Friday, October 3, 2008

Faith-Colored Glasses


Betsy at Just Another Clay Pot is hosting Fiction Fridays today, so hop on over there for more great fiction.


This is my fiction piece based loosely on some of my own circumstances growing up. Fiction with some truth sprinkled in...


Faith-Colored Glasses


“Hey,
FOUR EYES, your mom walks funny!”

I was the only one who wore glasses in the third grade. “My name’s BECKY! And your mom would walk funny, too, if her car had been run over by a semi-truck.”

Their relentless teasing continued. “Oh yeah? Well, maybe if she’d had
BIG, THICK glasses like yours, she wouldn’t have crashed!” They stuck their noses in the air, snickering their way into the school.

I hate my life.

******

Dad was in his typical after-work reclined position.

“Becky, just shut up for two seconds, you little brat. I’m tryin’ to watch TV.”

Yuck—his breath stinks.

“Hey Lynn, bring me another beer.”

Get it yourself, you lazy bum. Mom has a headache.

He glared at me. “What are you lookin’ at, Stupid? GET-OUTTA-HERE!”

I hate my life.

******

My choir director had bought me a brand new dress for the occasion--the most exciting dance in the 8th grade--assuring me that I should go.

“Hey, Becky, where’s your dad? This is a
DADDY/Daughter dance.”

“He doesn’t live with us anymore.”

“Thaaat’s right. He lives at that—
(finger snap)—that—(finger snap)—oh yeah, that tavern on the west side of town…orrrr is it the one on the east side?”

My face caught on fire, and I bolted out of there in tears.

I hate my life.

******


“Mrs. Connor? Hi, it’s Becky. Um, I’m going to have to miss the senior concert tonight. Mom’s in the hospital again. I’m so sorry, they’re not sure what’s wrong with her…”

They’re never sure what’s wrong with her.

“…Yeah, well, I have to get to the hospital. She’s asking for me.”

Like I can do anything.

I was ashamed of my tears. “So much for my solo.”

I hate my life.

******

“Wow, Becky—I can’t believe the way you just put a smile on that little girl’s face. No one else has been able to do that. How do you get inside these troubled kids’ heads?”

It felt so good to have someone compliment me for once. “Well, I guess you could say I understand them.”

Maybe there’s a purpose for my life.

******

I can’t believe I’m here singing in front of the whole college.

“When we walk with the Lord,
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way.”

Thank You for shedding Your light on my way, Lord.

“When we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
Even more when we trust and obey.” *

Lord, I accepted You as my Savior when I was six. "Now I want to obey You through ALL my circumstances."

I trust You with my life, God.

******

“Whatcha’ thinkin’ about? Earth to Mom,” asked my daughter.

I scooped her in my arms, then pushed her glasses back onto her nose. “Hi, ‘Lil Dumplin,’ I was just taking a trip down memory lane.”

“Thinkin’ about Gramma again?”

“Yeah, her, among other things.”

“Like?”

“Like the day I began to trust Jesus with my life. I hated my life before then.”

“Daddy says you had an icky childhood.”

“Yeah, it was pretty icky, Punkin’, but you know what? After I said, ‘Okay, Lord, here’s my
ick in all its ickiness. Will you please make something of it?’—after I did that, He gave me a special gift.”

Her eyes twinkled with excitement. “What was it, Mommy?”

“A thick pair of faith-colored glasses. And I wore them from that day forward.”

“Faith-colored glasses? Cooooool! What did Gramma look like after you put ‘em on?”

“Different. She still walked crooked…She still had a rough time of it with her brain damage from the car wreck, but…all of a sudden, I noticed
new things about her.”

“Liiike?”

“Like how she loved her Bible. How she desperately depended on God for strength. How often she prayed.”

“Wow! That sounds just like
you, Mommy.” She pushed up my glasses with her index finger.

I held her close to me. “It does, huh?”

“You know, I think I got a pair of faith-colored glasses, too--at Gramma’s funeral.”

“Yeah?”

She sat up on her knees. “Welllll, I was lookin’ at Gramma’s picture, and I imagined her dancing in Heaven with Jesus. Brand new legs and everything.”

“Yes, honey, those are the same glasses.” She wiped the tear from my cheek.

“I thought so.” She decided it was time to go play.

“Bye, sweetie. Thanks for givin’ Mama sugar.”

“Sure, no problem…FOUR EYES!” Giggles.

“Hey, YOU, look who’s talkin’?”

I love my life.

*****************************************************************************************************

Ephesians 1:18-19a, NIV
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,
and His incomparably great power for us who believe…”


* Trust and Obey—Words: John H. Sammis, 1887. Music: Daniel B. Towner


In the Key of HE,

17 friends shared a comment:

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

I can't wait for the book to come out. Will you sign it for me my friend? You are soooo good. I am constantly touched by your fictional stories with truth sprinkled on in there. It was awesome!
Blessings my friend and enjoy your getaway!

Anonymous said...

Great story! It's amzing what God can do with
the lives He has created if we only give them
to Him. Sunny

Betsy Markman said...

Wow. This is just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing and being so real.

Debra Kaye said...

Laura Lee,

Again, you have the amazing gift of reaching inside and touching my heart strings. This was so real.

I loved it. Truly loved it. Happy Friday to you. Blessings, abundant blessings!!

Kathy C. said...

Laura Lee, that was beautiful. I think in every piece of fiction, there's a lot of truth. :)

Tracy said...

What a sweet and tender ending to this amazing story. Thank you for sharing the inter-mingled fact and fiction of your life. You've again touched me deeply with your words. Bless you, LauraLee!

Julie Arduini said...

You are a perfect example of taking those broken places and allowing the Lord to make something beautiful. This is precious.

Sita said...

Now that struck a chord in me...I can so relate...thank you!

Laurie Ann said...

There's plenty of truth in fiction, they say. Beautifully written, LauraLee. Thanks for sharing!

Lynn Squire said...

oh, love it!

Gigi said...

Sweetly broken, indeed...

Sheila said...

LauraLee your gift is amazing!! Your song is beautiful. And I agree with homesteader in training... I am constantly touched when I read your stories!

Joanne Sher said...

Amazing, girl. You brought tears to my eyes - and I LOVE the wonder and hope of the end. Beautiful!

Julie Arduini said...

i couldn't help it, I tagged you for a fun meme I enjoyed. I appreciate all you do in writing and encouraging others. Have a great SONday!
http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/2008/10/tagged-why-i-love-my-hubby.html

lori said...

You have SUCH a gift! You really do...what a great piece! Blessings to you this Sunday!!

lori

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting this. It's a great reminder for all Christians who are living out a genuine faith. Karyn www.christiancupid.com/blog

Dee Yoder said...

This is beautiful, Laura. I can't say more because it just is too lovely...you're gifted in making your characters come to life. Love you!