“There’s nothing wrong with charity, especially when you really need it. Besides, this is for the kids.”
“But I feel bad taking when I have nothing to give back,” she lamented.
“You’re looking at it all wrong.”
“What do you mean?” She leaned back and clutched a throw pillow to her chest.
“Do you know the meaning of the word charity?”
She shrugged and guessed. “To give to those less fortunate?”
“Well, yeah that’s one definition. But I was talking about the Biblical definition.”
“No, I don’t know that one.”
“It means a love that costs something or love in action. In essence, an act of true love. Most people consider it a blessing to give to those in need.”
“I don’t know, Wesley…” She sighed.
“They want to help you out, Shannon. We believe it is more blessed to give than to receive. Truly. That’s how Christians show the love of Jesus. And what better time to show His love than when we celebrate His birth? Jesus’ entire life and legacy was about giving. That’s why He came to earth.”
She frowned. “I’m not sure I understand all that. I don’t really even know that much about Jesus.”
“Do you want to?” Because if she didn’t want to know, he wouldn’t push. But if she did… God, please speak to Shannon’s heart.
“Yeah, sure. I guess.”
“Okay, well, what do you already know about Jesus?”
“Well, He’s supposed to be the baby in the manger, right? And He’s supposed to be the one who is on the crosses, like on jewelry and paintings.” She shook her head. “I probably sound like a complete idiot.”
“No, not at all. Yes, Jesus was born in a manger, and He was the one on the cross.” He smiled. “But do you know why He came?”
“To save us from our sins?”
“That’s right. He was literally born to die. To offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.” He nodded. “But the story actually started at the beginning of the world.”
“It did?”
“Well, God has always been, but the human story began then. In the very beginning of life on earth, God created Adam and Eve and put them in The Garden of Eden. He gave them a choice. They chose to disobey God and were kicked out of the garden. Until then, Adam had perfect fellowship with God. But at the point that Adam sinned, he brought sin upon the entire human race. So, everyone who has been born after that, beginning with Adam and Eve’s children, is born with a sin nature. We are all sinners.
“Cain was the first person born. He was also the first murderer. He killed his brother, Abel, because he was jealous of him. See, they both brought a sacrifice to God. God accepted Abel’s sacrifice because he brought what God required – blood. Cain brought vegetables and God rejected Cain’s sacrifice.”
“Vegetables?”
“Well, he brought produce, whatever he’d grown in the garden.”
“Why did God reject Cain’s but not Abel’s?”
“Because a blood sacrifice is required to atone for sin. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission, the Bible says. It has to be blood.”
“Why?”
“I’m guessing it comes back to the word charity. A love that costs you something, a costly love. I think it was probably a lot more painful to have to kill an innocent animal than to pull up a basket of veggies. And I believe that back then, animals and mankind had a much closer relationship than we do now. Animals were not afraid of humans and vice versa. It was also a picture of us trying to reach God by going about it our own way. We can’t reject what God has told us to do and then expect Him to reward us. We, like Cain, must do what is required.” He shrugged. “But even then God gave Cain the chance to make things right, to bring the sacrifice He required.”
“But he didn’t?”
“No. He got angry and killed his brother. He placed a curse on himself.”
“So, when we sin, we curse ourselves?”
“Wow, that’s good insight. But yes, you’re totally right.” He nodded.
“But you don’t offer sacrifices or anything, do you?” Her lips twisted.
He wouldn’t laugh at her expression. Her questions were precious, though.
“No. Jesus was my sacrifice. That’s why He died on the cross.”
“What?” Her head tilted to one side.
“Up until the time when Jesus came, men were still required to offer animal sacrifices. It was something that they had to do every year. If you read the story of Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary brought a sacrifice to the temple.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “But Jesus’ death fulfilled the righteous demands of the law. When He died, He offered Himself as a sacrifice, once and for all. For all men, for all time. Understand?”
“Kind of?”
He chuckled. “You don’t sound too confident.”
She shook her head.
“The sacrifice God required was one without spot or blemish, so for Jesus to fulfill that requirement, He had to be perfect, sinless. Which He was. The Bible says He was tempted in all points, yet He was without sin.”
“Wow.”
“I know, right? I sin every day. Like automatically.”
“You do?”
He laughed now. “You have no idea. And that’s exactly why I needed Jesus to save me. I could never get into Heaven on my own, because I’m a sinner. But when I accepted Jesus’ offer to pay for those sins, He took them upon Himself. Now, when I stand before God when this life is over, He will accept me because of what Christ did.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because God says so in His Word, the Bible.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “Well, what about me and everyone else who doesn’t go to church and read the Bible and all that? Do I…does that mean that I won’t go to Heaven?”
“Well, I think you’re getting works mixed up with salvation. Those are two totally different things.”
“They are?”
“Yes. Salvation, or to be saved, meaning you are going to Heaven, has only one requirement.”
“What is it?”
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Basically, you trust Jesus to save you. He pays for your sins, so you don’t have to.”
“But I already believe in Jesus. I’ve never doubted that He’s real or anything. And I believe in God. I’m not an atheist. So, I guess I don’t really understand.”
“Well, intellectual faith is not enough. The Bible says that even the devils believe, and tremble. A faith that saves is one that you believe with your whole heart. And when that happens, you are born again.”
“I’ve heard that term before but I don’t quite understand it.”
“Remember I told you we inherit Adam’s sin nature?”
She nodded.
“The Bible says we are dead in trespasses and sins. It is a spiritual death, a separation from God. The spirit is what becomes born again when you trust Jesus to save you. Your spirit is revived because God’s Spirit comes to live inside you and that fellowship with God is restored.”
“God’s Spirit?”
“Yes. And you will know when God’s Spirit is living inside you.”
“How?”
“Well, I got saved when I was about seventeen. I used to party, go watch bad movies, drink alcohol, all kinds of things. But when Jesus came to live inside me, I no longer found pleasure in those things. I want to do what He wants me to do now. All that stuff I used to do didn’t bring glory to God. As a child of God, I have a chance to earn rewards in Heaven.”
“Rewards in Heaven? Okay, that just went way over my head.”
“I’m talking too much. I’m sorry, but talking about what Jesus has done for me excites me.”
She laughed. “I can tell.”
“But it all boils down to this. Everyone needs to be saved. If we’re not, we have no hope of Heaven.”
“And if we
don’t go to Heaven?”
“There is only one other place to go.” He frowned.
“Hell?”
“Well, actually hell is a temporary place. The final destination for those who reject Christ is the Lake of Fire.”
Her eyes grew large. “A lake of fire? That sounds scary.”
“It is. And it’s not something anyone should mess around with. If God says something in His Word is true and real, you better believe that it is. God cannot lie.”
“Wow. I definitely don’t want to go there.”
“Me neither.”
“Why does God make people go there? It sounds so horrible.”
“God doesn’t make anyone go there. God is not willing that anyone should perish. That’s why He sent Jesus. Everyone who is in Hell has made a conscious choice to reject God’s free gift of salvation. It’s free! It doesn’t even make any sense to me that people would reject it when it’s totally free for them. Christ has already suffered so they don’t have to. Jesus paid it all. Hell and the Lake of Fire were intended for the devil and his angels.”
“So, that’s where the devil is?”
“Not yet, but he will be.”
She shuttered. “I don’t even like to think about that.”
“Me neither. But I sure do love thinking about how wonderful Heaven is going to be!”
“Wesley, I want to go to Heaven too.” Her eyes shimmered with moisture.
He released a heavy sigh, relief flooding him. “Thank you! I could kiss you right now. But I won’t. Yet.” He felt like shouting, “Glory, Hallelujah!”
She smiled.
“If you want to go to Heaven, it’s as simple as trusting Jesus. Confess with your mouth, believe in your heart.”
“Will you pray with me?”
“I’d love to.” He reached for her hands and they both bowed their heads.
SEVENTEEN
Wesley couldn’t wipe the grin off his face as he drove toward Shannon’s house. He knew that he and the boys would have a good time today, and he couldn’t wait to see the look on Shannon’s face when they returned home from their excursion. He’d made sure to bring along his camera so he could share the special moments with her at a later time.
As soon as he drove up, Jaycee and Brighton shot out of the house. Shannon tagged behind them with Melanie in her arms. She walked up to the driver’s side window as the boys piled in the truck.
“I think if they had to wait another minute, they would burst,” Shannon said. He loved her smile.
“I might be just as excited as they are.” Wesley grinned in return.
“Jaycee, grab your booster out of the car first.”
“Ah, I hate that thing. I want to ride in the truck like a big person.”
She held up her hands and shrugged. “Sorry.”
“It’s the law,” Wesley added. “You don’t want me to get a ticket, do you?”
“No, I guess not,” Jaycee grumbled, but retrieved his seat anyway.
“It’ll be worth it. I promise.” Wesley said the words to Jaycee, but he winked at Shannon.
“Just what do you have planned for today?” Shannon’s lips twisted.
“Nope. That’s top-secret information.” Wesley teased. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Well, you three have fun, then.” Shannon waved to the boys.
He wasn’t about to leave without giving her a kiss. He leaned out the window and briefly kissed her lips. “I’ll miss you.”
The boys waved goodbye to their sister as Wesley backed up out of the driveway.
Brighton turned to Wesley once they were on the road. “What are we doing?”
“First, we’re going to go find something special for your sister for Christmas. I need you two to help me pick something out. Then after that, I figured we’d go get some pizza.”
“Pizza!” Both boys whooped and hollered.
Apparently, that had been a good choice for their meal. He planned to let them play some of the games at the kids’ pizza place too, but he’d keep that part a surprise.
“And then I have another surprise. But we can’t go there until last.”
“For reals?” Jaycee bounced. “Where? Where?”
Wesley shook his head. “Not telling. You’re gonna have to wait.”
He clapped his hands together. “This is gonna be the best day ever! Huh, Brighton?”
Brighton shrugged. “I guess.”
~
“This is fun! Thank you for bringing us here. And for getting something special for my sister.” Brighton slipped a token into a game of skeet ball, between Jaycee and Wesley.
“Yeah, it’s super cool! Thank you, Wesley! I think you might be my favorite. Well, after Santa,” Jaycee exclaimed.
Wesley chuckled and tossed a ball into the five-thousand-point hole. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re having a good time. Now remember, Jaycee, you can’t tell Shannon that we got her something. It needs to be a surprise, okay?”
“Okay.”
“No hints, either,” Brighton warned.
“I won’t tell. For reals,” Jaycee asserted.
“Well, we need to scoot if we’re going to go to our last destination. Are you guys ready to turn your tickets in and claim your prizes?”
“I still have a couple of tokens,” Brighton said.
“Me too,” said Jaycee.
“Do you want to give them to the little girl over there?” Wesley suggested, nodding to a young girl standing and watching someone else play one of the games. “I don’t think she got to play very much.”
“Okay.”
They walked to the little girl and handed her the tokens. Her face illuminated like one of the arcade games. “Thank you!”
Jaycee beamed as they walked to the prize counter. “She was really happy.”
Wesley slid a glance at both boys. “Doesn’t it feel good to make someone happy?”
“Yeah, it does,” Brighton said.
Jaycee nodded. “I like to make people happy, just like Santa!”
Wesley didn’t correct him. Someday he might, when the time was right, and with Shannon’s permission. It was difficult to fathom that the Parker family grew up being told about Santa Claus, yet they had no clue about the true meaning of the season. The thought brought sadness to his heart. How many more children out there had never heard about God’s love gift to the world? He’d just taken for granted growing up in a Christian home.
He needed to think of a way to show these boys what Christmas was all about. He could read them the Christmas story, but he wanted it to be memorable for them, he wanted it to be real. Just then, an idea popped into his mind. Excitement bubbled in his chest at the thought of making his idea a reality.
As soon as the boys redeemed their tickets for prizes, they headed for the truck.
“Are you two ready for our last stop?” He maneuvered out of the parking lot and onto the main road.
“Yeah, yeah! Where is it? Where is it?”
Wesley laughed at Jaycee’s enthusiasm. “It’s a ways away. It might be a while before we get there. And it’s gonna take some big muscles.”
“Brighton has big muscles. Show him, Brighton,” Jaycee boasted, nudging his brother.
“They’re not big compared to Wesley’s, Jaycee.”
“Let me see,” Wesley encouraged. “Flex for me.”
Brighton and Jaycee both rolled up their sleeves and did as told.
Wesley grinned. “Hey, that’s pretty good! Must be all that basketball playing.”
“Brighton’s real strong,” Jaycee asserted.
“I don’t think my muscles were that big when I was your age,” Wesley said.
“For reals?” Jaycee looked at Brighton, his eyes sparkling. “You’re going to have bigger muscles than Wesley!”
Wesley nodded. “Probably. And you’re going to need those muscles to cut down and carry the tree we’re going to get.”
“We’re going to get a tree?” There
was no end to Jaycee’s excitement.
“We get to cut it down too?” Brighton eyed Wesley.
“That’s right.” Wesley nodded.
“But Shan said we don’t have money for a tree.” Jaycee frowned.
“It’s my gift to you,” Wesley insisted.
“But you already got us pizza and let us play lots of games.”
He chuckled. “Just don’t expect it all the time or I’ll go broke.”
~
Shannon peeked out the window when lights from a vehicle flashed on the wall. Wesley and the boys were back! She couldn’t wait to hear about the adventures they’d had. She imagined Jaycee’s excitement and smiled just thinking about it.
Wesley sure had been a blessing in their lives. He’d told Aiden he was permanent. She just hoped he’d never change his mind. Because being with somebody like Wesley would be a dream come true.
“Shan! Shan!” Jaycee burst through the door with a smile larger than life. “You’ll never guess what we got! And Brighton and I did it all by ourselves!”
She laughed and met Wesley’s gaze as he walked in with Brighton. “Did what?”
“Come to the truck. You’ll see,” Wesley beckoned. He turned to Brighton and Jaycee. “Do you think we should make her wear a blindfold?”
“Yeah!’ Jaycee jumped.
“How about if I just close my eyes and you can lead me by the hand?” she suggested.
Wesley glanced over her shoulder into the house. “Where’s Melanie?”
“She’s asleep already. I didn’t expect you three to be out this late. It is a school night.” She looked at the boys.
“Ah…does that mean we’ll have to wait?” Jaycee whined.
“Wait for what?”
Wesley put his finger to his lips, aiming a shh at Jaycee.
“I think you just need to come with us right now. You’ll see.” Wesley reached for her hand. “Now, close your eyes.”
Wesley pulled her along until, she guessed, they were standing near his truck. He let go of her hand and it sounded like he was opening the tailgate. Oh.
“Okay, open your eyes.”
“I can smell it.” She said, her eyes still closed. “It’s a Christmas tree!” She opened them to find her assumption correct.
Jaycee nodded. “Uh huh, and Brighton and me cut it down and carried it all the way back to the truck!”
Unlikely Santa Page 9