P.O.W.E.R.* Girl IV - Ch. 11 - Glorious Garments Free Reprint Article

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P.O.W.E.R.* Girl IV - Ch. 11 - Glorious Garments

by Tonja Taylor
6/25/2023 / Short Stories

“Ok, kiddos,” said Burt. “Time for a math lesson—not just to figure out how much space for each veggie, but for how long your drip lines need to be, to irrigate your crops.”

“What’s ‘irrigate’?” said Robert.

“We’re not going to tell you this time,” said his mother, pointing to the bookshelf. “Go get the dictionary.”

“Aw!” said Robert. “Can’t Pearl look it up on her phone?” He sighed, walked to the bookshelf, then started looking in the reference book.

Yes, I could! thought Pearl. Gee, he’s remembered I have a phone more than I’ve thought of it, but anyway, at least I have one!

He flipped a few pages, then scowled, and said, “I don’t see it!”

“Do you know how to spell it?” Pearl asked.

“Nah!” he said, and slammed the dictionary shut.

“Robert!” said his mother. “Is that how we treat our books?”

He shook his head. “No ma’am, but you gotta help me. I can’t find it!”

“OK, son,” she said. “Let Pearl help you. Pearl, write it down for him, and let him find it.”

“Yes ma’am,” said Pearl, and wrote the correct spelling for him.

“Pearl, this can be your math lesson for today,” said her mother. “Get your paper, and write down what Burt tells you.”

Pearl said, “Ready, Unc!”

“All right, Princess. One acre is 43,560 square feet,” he said. “I want you to divide that by 6 for me, please.”

She did. “That’s 7,260 feet. But why 6?”

“Right!” he said. “Six feet is a normal row spacing, although our rows won’t really be that wide. Anyway, that’s how much drip line you need, although we may not use all of it.”

“What is drip line again?” asked Pearl.

“A very long hose where the water will drip out slowly enough so it sinks into the ground around the crops, and won’t run off and be wasted,” he said.

“Great!” said Pearl. “And God will rain on our garden too!”

“Yes, we get a good amount of rain here in the spring and early summer.” He turned to his sister. Charlotte, I have at least one activity for these kiddos that they can use for P.E., before we plant the crops.”

“What’s that, Uncle Burt?” asked Pearl.

“Laying out the drip line, after you two go through the dirt and rake out the roots and rocks and such,” he said. “I’m going to use the tractor to till up the acre, but there will be stuff that needs to be taken out, so we can smooth out the soil and then put compost and other organic fertilizers in. You’ll realize that an acre is quite a bit of space—and that actually may be your P.E. time for a couple of days or three!”

Pearl’s mother smiled. “Sounds good. You both will be multi-tasking—doing at least two things at once!”

“Hey!” said Pearl. “We can do three—getting the garden ready, getting exercise, and talking to God!”

Her mother nodded. “Go for it!”

Later, they had a history lesson on England and the Royal Family. When her mother started talking about Princess Anne, Pearl got excited.

“Wow! A real princess, now? That’s neat! I want to do my research paper on her!”

“Good idea, Pearl,” said her mother. “Our families originally came from Great Britain, so you may even discover that we are distantly related to her somehow.”

“That would be neat,” said Pearl. A little scary, but a lot exciting! she thought, although Jesus made us Royalty by His blood, I know. I need some more info on that, though, Daddy God, please.

Pearl got her phone and looked up Princess Anne.

“Hey, Queen Mother!” said Pearl, “She knows a lot about horses, and wow, competed in the Olympics riding a horse! Cool!” She clapped her hands. “Ooh, maybe I can meet her in person one day!” Help me remember to put that on my Vision List, Daddy God! she thought.

“That will be excellent, Pearl,” said her mother. “My princess will read about another real princess who really likes horses!”

“Yes, and it says she has been involved with about 300 ministries too!” Pearl said, reading the website on her phone. “It also says she wears a uniform, but she’s not in the military.” How does that work? thought Pearl.

“Oh, I think she has served in so many ways that she has been honored with titles, as if she were in the military.”

“Daddy was a soldier!” said Robert. “I think I’ll draw one now!”

“Great,” said his mother. “You can illustrate our history lesson about soldiers, that will be in a couple weeks.”

“Oh yeah, Daddy was in the air force, right?” said Pearl. “Did he learn to fly? I don’t remember him saying that.” I miss you, Daddy! thought Pearl.

“No, he didn’t fly a physical plane,” said her mother, looking past Pearl’s head, “but he certainly knew how to fly in the Spirit!”

What does she mean by that, LORD? thought Pearl. I’ve heard her say that before…Would you teach me more about that please? Do I have to be grown up to learn to do that?

Pearl studied her mother. Wow, she looks like she’s seeing him or something! She giggled. “Queen Mother, are you imagining Daddy being here?”

Her mother smiled big. “Yes!” She shut her eyes for a bit. “I can see my amazing Jimmy dressed in his Air Force uniform. He was a junior lieutenant, and I believe he could have risen to the highest rank, but he wanted to get out after his four years of service, and marry me.”

“That’s neat!” said Pearl. “Do you still have his uniform?”

“Can we see it now?” Robert asked.

“Sure!” their mother said. “We need to take a short break anyway. Follow me!”

They followed her to her bedroom, and she pulled out two big boxes.

“Oh, did he have two uniforms?” said Pearl.

“He had casual clothing, and then his uniform, that he wore at our wedding,” said her mother, sounding a little sad, as she opened the box, and pulled back the wrapping. There was a splendid, pressed dark blue uniform, and hat.

Oh, give Queen Mother peace, Daddy God! thought Pearl.

“Cool!” said Robert, as he ran his fingers over the metal bars and medals of honor on the shoulders. “Can I try it on?”

Pearl and her mother laughed.

“Son, it’ll be a few years before you could fit in this,” said his mother, “but when you are big enough, I promise I will let you put it on.” A tear fell from her eye. “I’m so thankful your dad loved Jesus, and is with Him now!” she said. “He is with Jehovah Sabaoth!”

“What’s that?” asked Pearl.

“Oh, that is the Hebrew name for ‘LORD-of-the-Angel-Armies,” said their mother. “Christ is the LORD of all the holy angels, and He is their Commander. They are like soldiers who do His will, to help us, the children of God.”

Pearl nodded. “Yes! A good angel definitely kept that mean bull from killing Robert!”

“Right!” said their mother, closing the box and putting it back into the closet.

“What’s this one?” said Pearl, looking at the other box.

“Oh, that is my uniform!” said their mother, and smiled.

“You had a uniform—like Princess Anne?” asked Pearl. That would be cool!

“Actually, every one of us have a type of uniform, once we receive Christ Jesus as our Savior and LORD,” said their mother.

“We do? Asked Pearl. “Does mine look like Princess Anne’s Golden Stick thing?”

“No, Princess, we wear something much more glorious! We wear the Robe of Righteousness, a pure white robe bought for us by the blood of Jesus at the cross!”

Robert looked down at his clothes. “Where’s mine? I don’t see it, and I don’t see yours either, Mama!”

“Son,” his mother said, then smiled and whispered, “they are invisible! Isn’t that neat, like your sister says?”

Pearl laughed. She’s using one of my words for God things! “Oh that’s great!” said Pearl. “That way, he can never get his dirty!”

Her mother laughed, nodded and looked at Robert, then laughed again,

Pearl smiled. Am I being funny? Hey, whatever works to bring her joy, LORD! she thought.

Robert laughed a little, then said, “What’s so funny? I want to see my robe!”

“Sweetie, you’ll have to wait till Heaven for that, I think, but let me show you this.” She reached over and opened the huge white box on the bed. She carefully and slowly pulled back the tissue paper.

Pearl saw white. I bet it’s her wedding dress! she thought. Neat!

“I’ll keep this forever,” said their mother, as she stood, and lifted her exquisite bridal gown partially out of the box.” Tears ran down her face, and Pearl hugged her mother.

“It’s so beautiful, Queen Mother!” said Pearl, touching rows of miniature pearls and sequins, diamond-looking stones, and other décor sewn into the silk and lace fabric. “Can we see the wedding pictures again? I was really little when you showed me the first time, I think.”

Her mother nodded, and didn’t say anything.

“Put it on, Mama!” Rob said.

“Not today, Son,” his mother said. “This dress was hand-made by my godmother, and another dear friend sewed hundreds of these extra beads and sequins and things…so special to me! She made it with an extra-long train, like I’d dreamed about for years, and even the veil was longer than normal.” She put the dress back down, and picked up the veil, placing it carefully on her head. The end of it was still in the box, even after she stood up.

“Neat!” said Pearl. “Wow, Queen Mother, you look like a real queen, wearing that ti-ti--What do you call the crown thing?”

“Tiara,” her mother said, and laughed. “Do you like it?”

“Yeah!” said Robert, and jumped up and down. He bowed to her.

She laughed. “Son, never bow to me—although I do expect you to mind me, of course, but always bow to King Jesus!”

She stopped and gazed upward. “I certainly did feel like the queen of all, when I put on this dress and tiara, and walked up the aisle to my beloved Jimmy!”

“This is so neat—so beautiful!” said Pearl. She could see some of the same lovely beadwork on the veil as on the dress. They both sparkled in the light. “I know you were the most beautiful bride of all! Wish I could have been there!”

Her mother smiled. “You both were—in a way. The LORD knew you two would be our precious children! He knew He would send you from Heaven to us!”

She picked up the top half of her dress, and held it to her heart, then shut her eyes for a bit. “The LORD answered my prayer to marry a man who truly loved God and was following Him, before he met me, and who would be an excellent husband to serve God with me—and raise our children to His glory. God is so good!”

Tears streamed from her eyes. “I prayed for a few years to the LORD, for just the right one, and Daddy God sent him at just the right time.”

Pearl and Robert hugged and patted their mother. Tears flowed from all three of their eyes for a bit. Thank You, LORD, for my parents who love you, and that Queen Mother is still here with us! Pearl thought. Help Rob and me to be good kids for her!

They heard a knock on the door. “Hey!” Xi said, walking in. “Wow!” she exclaimed, seeing the top of the wedding dress. She rushed over. “Can I touch it, please?”

“Of course!” Pearl’s mother hugged her. “This was such a gift from God to me,” Pearl’s mother said, “for I could not have afforded this, being a college student working a minimum-wage job, but the LORD provided!”

Xi ran her finger along a satin strip, and gently touched the sparkling cubic zirconias. “Are these real diamonds?” she said, almost reverently.

“No, they are not diamonds,” Pearl’s mother replied, “but by the time you add up what it cost for all of these sequins and beads and real fresh-water pearls, plus the cubic zirconias, this wedding dress is worth quite a bit! However, sweeties,” she said, and smiled, “the real priceless thing was being married to the man God sent, to unite with him to serve God together—and raise kids who will love and serve Him too.”

Xi’s face darkened. “It’s gorgeous, Mrs. Williams!” she said, her voice sounding sad. “Well, I’d better get cleaned up for my schoolwork. Is it all right if I start in 30 minutes or so?”

“Sure, Xi,” said Pearl’s mother. “Can I have a hug?”

“Oh, okay,” Xi said, and moved slowly towards her.

What’s wrong with Xi? thought Pearl.

Pearl’s mother hugged Xi, and Robert ran over to hug her too. “Xiomara sandwich!” he said.

“Right,” Xi said, and sounded a little sarcastic.

Pearl’s mother pulled back from Xi and looked her straight in the eye. “Xiomara, the LORD has a wonderful plan—and a wonderful man—for you, when you grow up and it’s time to get married. God is good, and His Plans are all good!”

Xi pulled away. “Well, we’ll see!” she said, angrily. “I don’t even want to talk about that junk! Gotta go, and I’ll be in the classroom in a little bit OK, Mrs. Williams?” She started to walk out the door, and turned back, and said, “Thanks for letting me see your dress.”

“You’re welcome, Dear,” said Pearl’s mother, and sighed.

“Queen Mother, why did she get mad?” Pearl asked.

“Just know God is always working, Princess. Keep praying for her!”

“Me too!” said Robert. “I’ll draw her a picture to help her feel better.”

“Great idea, Rob,” said Pearl. “Now Jesus is in you, and He is the awesome Artist!”

“Okay, kids, let’s put this up and get back in class,” said their mother.

They walked to the classroom, and Pearl got back on her phone.

“Can we please order Princess Anne’s book today?” asked Pearl.

“Probably,” said her mother. “Look it up online, and find the best deal.”

“Yes ma’am!” said Pearl, and got busy searching. It’s so fun to have a phone! she thought. Queen Mother knows I do good things with mine!

“I wanna book!” said Robert. “About monster trucks!”

“OK, we can get you a book,” his mother said, “but I want you to get one about an animal, or—”

“Camlons!” he said.

Pearl giggled. “What are those?”

“Doncha know?” Robert said. “Those lizards that change colors!”

“Oh, chameleons!” said Pearl. “They are so neat!”

“Can we get one, Mama?” Robert asked. “I’m gonna draw one,” he said, and opened a new page.

“No, son, with Catorce and Vivace around, I don’t think the lizard would last very long. Anyway, you can watch videos of them with Pearl, on her phone; maybe after school today.”

“When can I have a phone?” he asked.

“A few years from now!” his mother said. “Let’s get busy with school, then you kids have chores to do.”

Hahahahaha! You have to wait like I did, brother! Pearl thought.

“Can I have more allowance?” Robert asked.

His mother laughed a bit. “Why?”

“So I can start saving for my phone!” he said.

“I’ll think about it,” she said, and patted his head. “Right now, I need you to write down all you know about chameleons for your paper. When you're done with that, open your math book, and turn to chapter 3, about dividing with decimals. write down what you'll do your papeget busy on the math in your book."

She smiled at him. "I’ll have to decide more chores for you to do, if you’re going to get more allowance,” she said.

“Don’t things cost more now?” he asked, and gave her a sly smile.

Pearl and her mother both laughed. “Good one, Rob!” she said.

“You kids are something,” their mother said, “and definitely smart!”

“We have a smart mama!” said Robert, and gave her a hug.

Pearl nodded. Well said! she thought. Thank You, LORD, for all the good things You have given us—and will!

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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