Читать книгу Bedtime Stories for the Child in You - Louise D. Jewell - Страница 14

Photo of my rug hooking project titled, “Journey”

The key to my happiness is my spiritual journey. It was a cold wintry night, and the sky was ablaze with stars. I pressed my face against the single-paned window beside my bed. Frost covered the glass. I blew warm air and gazed through the small opening.

There I saw, high in the sky, a big bright star. Somewhere, I had seen the crèche, the nativity scene, with little baby Jesus lying in the stable. I gazed up at the bright star and cried with joy, “He’s there under the star!”

My mother opened the door and called out into the darkness, “Go to sleep now.”

“Mommy,” I whispered. “Jesus is under that big star, right?”

Fatigued, she replied, “Yes, now go to sleep.”

Not about to give up, I continued, “Mommy, can you help me find Him tomorrow?”

“Yes. Now, go to sleep, Louise.” And with that, Mommy closed the door.

Once again, I pressed my face against the cold glass and studied the sky above. A deep ache grew inside. Hot tears tumbled down my cheeks. I don’t think Mommy is going to help me.

You see, my village ran beside the train tracks. Beyond that, the Gatineau River swiftly flowed. In the summer, logs from the mill upstream bobbled on the water. On the other side of the river, mountains climbed to the sky.

How could I ever cross the river? I wasn’t allowed to step near the water’s edge, let alone climb into a boat all by myself.

And that’s when I prayed my first prayer. At the age of four. Jesus, would you help me find you someday?

Several years later, on another cold winter night, I found Him. Or rather, He found me. And this time, my tears were of joy. Pure joy.

When it gets dark enough, you can see the stars.

~ Thomas Carlyle