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Chloe's Gift
by Mary Kay Toy
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It was the last day of
preschool before the holidays, the excitement from the Christmas pageant
was over and the children seemed strangely calm. I placed a doll
to represent the Christ Child on the hay of the manger and asked the children
to draw a birthday gift for Jesus. The range of ideas was amusing:
blanket, rattles, robot, washing machine and Barney, but one little girl
had a gift that touched my heart and left a lasting memory. Her name
was Chloe and she hadn't spoken a word since she entered preschool.
Captivated by this endearing scene, I watched as Chloe pulled a chair
close to the manger, struggling to hold a book in one hand and Jesus in
the other. I was tickled by the swaddling clothes unraveling, causing
our newborn King to tumble to the floor. Finally settled, Chloe cradled
Baby Jesus close as she "read" the story of the First Christmas. She
paused as she turned each page, glancing at Jesus to make comment on the
pictures!
Then it dawned on me, Chloe was speaking, and I never heard her voice
before! This child who felt too shy to talk at school, felt perfectly
comfortable speaking to Jesus. With love in her heart, she spoke without
intimidation and He listened. I had no doubt; this wasn't just make
believe!
I soaked up the moment, leaving tears in my eyes and realized that's
all Jesus wants us to do. We don't need words to make perfect sense
or remember prayers line for line. God only wants us to open our
hearts to Him with love and He will listen!
What a precious gift Chloe gave to Baby Jesus and powerful lesson she
has taught me!
