MY HEART -- CHRIST'S HOME
RETOLD FOR CHILDREN
By Robert Boyd Munger with Carolyn Nystrom
"I like your willow tree," Jesus said. "I remember when my Father and I
thought up willow trees. We wanted branches that dance with the wind,
then bow low to kiss the ground."
"Sometimes I dance with the wind in the branches," I said.
I jumped up and danced with the branches all around. Jesus danced too.
"I knew you would like that tree, Peter," Jesus said.
"Let me show you our house," I said. I took Jesus' hand and led him
inside.
"This is our kitchen," I said.
Jesus looked all around. "Did you help your mom make lunch here?" he
asked.
I was glad that today I could say yes.
At home, I found my darkest pencil. I wrote something on a small piece of
paper. I burrowed under my bed and dug out my box. I lifted the lid and
looked inside. Yes, it was all still there. I threw in the paper and snapped
the lid shut. Then I kicked the box back under my bed.
I saw Mom and Jesus in the kitchen. They were talking quietly at the
table. I didn't feel like being with them, so I started toward the TV. I
heard Mom say to Jesus, "I'm so glad you are here. Will you live with us
always?"
Mom didn't even ask me first! I liked having Jesus visit my house, but
living with us was something else. It felt funny having Jesus watch
everything I did.
"I will be glad to make my home with you," I heard Jesus answer.
I edged out of the kitchen and went back to my room. I dug my box out
from under my bed. I buried it in the darkest corner of my closet. Then I
closed the door tight.
"When I am with you, other people may not see me," Jesus told me.
"I know."
“Here is the hard part," Jesus said.
“You may not always see me either--even when you want to."
"I want you with me anyway. I belong to you."
"Then I will make my home with you." Jesus smiled.
"Even when I am afraid?"
"Especially when you are afraid," Jesus said. "I will live with you forever,"
he added.
"Forever," I echoed.
Taken from My Heart Christ’s Home Retold For Children by Robert Boyd Munger with Carolyn
Nystrom . Copyright © 2002 by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. Permission kindly granted
to Faith and Reason Forum by InterVarsity Press.
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