To Walk By Faith, Not By Sight

This is an old story I wrote for a contest a year ago this month! I came across it and thought it was precious, and I wanted to share. It's a two-chapter short story. The message I wrote about is so very true for us all!

To Walk By Faith, Not By Sight by year-younger Izzy West *silly face*

Chapter One 

Melissa Miller tramped down 2nd Street, humming “Jingle Bells.” The snowy ice under her feet crunched beneath her boots as she watched the cars and trucks inch past. Brilliant lights in the shop windows winked at her and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” blared from one of the town’s speakers. 

Melissa smiled. Christmas time had always been fun in the Miller residence. Gifts, a lit tree, and enthusiastic parties in the evening. Usually the Miller children opened stockings on Christmas Eve. 

Christmas is all about fun and presents and giving, Melissa thought, turning onto Washington Avenue. Ahead of her sat a green Honda Civic, rumbling pleasant noises as heat came off the ground around it. She dashed towards it, opened the door, and leaped inside. 

Her seventeen-year-old brother, Leonard, turned and looked at her blankly. “What took you so long?” 

“Errands,” Melissa retorted hotly, buckling herself in. “Quick. I need to stop by the mall.” 

Leonard rolled his eyes and pulled the car onto the road. Five minutes later, they pulled into the mall’s parking lot. Once parked, Melissa jumped out, waved to her brother, and hurried inside Barnes & Noble. She picked out a book for her mother and entered the hallway connecting all the stores together. 

She got a brand-new football for her college brother, Mark. (His old one had deflated after Leonard ran over it with the lawn mower.) She bought a Starbucks gift certificate for her eight-year-old sister, Lily, who hadn’t asked for anything more. She purchased new earrings for Crystal and a new shirt for her father, whose best one he’d spilt coffee on. Finally, she ran through snowflakes back to Leonard, who grabbed the stuff and inspected it. 

“Nothing for me?” he whined. 

Melissa snorted, and patted her sweatshirt pocket. “Silly! I have your gift right here.” 

Leonard lunged for her. She scooted closer to the door, giggling. After a few tickles, Leonard gave up and slouched in his seat. 

“Let’s go home.” 

The Honda started up. They backed out of the parking spot and drove through the lot towards the exit. Finally, they reached the freeway. In a half hour, they arrived at the neighborhood and pulled into the driveway of the house. 

Melissa stepped out of the car. The house seemed silent. Quietly and quickly, she entered and scurried up to her room. So far, no one had seen her. She threw her door open - and was quickly tackled. 

“Show me! Show me your weapons!” 

“Get off, get off!” shrieked Melissa, who couldn’t see anything but a fluffy pink ear. “I said get off!” 

The attacker paid no heed. A quick search awarded the villain two books, a shirt, a gift card, a football, and earrings.

Lily, dressed in a pig onesie (that explained the pink ear), opened a brown-covered Book engraved with the gold words Holy Bible, and read the first words. She turned up an inquisitive eyebrow. “This is a God book, Lissa . . . ?” 

Wrinkling her brow, Melissa snatched the Book and looked it over. “What in the world?” I was sure I bought Mom a different book! She stood up fast as lightning. “Lily, can you take these gifts into my room?” 

“Except this gift card.” She waved the Starbucks card in the air. “This is mine.” 

“So it is.” Melissa sighed. “Go away, Lily. I need to think about something.” She scooped the gifts into her arm and entered her bedroom, this time without ambushing. 

She opened the Holy Bible, right near the end, and read the big words at the top of the page. 

Matthew. 

Sinking into her bed, she started to read. Intrigued, she continued to read. Pretty soon, she’d absorbed all 28 chapters in Matthew. 

Her head went crazy. 

This is incredible! Her heart soared. I never knew . . . She opened to the middle of the book and started to read a book called Psalms. She flipped a few pages and came to Psalm 23.