Just You & me {Short Story!}

I heard sea gulls and crashing waves, and knew I could only be in one place.

 “Where are we?” I asked quietly.

“We're almost there,” He said with adventure in His voice. Once my foot felt the water, something came alive in me and I couldn't stop smiling.

“Okay,” He said. “You can open your eyes.”

I wonder what He was thinking when He said that. I mean, He did make my eyes after all!

 So there I stood. With eyes wide open, taking in the scene. The ocean was right in front of me! There was a beautiful wooden sailboat ready to be taken ashore and I knew He had reserved it just for us.

“Let's go sailing,” He told me. “Out on the sea. Just you and Me.” My heart skipped a beat as He lead me to the boat. We set sail and boy was it at wonderful feeling.! He pointed to a dolphin. Oh! I had never seen one! 

Then He pointed to a shark, and told me not to be afraid.

 After hours of wonderful bliss out at sea, it began to rain. It poured. And I was scared for my life.

“This boat can't make it!” I yelled. “It's too small for these raging waves.” But you won't believe what happened. He came up to me and had me face the water. And then He said, “Be still," to the water. 

And that was all He needed to say.

Time went on and I watched Him catch fish with His hands. We talked about our dreams again. I looked Him in the eye, those beautiful baby blue eyes. He said something funny, and we just laughed until our sides hurt!

I love His laugh. 

Then it was quiet for a moment. The sun was going down and the breeze swept across my face like birds flying through trees. He looked at me and said, “Let's go for a walk.” I looked at Him strangely, although I knew in my heart what He meant.

“Where?” I asked anyway.

He pointed. He pointed out onto the sea.

“You mean on the water?”

He held out His hand and said, ”Let's go walking. Out on the sea. Just you and Me.” It took me awhile before I could get my foot onto the water. But He held my hand the whole way and here I was! Walking on water with my Best Friend. We walked miles, and at dusk, I got to watch Him paint the sky with only words and His fingertip. It was magical!

 I grew sleepy and although the water was great for my feet, I couldn't keep walking. So He picked me up in His arms and carried me. I know I heard singing the whole way.

 When I woke up, we were back in the boat. 

Just Him and me.

Tell me a story.

Tell me a story.
Make it interesting & bright.
Make it fascinating & beautiful. 
Make it...lovely.
Tell me a story.
Make it dance.
Make it whisper in the breeze
& make it sweet the the honey of bees.
Tell me a story,
but don't forget to make it beautiful.
And so, the One who crafted the stars & carefully painted each zebras stripe said,
"Alright, I'll tell you a story. But you should know that you've already heard this one."
"Oh? How so?"
"Well, the story I'm about to tell you...
you're living. 
And yes. I made it beautiful."

The Key to a Hearts Garden - a story!

As Lilah climbed the tallest tree to get to the roof of her grandparents' old house, she slowly lifted her hands up to the sky. She let her long red hair dance in the wind, and tilted up her pink lips to the sun.

"Oh, Lord. I want you to have the key to my hearts garden."

She placed her hands over her heart and closed her eyes. 

"I don't want to let anyone sneak in and steal all the flowers. I don't want to let anyone do that. Not anymore. I want my heart to be pure before you--so take the key. I know at the right time you'll bring him to me."

Later that night as Lilah snuggled into her bed in the old attic, her heart felt fresh.

She had a dream that put all her words and desires into pictures:

Way deep into the woods, there was a garden and a white gate wrapped around it. In front of the gate stood a tall, strong man, holding a key.

This man was so radiant! More radiant than the sun. And he had a smile on his face that was more glorious than a crescent moon. 

Inside the garden were different types and colors of flowers. There were pink tulips, white daisies, orange poppys. 

One day, a guy walked up to the garden.

"May I come in?" He asked the man holding the key. "I want to pick those flowers in there."

"Sorry," the man said, "This isn't the garden you're supposed to pick from."

Then, another guy came up to the guarded gate and just stood there looking around.

He obviously wanted nothing from that garden.

Another one came over. 

"Can I come in? I want to pick that single white rose way in that back of the garden."

The man looked at him gently and said, "You've already picked a single white rose. And this one is not for you."

Finally a young man walked up and appeared to recognize the gatekeeper.

"Somehow I knew I'd find you here," the young man said. "May I come in now?"

The man looked at him as if he'd been waiting for him, and gave him the key. But before he let him enter, he said:

"You are free to roam and pick. But you must never pick the single white rose. As you can see it is not finished growing. It is not ready. It is not ripe."
The young man nodded and smiled, excitedly entering the gate.

He walked up to a red rose.

"A rose as read as the hair of my love, a tulip as pink as her lips. And a lovely white rose. White as her heart."

When Lilah awoke from this dream, her weary heart was no longer troubled. She had never felt more free and settled, than the day she gave her true Love the key to her heart.

------
This came to me out of truth; experience. It's hard to give Him the key, especially when you think you can take better care of your "garden". But like the dream, I don't want any guy who's not my future love to pick all my flowers. Soon, there'll be none left for him!
Know that God is ready to take that key! No matter how many flowers you have--none or all.

"His mercies never end. They are new every morning."
-Lamenations 3:23-

picture source here. =)

In Love.

 

This day is perfect - not hot, but just the right amount of sun is hitting Sara's face. In beautiful rhythm, her feet swiftly run through the soft weeds down in the field. She lifts her head and breaths in a great amount of scent--wildflowers. Trees are rustling from where she is headed. The small creek right next to her continues to flow and calm her already beating heart.
 
 Still running, she plays out just what she'll say when she gets there. She remembers when He made her laugh--she remembers when He calmed her heart--she remembers when He forgave all. And now she just couldn't wait for this day. One day she called Him and He said, "Here I Am." And now He called her, and there she goes running. As fast as she could.

  She heard Him again--was He singing? Sarah couldn't stop smiling but she knew - she knew He loved it when she did that. She knew He loved it when she laughed. And when she cried, she knew He caught each tear. Now the tears were coming. Racing down her cheeks. Her heart was overwhelmed with a love that was so indescribable - so real.
 
  Finally she stops running. Where is He? There she walks past each tall tree. And seated on a small rock, there He was. His back was to her, and as she sniffed, He turned around and gazed at her with the most beautiful face. He stood, and opened His arms. "Come! I have been waiting for you My child."

  Sarah ran for Him, and planted herself in His warm embrace. And said, '" I love You my Jesus. I have fallen in love with You!"

True love.

  I sat there--"When are they going to call my name?" My appointment with Dr. Chavez should be taking place this very moment, and yet, here I sit with my purse latched on my lap.

  The magazines have no interest in me and my desire to start up a conversation with the woman next to me died when her daughter entered the room and they raced for the door. There I sit. Waiting. Practically dying from boredom. By myself.

  And then an older, rather ugly man, walks in. Tall, worn and bent was he. Was he dashing? No. And to his side was a fat woman, who was grey. No princess there!

  And yet, they caught my notice. Yes, this quite ancient pair had my full attention. Unaware were they.

  As they walk by the door, I notice that he held her coat for her. He smiled at her then he went to fetch the car. When he brought it around, for her he opened the door and made sure her body was not strained. Then they drove away.

  There I sat. The name I'd been waiting to hear (mine) was not called. But as I sat in thought that morning, and though they did not know, they left me with a picture. This was a picture of how true love should really be.

  So no, I saw no handsome prince. No beautiful princess in my view. But I got to see something --and that something was true love.

*Inspired by this poem by Mary Beth Hackett.*

The Lost Little Sheep

  The sun had just gone to bed. The Shepherd gathered his 100 sheep and called to them, "Goodnight my little sheep!" Off they went far in the meadow, when the Shepheard began to count.
  "One, two, three," He patiently counted with glee in His heart. "Ninety eight, ninety nine....." He found that there were only 99 sheep. "Where are you little sheep?" The Shepherd looked all around him in hopes of spotting the lost sheep. He looked to his left, and he looked to his right. Not one missing sheep did he find. He quietly wandered from the meadow. "Where are you little sheep?" he called once again. When all of a sudden, the Shepherd heard a noise.
  "I'm here in the bushes! Help!" the Shepherd responded and ran for the bush. The little sheep was struggling to get out. The more she fought and struggled, the more deep she would be.
  "Here I am." the Shepherd said. "Do not be afraid. I am right here, okay?" he looked at her face and he wiped away her tears. He got her out and layed his hands on her.
  "I knew you would find me," she said. "I knew you would be here. But I strayed and went my own way. I began to doubt you. I didn't think you could take care of me. So I left. But then I heard your voice. I heard you calling my name." With a patient ear, the Shepherd looked at her in the sweetest most gentle way.
  "Why did you look for me? Why did you come when you knew I went my own route?" Then, the Shepherd looked at her for some time before answering; "My child, let me tell you why I came near. I came so I can dry every single one of your tears. I came so I can fill the hole in your heart. To give you peace. You fret; you are afraid of this place. Why? Don't you know about grace? I came so you could have me everyday. And when you have sorrows, I will be there. My little sheep, I found you when you were lost. Lost in the bushes. And I came to find you because I love you."


  So there I was. Watching a T.V show quietly in the room. When my Grandma (grama) comes in. These are along the lines of what she said to me.

"Amber, I know you worry about all the lost people out there. But I realized - we are not the saviors. Picture 100 little sheep. Jesus, the Shepherd is counting them. And He only counts 99. He goes off to find that lost little sheep. "Where are you?" He calls out. That sheep got into the world. She got stuck in the fence and can't escape. And then Jesus comes alongside her and rescues her." She twisted her head and said, "Look. It's like that picture of Jesus and the sheep." I looked at the picture that hang on the wall ever since I can remember. "Jesus will rescue His lost little sheep. You just gotta keep praying for them to be found. In His own way He will call them by name, and they will hear Him."
  Then, in her sweet voice, she sang, (in spanish) "There were one hundres sheep. The Shepherd came to count them. Once He counted them all, one was missing..."
  That made me smile at how He goes and looks for His lost sheep and calls them by name oh so tenderly. I told her I would write a poem about it. Here it is:

Far in the meadow were 100 sheep

Deep was their slumber; sweet was their sleep.

Not one disturbence, not even one sound

When one by one the Shepherd would count.

"1, 2, 3" He'd begin

When all seemed to be there, He thought He would end.

"98, 99--one isn't here. Oh little sheep! Where are you my dear?"

He looked to the left, He looked to the right.

With a soft voice, "Where are you tonight?"

Out of the meadow, He called her by name

"Where are you?" He said with a voice that was tame.

Silently walking, He heard a faint yelp;

"Im here in the bushes--oh please, come and help!"

Caught in the bushes was the lost little sheep

Helplessly pushing herself way in deep.

"Here I am; Please do not fear;

For I am your Shepherd, I will be right here."

She lifted her face and He wiped all her tears

"I knew You would find me; I knew You'd be near."

"I strayed from the rest, I went my own route;

And when I got lost I began to doubt.

But then I heard You, Your voice I knew well,

And when I saw Your face, my world hope around.

You came and You saw me, You knew where I lay;

But why did You save me when I went my own way?"

"My child, let me tell you of why I came near;

I came so I could gather all of your tears.

I came to fill that hole in your heart;

To bring you My peace and give you a new start.

You worry and fret for the things of this place

But why little sheep? Don't you know about grace?

I came so you'll have Me in all your tomorrows

And when you cry out, I'll wipe all your sorrows.

I found you in bushes, there you were deep;

Come my child, my found little sheep."

Until I say 'I Do'

  Lilah glanced at her hand. Her ring read, "I will wait." Lilah treasured her purity. What was it that made her keep her gift most precious gift unwrapped? Was it this symbolic piece of jewelry? No, it was more. It was her first Love; her most Beloved King that captured her heart and held it in the palms of his hands. It was a beautiful love she had for Him that let her decide who she'd give herself away to. It was the day of Lilah's wedding. Today she knew with all that was in her that Wilson was the one for her. God had given him to her, and her to him. Today they would forever be united as one.
  "Until I say 'I Do'," she said smiling to herself. "Until this ring is replaced with the one I will wear for the rest of my life. Until I am one with Wilson."
  Lilah's father stepped in the room teary eyed. "Oh, Li. You are so beautiful." Then in a more serious tone he said, "I never told you this, and I want you to know. Before you were born, at your mothers and my wedding, we didn't wait." Lilah's expression told her dad she was confused.
  "We didn't wait like you and Wil did. We let our wants and desires get the better of us. The reason I'm telling you this is because I am so amazed and proud of you and your choices. Your beautiful gift is untouched and that will benefit you in your marriage. I don't think you know how beautiful that is in a woman." Lilah began to tear up. Her waiting was something she thought was just between God, her and Wilson. Her father had always had a part in her decisions. She knew this one was between her and God.
  As the beloved father and daughter finally walked down the aisle, Lilah lifted her head above her veil to find Wilson's tears streaming down his cheeks. Her heart skipped a beat. This was the man she was going to marry! When she made it to the alter, he looked at her with the most precious gaze and held her hands oh so gently.
After vows were said, he slipped of her purity ring slowly, kissed it, and handed it to the ring bearer. With the new ring in his hand he looked at her beautiful face and said  "With this ring I thee wed."

Look Up in the Morning.

  "Wake up."  Lilah was fast asleep, until she heard a small voice like still waters. She checked her clock. 4:12am. Determined to go back to sleep, she rested her head and shut her heavy eyelids.
  "Wake up," she heard it again. What was compelling her to wake up? She didn't know what to do.
  "Lord? Is that You?" she asked in confusion.
  "Wake up," He answered. He continued, "Wake up and go outside." Lilah willingly got up, put on her shoes and sweater, and at 4:15 in the morning, stepped into the quiet chillness of the early morning.
  "Lord! Look at this! I've never seen anything like this!" Lilah was staring at a big moon. She could perfectly see the outline of its half. Stars were brightly lit all around, and she felt a small sweet breeze sweep upon her face. She closed her eyes. From behind her house, the small creek flowed. She heard crickets and frogs saying their good mornings. Her heart was so overwhelmed with a love; a peace that she's never felt.
  "Oh Lord! she whispered." 'My voice you shall hear in the morning, In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.' " Lilah stared at the glowing moon for a long time. She remembered a verse from Psalms she learned in church. "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained." Lilah slowly lifted her head, and placed her hand on her heart, and said,
  "Oh, how You've captured my heart. You have awoken me to feel You. To actually see You. And to know you more. I love this."


I like to think that when I am suddenly awoken in the very early morning, I'm being so sweetly awoken by God. It seems bittersweet, because you are so tired. 4:00 in the morning! But at the same time, you are given a chance to spend a precious moment with God - to hear His voice - to witness a beautiful feeling even though its more than a feeling. It can't really be explained. It has to be experienced - it has to be seen with your own eyes and felt with your own heart and soul. And when you do--that my friends is the most perfect thing in the whole world.

Whispers in The Night

  Cricket, cricket, cried the nighttime bugs. Swish, swish, cried the wind.
All joining in to play a perfect melody as the moon gave off its light and the stars twinkled like perfect diamonds on black silk.

  "How far do you think the stars are from us?" 6 year old Johnny asked his older brother Wilson.
"I don't know. Pretty far, I guess." he replied.
"Do you think some day I'll get to go up there?" Then he paused, with a twinkle in his eyes and said, "And touch one?" Johnny's older brother chuckled to himself and rested his hand on Johnny's shoulder. Not wanting to sound discouraging, Wilson said,
"I think if you really wanted to, you could."
"Do you think that I will ever get to fly?" Then as if Wilson's heart melted before him, tears welded up in his eyes. Johnny's cancer hadn't gotten better, and Wilson knew it.
"Johnny, I think if you really wanted to, you could fly straight up to the moon."
"You really think so?" With heavy breath, Wilson replied,
"Yes, Johnny. I do."

  Two weeks later, Johnny died. Memories of him flooded Wilson one late night. He was gazing at the stars. Then as if compelled to, Wilson silently prayed,
"God? Uh, hi. You know Johnny, right? My little brother? Well, not too long ago he told me a few things. I know he's up there with You now. I know he feels better. I wanted to ask You, if You could do something for me. You see, Johnny told me he wanted to fly. He wanted to touch the stars and fly to the moon. If it is possible, do you think you can take him? I know it sure would make him happy. Thanks, God."

  Wilson sat there staring up at the moon, in the same spot him and Johnny sat. Silently he whispered,
"Sure bet you're up on the moon right now Johnny. Right now, with God at your side."