smiled, then said, “Yes, and I’m interested to see how He’ll do this harp thing!”

Ms. Sophia laughed, and said, “Indeed, El Senor can be mysterious, but He owns Heaven and earth, and all in it!”

“Amen!” said Burt. “We are the caretakers of His stuff.”

“Si,” said Ms. Sophia. “Also, you are all good cooks!” said Ms. Sophia. “Tomorrow, we will feast at my house for lunch, and give you a rest.”

“Thank you again for being so generous,” said Pearl’s mother. “We look forward to it.”

“Un placer--a pleasure,” she said. “You are my new familia—my family!”

“We love you, Ms. Sophia!” said Pearl.

“Yes!” said Xi.

The others nodded.

Robert ran up and gave Ms. Sophia another cookie, piled high with red frosting and sprinkles. “Here’s the best one. I made ‘em—in your kitchen—‘member?”

She laughed. “Yes, Sir Robert, I remember us having fun!” She reached out to hug him, and he let her. “It will be delicioso!”

He smiled at her. “Eat a bite!”

She took a big bite. “MMM! It’s la mejor-- the best!”

“Yeah! ‘Cause I made it for you!” he said, and ran back to the tree. He pointed. “It’s time to get gifts!”

“Rob, we just sat down,” said his mother. She looked at his plate. “You’re not done either. Eat your sandwiches, not just cookies. You know that!”

He started to stomp, but she gave him a look. “Okay, Mama. Let’s hurry!” He took his sandwich and stuffed most of it in his mouth.

“Bub,” said his uncle, “take that out and do it right.”

He did.

After a few minutes, his mother said, “Okay, we’ll save dessert for after the gifts. Robert, you be the elf, OK?”

“Hey! Wait!” he said, and started to run up the stairs.

“Walk!” said his mother. “Wise elves walk!”

Burt laughed. “Is that true, Charlotte?”

She smiled. “I’m sure it is—if elves exist!” she said. “So just in case! Where are you going, anyway?”

Robert had slowed down, but was jumping up the stairs two at a time. “To get my elf hat!”

“He has an elf hat?” she said.

Burt laughed. “We shall see!”

Lord, help my little brat—I mean, brother!--not to fall and crack his head! Pearl thought.

“Hey Queen Mother, how about a trip to the North Pole for Robert Elf?” teased Pearl, “like—for a decade or so?”

“Hmm, you’re practicing your new vocabulary, hmm--and asking for your Christmas present this year and beyond, right?” her mother said, and grinned.

“Sure!” Pearl said, “But I’ll take that gift any year! God says we have not because we ask not!”

They all laughed.

Robert zipped down, wearing a red felt hat, and said, “What’s funny?”

“Nothin’, Bub,” said his uncle. “We’re waiting for you.”

”OK!” said Robert. “Here I go!” Then he zipped over and hugged Ms. Sophia’s legs, stretched out in the recliner. “Thanks for the hat!”

She winked at him. “You are a good elf, Robert!”

“Let Lucas help you, OK?” said Risa.

“Sure, c’mon, Lucas!” Rob said, and grabbed Lucas’s hand to pull him to the tree.

“Lucas, you are good to let Robert direct,” said Burt, chuckling, as the boys handed out all the gifts.

Lucas just smiled.

Wow, Lord, thought Pearl, You give us so much! There are so many people who have nothing, but You have richly blessed us!

Looking around at the lovely tree, and all the food and gifts, Pearl thought, Mostly, Lord, the best gift is all of us being together with You and each other!

“You guys are so amazing!” Xi said, as gifts for her piled up by her chair. “This is like a department store!”

“Xi, Darlin, this is part of the Blessing of the Lord, and everyone can have it,” said Burt. “Really. Part of it comes from hard work, of course, but He is the One Who gives us strength to work, and jobs, and skills, and such, and teaches us to handle our money wisely. Part of the Blessing is tithing—”

“You mean the 10% thing?” said Xi. “I think I remember you guys talking about that a few weeks ago.”

“Yes,” said Pearl’s mother, and Risa nodded.

“Uh, I guess I should start doing that with my work money, huh?”

“Right, Xi,” said Burt. “The Lord commands it, but it’s for our good. He doesn’t need our money!”

“Precious, we can never outgive God,” said Pearl’s mother.

Right then, Robert and Lucas came and put a very large wrapped box near her feet.

“See what I mean?” she said, and smiled. “Perfect timing, Lord!”

Xi laughed. “Yeah! OK, I’ve never heard that before I met you people—about giving God 10 percent of my money. Anyway, thank you for letting me work for you too, Mrs. Williams,” Xi said. “And you too, Ms. Sophia!”

“You work hard,” Ms. Sophia said. “You do a good job!”

“Yes, you do, Xi. God loves you and He is always working things out for you and all of us, His kids.”

“Amen!” said Pearl.

“El Senor es Todopoderoso—the Lord is Almighty God,” said Sophia. “Why would He want my money? Of course, I have a lot of it—”

“All we have, God gave us,” Pearl said. “He wants to help others know Him!” said Pearl.

“Sweetie, you interrupted Ms. Sophia,” her mother gently corrected. “Every person has to make their own choice.”

“I apologize!” said Pearl. “He loves us no matter what!” said Pearl. Sorry, Lord! I’m just trying to be bold for what’s right!

“It is good to be bold when you’re right,” Ms. Sophia said, and smiled at Pearl. “I know you love me!” she said.

“Yes. We all do!” said Pearl, and got up to hug her. Thank You, Lord, for our new friend. Help me to speak only Your words! she thought.

“You give good hugs!” said Ms. Sophia.

“Yes, she does!” said Risa. “I think the elf brothers are finished! Who shall be first?”

“How about Robert Elf?” said Burt. “Then Lucas can go, then Robin and Xi and Pearl.”

“Great!” said Pearl. “I’ll pretend to take pictures with my cell phone!”

“You are a princess!” said her mother. “You’ll get one when the time is right.” She handed her phone to Pearl. “You can be the official photographer, OK?”

“Thank you, Queen Mother,” said Pearl. At least I get to practice for when I have mine! she thought.

“I’ll take movies,” said Xi, looking very thankful. “This is all so great….and maybe I can visit Mom in jail, at least some time this week, right?” she looked at Burt.

“You bet, Baby,” he said. “We’ll make it happen.”

The group was silent for a bit, with everyone staring at Xi.

Dear God, please comfort Xi and help her have joy, Pearl thought. And send someone to lead her mom to Jesus!

Robert zipped over and hugged Xi, and said, “Nah, you go first, Xi! You are the new one here!”

Oh, that’s so sweet! thought Pearl. He really does have the Christmas Spirit of Love, Lord! Cool! She smiled at him.

“That’s my son!” said their mother, wiping a tear from her eye.

Xi had tears too. “I’m so glad I’m here—sorry I even mentioned her….This is so much! I just drew pictures for you guys—”

“Darlin’, relax,” said Burt, in a soothing voice. “We love you and it’s all going to be all right. I’m glad you drew me something.”

“You are really good,” said Risa.

“Yes!” said Pearl’s mother.

“Amen!” said Pearl, “and I want her to teach me. I think she has a gift from God in art,” said Pearl.

Robert picked up a gift and put it in Xi’s lap. “You go first, Big Sis!” he said, and gave her another hug.

She opened it. It was a finely-crafted silver ring, inset with a faceted heart-shaped onyx stone. Etched into the stone was a flying eagle. “Wow, Ms. Sophia!” said Xi, putting it on and turning her hand side to side. This is awesome! The eagle sparkles!” She held it up for Pearl’s mother to see.

“It’s beautiful and feminine, but strong---like you, Dear Xi,” said Pearl’s mother, and smiled. She looked at Sophia, and then back at Xi. “Onyx is mentioned in the Bible several times. It was one of stones on the breastplates of the priests—and a decoration for one of the foundation stones for Heaven!”

Xi just stared at the ring. “I’ve never had anything so gorgeous!”

“The Lord has a lifetime of beautiful things for you, Miss Xi,” said Burt.

Pearl nodded. “Right!”

“Do you know what Exodus 19:4 says?” Pearl’s mother said.

“Ooh, yeah--something about an eagle!” said Pearl.

“Right! Good memory, Pearl!” she said, then turned back to Xi. In Exodus 19:4, the Lord says, “’You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.’”

“So this can mean many things—" Xi said.

“Yes,” said Ms. Sophia. “Remember the Lord has eagle wings, and that you have an eagle heart! Eagles are very strong and rise above storms.”

“Thank you much!” Xi said. “You are so generous.”

“You are welcome much!” she said. “It is from El Senor JesuCristo, Who had it crafted just for you.”

“Amen!” said Risa and Burt and Pearl, in unison, and the others nodded.

“You got more, Xi!” said Robert, handing her another. “Hurry, so we can all eat dessert before bed!”

Everyone laughed.

Pearl’s mother said, “Why don’t we each open one gift, then we’ll all open the rest at the same time.”

"Yeah!” said Robert, “I’m next, to see what Jesus gave me!”

He zipped back to his seat, and grabbed the biggest one.

Pearl looked around. Everyone was smiling; joyful and peaceful, loving and being loved. We are so blessed! she thought. This must be like Heaven on earth! 

She looked at her mother, who nodded, her eyes shining. Jesus, thank You for Your goodness to us! Thank You for my family, and Your Love—the best Gift of all!”

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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