She itched, so she scratched. She scratched so much she bled and the blood fed them further, the tiny creepers, who thrived, wriggling their way through her hair and across her scalp. She was uncomfortable and humiliated, but what could she do? The creeping bugs were just one of the difficult and uncomfortable challenges she faced every day. She didn’t know how to help herself -- she was just a little kid. “Suffer the little children ... for of such are the kingdom of God.” Jesus Christ - The Gospel of Luke Kimberly Thompson was a school nurse who averaged treating 70 kids a day in the school’s clinic. Kids with the flu. Kids with fractures. Kids with aching ears, throats and whatever else. She also saw kids with lice. Of all the children she helped every day with their kaleidoscope of ailments and issues, one stood out from the others. The one who wanted to dissolve and melt into the background. The one who never wanted to draw attention. The one with the incredible lice infestation. The one who wouldn’t talk to her. The one who scratched her head until it bled. That little one whose troubles got put on the back-burner, the one the teachers brought to the clinic every time she showed up for school. Perhaps God sent Kim to rescue the little girl. Or perhaps God sent the little girl to be a blessing to Kim and through their meeting, be a blessing to many more when Kim shared their story years later. You decide ... “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Jesus Christ - The Gospel of Matthew His old bones pained him, but he was there anyway. He had things that needed to be said, so for as long as he could get to that special place to say them, he'd continue to show up. There were things on his mind, things in his heart, he had to share with the One who was waiting eagerly to hear all about them. He carefully slid from his seat, and slowly onto his knees, then bowed his head in love, honor and gratitude. Across the aisle she watched him. The sanctuary was silent but in her mind, words wore flying, loud and clear. Her Friend was watching and listening. His attention riveted to her and equally riveted to the old man across the aisle. She wasn’t old and she wasn’t feeble. And in watching the old man, she realized she wasn’t very humble either. Suddenly, there was a shift in her heart as the indescribably-perfect love of a lifetime caressed her soul. In immediate understanding of why the elder sank to his knees, she slid from her seat to kneel and talk to her best Friend, too. Yet at another bit of distance, a set of little eyes have observed the older-elder and the not-so-older one. One after the other they'd slid from the church pew to kneel and pray. Sometimes folks prayed out loud here, and sometimes, like this time, their prayers were deep but quiet. He's not surprised. It's like that sometimes. He's not surprised. He often has that effect on people, his best Friend, the King, who must be talking to them too. It's rare for me to introduce two books by the same author in consecutive editions of the Pumpkin Run Pulse, but this week, I've made an exception because the book you see in the pic was a Christmas gift from my good friend and colleague, Maria Jordan of marcoujor's musings. I was expecting it but not in time for Christmas because it only recently became available in hard-copy. I was happily surprised when I received it ahead of time and just in time to present it to you as an option to purchase as an awesome Christmas gift. And so, the lovely book you see up top is the newest in my collection of cherished books, autographed by one of my favorite authors, Sunnie Day of Sunnie Day's Graceful Intentions. In event you're new to flashPress and not yet familiar with this author, let me enlighten you ... Sunnie Day is the pen name of Kim Kruise Thompson, author, retired nurse and U.S. Army veteran. Here is what I'll advise you to do when reading her stories... Read them with your heart more than your eyes, because if you do, you may get a pleasant surprise, much like that of an angel's wing brushing against your cheek while one sits close, reading along with you. I'm completely convinced angels love to read Sunnnie Day's stories, so you might even wanna read them out loud just in case you have an unseen but appreciative audience. Within My Heart will make a superb gift to young-adult readers and up. I especially recommend it for gifting to those who are in need of encouragement, like ministers, teachers, veterans, caregivers, single parents, people who're grieving a lost loved one ... If you need more suggestions, email me. I'll happily lengthen the list. This is Christmas, a season in which we celebrate and pay special attention to miracles, including the most miraculous One of all ... This wonderful book is packed with stories that carol reminders, loud and clear, of many miracles some of us forget and overlook every day. I experienced one this morning. It was a magnificent Sonrise with my coffee. The incredible wonder and joy I experienced watching it reminded me of the same reaction I had to the stories in this book. Just click the pic to get your copy and maybe some copies for your loved ones who might enjoy the same experience. Happy Christmas 2014!Although this is the holiday in which we celebrate and honor His birth, my prayer is that your life is filled with so many blessings this Christmas that you run out of places to put them and they spill over into your yard, your street and the whole, entire neighborhood!
That's it for this one. God bless you, thank you for the read, and please don't forget to thank a veteran at your next opportunity! femmeflashpoint
16 Comments
Mike
12/23/2014 05:41:37 am
Hello femme. What a great review of a wonderful book. The book-snob in me wants to make a change in terminology. The beautifully written stories are available in a paperback edition or printed edition, but not a hardback edition. I was happy to receive my copy and it proudly sits with my copies of Sunny and Her Peers, When Delilah Smiles and God's Playbook.
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femmeflashpoint
12/23/2014 04:51:47 pm
Captain Mike,
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Dear femme,
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femmeflashpoint
12/24/2014 12:52:59 am
Dear Prof. Mahreer,
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Gail Sobotkin
12/23/2014 09:51:46 am
Dear Femme,
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femmeflashpoint
12/24/2014 12:56:38 am
Hi Boomer!
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femmeflashpoint
12/24/2014 12:59:06 am
Dear Martie,
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Shauna L Bowling
12/23/2014 11:06:15 pm
Kimmie sure is on a roll with writing and publishing! What an inspiration! Within My Heart sounds like a wonderful read. And just in time for Christmas!
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femmeflashpoint
12/24/2014 01:02:56 am
Hi Shauna!
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Kimmie
12/23/2014 11:30:55 pm
Dearest Femme,
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femmeflashpoint
12/24/2014 01:04:21 am
Hi Kimi,
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Vicki
12/24/2014 03:13:23 am
femme - another fabulous review of a book that sounds lovely! Kimmie, you are indeed super productive and an inspiration to us all.
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femmeflashpoint
12/24/2014 04:06:11 am
Hi Vicki :)
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Glenda
12/24/2014 09:34:33 pm
Femme, I want to let you know first that I "proofed" your article & did not find one mistake. :) Every review you write draws the readers into the books. You present it in such a way that I along with others I'm sure, want to purchase every book you give a review of! Your friend sounds like an amazing person as well as an author. I most definitely want to add this particular book to my every growing library. Thank you for "putting" authors & their works into the forefront! Love & prayers, your close friend & Editor! Merry Christmas my dear friend!
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femmeflashpoint
12/25/2014 01:10:38 am
Glenda,
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