Nascent Talent

My friend and fellow writer, Jan Ackerson, has an amazing skill of writing whole stories in just a few words -100 words, to be exact. She has written a whole book of these slices of life - 366 of them, to be exact, one for each day including leap year day. 

 Nascent Talent

My mother grinned as she handed me the container. “It’s all your papers and art from when you were little,” she said. “I thought you’d enjoy them.” A few afternoons later, I opened the box, interested in early samples of my writing. Were there any signs of nascent writing talent?

You decide—here’s a paragraph from 8-year-old me:

Fat Men

In my opinion, I like men. They look so funny and dieting usually doesn’t do them any good. When they try to squish into a tight suit they, are the oddest things I’ve seen. I like fat men. Do you?

***

If you enjoy tiny little stories like this, you can find 366 of them in Stolen Postcards, available here: 

(Amazon)
You can also read new 100-words stories on Mondays and Fridays on Jan's blog: (100 Word Stories) Follow her on Twitter: @janackerson1

Or on Instagram: janackerson

I love that this short story was written by an 8 year old girl. Do you know any young person that is bursting with stories in their mind? Polliwog Pages is a place where youngsters can develop their writing skills and post them for others to read. 

 Splash in, and join the fun! 

Walkin' On the Water

A victorious Christian life is experienced when God's power works through us to do the impossible. We can see the power of God perform things that we could never do alone. Have you felt this power in your life? 

Walkin’ On the Water

Have you gazed only on your Creator,

So that nothing else seemed real?

Did you forget the thundering and winds,

Crashing and whirling about?

Did you step beyond the walls of safety,

Consciously trusting your Lord?

Have you ever felt the thrill of walkin’, 

Walkin’ on the water?

Nothing is impossible when His power is within.

Have you faithfully stood for your Lord,

Doing the right amid the foes?

Did your heart beat with fear and faith,

Knowing others watched and laughed?

Did you bow your head humbly to your King,

Knowing He would see you through?

Have ever felt the peace of sleepin’,

Sleepin’ with the lions,

Walkin’ on the water?

Nothing is impossible when His power is within.

Have you spoken boldly for your Saviour,

And roughly tossed to the ground?

Did you feel the pain of stinging words,

Your name smeared with mud and scorn?

Did you wipe your cheek and try again,

Grateful to be worthy of Him?

Have you ever felt the joy of singin’,

Singin’ at midnight,

Sleepin’ with the lions,

Walkin’ on the water?

Nothing is impossible when His power is within.

Have you seen the things of this world

Through the eyes of your Redeemer?

Did pleasures, worries, and sins

Seem as dust as you looked to the sky?

Did you feel the power of His Spirit

Give you victory o’er temptations?

Have you ever felt the strength of soarin’

Soarin’ with the eagles,

Singin’ at midnight,

Sleepin’ with the lions,

Walkin’ on the water?

Nothing is impossible when His power is within.

~~~

Find this and other poems and short stories in this book, 

In Their Sandals. 

For more information (click here).
Contact me for a signed copy.

 

IN THEIR SANDALS

INTRODUCING -

In Their Sandals

a book of Biblical short stories and poems. 

March around Jericho, walk on the Sea of Galilee,

even listen to the angels. Read it in God's Word,

then put yourself in their sandals.

Here is an example of a short story in pages of In Their Sandals.

BUT NOT JESUS

“Don’t touch me!”  

Sarai pulled back as if she had been burned. Her eyes filled with tears when they met Ruben’s gaze. “I forgot.” She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

Ruben wrapped a loaf of bread in a cloth and filled a skin with fresh water. Flinging it over his shoulder, he crouched near Sarai. “Dearest, I must leave because I love you. You know that.”

Fresh tears ran down her cheeks, and she nodded in acknowledgment. “Oh, Ruben! I’d rather go with you.”

“Sarai, I will never stop loving you. I will be watching for you…” His gaze dropped to her rounded belly. “…and the little one, when you come to the sheep gate.”

Sarai nodded. It would be the closest she would ever get to him again.

Ruben held his hand over her head—only he did not touch her. His arms and heart ached with the restraint. “Sarai!” he whispered, then disappeared into the night.

The air was warm and heavy. He hoisted his sack higher on his shoulder and clutched his walking stick with determination. As he neared the campfires, he saw the shadows of a dozen people—some squatting, some lying down, and one leaning against a tree. His foot knocked a pebble loose, and they all turned in his direction.

“Who is it? We are unclean!”

Unclean…the word stabbed Ruben’s heart. “I am Ruben ben Jacob. I am unclean, also.”

“Come! Show yourself.” 

When Ruben stepped into the light, the others melted away from him. Some crawled on festering limbs; others tugged rags around their faces. Their eyes shone in the firelight like wild animals around their prey. Ruben pulled down on his tunic to show the white spots on his chest. A sympathetic moan surrounded him.

“Come,” said the leader. “Sit down. I am Jedediah.” He put a hand on each of Ruben’s shoulder. One by one, the others approached, each touching him on the back or shoulder or head. Ruben sat on a stone and took a bowl of stew offered to him.

Jedediah leaned close. “Tell us of the city. What is new?” The others listened expectantly. “Have you seen this man called Jesus?”

Ruben looked up quickly. “Yes, I was there when he made bread for hundreds of people. He heals the lame and blind. I heard he walked on the sea. Some say he is a prophet, and others say he is the Messiah.”

“What do you think?”

Ruben shrugged. “I don’t know.  He is not a man like others.”       

Each evening, Ruben waited for Sarai. The first day was the hardest. He could not approach closer than fifty steps from the wall. Sarai sobbed. She could not even speak. Leaving her basket, she stumbled away.

As the months passed, Ruben saw that the time of her birthing was getting closer. He longed to touch her.

 “Are you well?” he hollered.

She nodded.

“I am praying to Jehovah for you!”

“Oh Ruben!” The tears began again. “I need you!”

Sarai did not come the next evening. Ruben waited until the stars appeared. Still she did not come. He could not sleep. I must see Sarai. I must go home! But Ruben knew the law. “The unclean must live outside the city.” If only he could be cured…if only…He sobbed, “Jehovah, be merciful to me!”

Jedediah roused him the next morning. “Ruben! Ruben! The man called Jesus is coming this way. Perhaps we will see him as he enters the city.”

Ruben jumped up. The Lord has heard my cry!

“Where are you going, Ruben? He’s not here, yet.”

Ruben ran. The stones cut his feet, but he didn’t feel them. People shied away from him when they saw his bandages. Crowds filled the road— people who were busy, people who didn’t care.

Then he saw Jesus. 

It had to be Jesus! Others turned away from his ugliness and rotten flesh—but not Jesus. Ruben fell down before Him, “Lord, if you will, I know you can heal me.” 

Jesus lifted him to his feet. He wrapped his arms around Ruben and held him close. “I will. Be clean!” 

Ruben felt his body fill with strength and healing. He pulled up his shirt and felt his chest and face. His skin was clean! He jumped and danced and shouted. 

Jesus smiled. “Go, Ruben. Go show the priests that you are healed. Go home to your wife, for she has born a son.”  

To purchase In Their Sandals, 

(click here)

or contact me for a signed copy.