Category Archives: Holidays

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The Story of the Little Pumpkin

A Happy Little Sugar Pumpkin

As told by the Little Sugar Pumpkin. In his own words. . .

I’m a tiny little sugar pumpkin. It was awfully boring sitting in that store bin, but I have to say, there wasn’t much I could do about it. I kept complaining to the other pumpkins, “Oh my goodness, isn’t anybody going to pick me? Tomorrow is Halloween!” Sigh. We were running out of time. Sigh.

Would you believe it? Right then and there a nice lady with long white hair came over to my bin. Oh boy!!! I tried to get her attention,”Over here. Look at me! Yoo-hoo, I’m over here!” She was looking at all the other little sugar pumpkins. Holding them up and looking at their shapes from all angles. And then she reached down and lifted me up,  twisting me this way and that way. “Hmmm,” she said, as I tried to be my orangiest best for her.

“My, my, you’re a nice little pumpkin. I think you’re perfect,” and that’s how I got to go home with her.

First, she washed me and dried me off. Next, she cut me a top and then cleaned out my insides. The lady told me she was going to make me into a personality. My face began to take shape once she finished my triangle eyes. She whispered to me, “You need to have a smile.” It took a bit of time and hurt a little bit but soon I looked real cool. She lit a white taper candle and dripped some wax inside of me and pressed a stub of candle into the warm wax. “Now, let’s see how you look.” She put on my top and then re-lit the candle. This time we both smiled; she at me and me at her.

“But we’re not done yet. You’ll see why I wanted a pumpkin shaped nicely on both sides.” The lady began to carve again. Soon I had a cross-shape on the back side of me. “Now, for a heart,” she said, “The cross wouldn’t be finished without a heart of love. The Father gave his son for all of us because of his great love. That’s why you have a cross. The candle is like the light of God shining out from within you, my sweet little pumpkin. I want everyone to know that Jesus gives us light and love. Everyone who looks at you will notice your cross.”

I felt all snugly inside after she said that to me. So that’s how I got a cross on my backside.

We went to church that night.  She talked about me with the children at their Awana club. They liked it when she lit my candle. I glowed brightly for them. The children ooo’d and aaah’d. They liked me! As they looked at my cross, she told them that Jesus loved them and how the light of God’s love shines in us. I liked that, because it’s true. Jesus does love them, every single one of them.

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” That’s what I like to sing when nobody is looking. This is my little light and it shines the cross of Jesus to everyone who walks up to my owner’s door. She wants them to know about Jesus. Tonight is Halloween and I’m sooo looking forward to it. The kids will be pirates, ghosts, and witches, and I will get to shine my light for them. How cool is that!

“Trick or Treat, smell my feet. Give me something good to eat!”  Oops, I’m not supposed to say that! You have a nice Halloween, okay?

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Mother’s Day

The Power of a Mother’s Prayers.

Saint Augustine and the man he would become, was the direct result of his mother’s persistent and multiplied prayers. Monica was vigilant in advocating for her son through daily prayers.

Never give up. As a youth, Augustine was influenced by the rhetoric and cults of the day. His mother, much concerned, sought audience with God. He gave her audience. Her son converted.

Hudson Taylor’s spiritual life of Christian service was a direct result of his mother’s prayers. She sought a time of prayerful retreat on her son’s behalf in order to pray in supplication to God.

Hannah prayed in anguish of heart for a son, one who was promised in service to God. And what was God’s answer to her? Samuel was born. Samuel would become the last prophet of Israel.

Throughout the centuries mothers have impacted the world through their fervent prayers. Never discount the power of a heart-felt, on-going prayer plea, to change lives, families, and the world.

Sincerity is imperative. A Christian mother or father has an awesome opportunity. Their prayers and your pleadings knock on heaven’s door and are precious to our heavenly Father.

A teenage girl was missing. Her mother vowed to never leave her house until her daughter was found. The mother did this in order to devote herself to constant and vigilant prayer for her child.

A year later the girl was rescued from where her captor held her captive in the attic of a church. The girl was not abused and was unharmed. I believe in the power of a mother’s prayers.

With this writing I send greetings and blessings to all mothers, including my own mother, who pray faithfully and sacrifice willingly for their children. May you know much joy and happiness.

Happy Mother’s Day!

With my mother and grandmother, LaVonne and Forrest, in Greenville, CA for a Mother’s Day luncheon in 1990.