"I'm just a little boy," said the child. "I only wanted to touch the toy."
The father shook him and yelled, "I'll spank you and put you straight to bed!"
The little boy cried and said, "But the fire truck was my favorite color -- red."
The father gave a big sigh and tried to hide the need to cry.
He stood still trying to hide his fear and wondered what he would do with all these mouths to feed?
Isn't there a God somewhere to lead?
Guidance, he needed more than ever - since his beloved wife had died,
parenting was never his strong side.
Emotions running high and low as outward love he just could not show.
"Dear God," the dad began, "could you lend me a hand?"
Medical bills piling up and basic needs here to buy,
sometimes -- he too - wished he might just die.
As despair filled his heart and he thought about throwing in the towel,
a touch from a small sweaty hand reminded him he was still needed as a pal.
As he wiped the tears from his cheek, the little boy looked up and said, "I love you, Daddy, can we play hide-and-go-seek?"
The father suddenly realized a special and lasting memory could be made with this little boy,
all that was needed today - like each day - was time and understanding to bring love and joy.
So to try and begin good cheer,
he called all four kids together and asked them one by one the question of the year.
"If you had one wish for a Christmas gift, what would it be?"
The oldest wanted a cool watch with an alarm that would chime,
and to wish his mommy a happy birthday in heaven during this time.
A puppy was requested at the next boy's chance,
one with a loud bark and to do a trick..."so Mommy can see him dance!"
Money was what the next sibling shouted out for,
"If we had lots of money, Mommy might come back and we might not be forever poor."
The last and youngest little girl said, "I want to get a new pair of shoes."
Everyone stood in silence as she left the room and tried to figure out what she had just said. "Why did she
wish for a new pair of shoes?" Asked the smallest brother.
As she entered the room with her worn tap shoes in hand, she reminded us what mommy had always said,
"A new pair of shoes were good for tapping away the blues. So, since God took Mommy away - if I can
again tap - maybe he'll return her and I'll scoot up onto her lap. "
Needless to say, the dad learned a lot from his kids that day.
The most important and lasting lesson was to thank God for helping him to see his children's loving way.
Through tear filled eyes, they all four ran to give his shirtsleeve a tug,
and accidentally spilled a little coffee out of his favorite mug.
But as he bent down laughing with the group,
a new spirit in his heart made him feel proud of his troop.
As "Little Sis" was singing happy birthday to mommy and dancing round and round,
the father realized God had sent his message through these tiny voices - and it was now most profound.
They all looked up towards heaven and blew mommy a birthday kiss,
and knew things would somehow be easier because of a tiny pair of worn shoes from "Little Sis."
Copyright 2001, by Jodie Lynn
Jodie Lynn is a nationally syndicated parenting columnist, author and parent
educator. Her column, Parent to Parent, is available in over 350 newspapers
throughout the United States and Canada. Her latest book, "Mommy CEO (Constantly Evaluating Others) 5 Golden Rules," (2001 revised edition) is available from any bookstore or at her Web site, www.ParenttoParent.com.
Inspiration, News, Devotionals, Humor & More to Start Your Day!
Feel like pokin' around Peggie's Place?
START HERE or skip straight to the ROOMS!.
Have fun--and should you get lost, scroll to the end of a page for a directory.
The Devotional Buffet--for over 500 archived devos at Peggie's Place!
+ + + + + + +
For more humor, visit The Fun Room at Peggie's Place!
For more inspiration, visit The Prayer 'n Praise Room at Peggie's Place!
For more daily humor:
Reverend Fun--A fun Christian cartoon of the day!
Pastor Tim's Clean Laugh List--a daily email humor list
Thanks for coming! God bless--and see you tomorrow!
Remember, there's nothing that can happen today
that you and your Lord together cannot handle!
Please
e-mail me to say hi.
All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Humor and inspiration in Tickles 'n Truth are extracted from items that circulate around the Web. Many authors are unknown; I do not claim copyright privileges on the articles used. Should you know the author of a certain piece, please notify me that I may give proper credit.
A Fun, Faith 'n Funny Bone Feature 
