Fingerprints of God: A Fictional Story (Part One)

Friday, December 13, 2013


(photo credit: Pörrö via photopin cc )

Sunlight streamed through the white curtains reflecting off the glass window pane and thus created an ethereal glow around Noelle’s still, sleeping body. Birds were chirping, squirrels were having a grand old time chasing one another and the deer were bold enough to come close to the feeders displayed on the lawns that were now covered with fresh white snow.

The sound of a distant church bell awoke Noelle. She took one look at her surroundings and had to think for a minute where she was. Then everything came back. It was Christmas and she had high tailed it to the mountains of Colorado where she was in need of a place of rest and refuge. The phone beside her bed rang.

 “Hello?” she answered tentatively.

 “Good morning Miss Hadley and Merry Christmas. This is the front desk calling to check in and make sure you got your luggage upon arrival last night.”

 “Merry Christmas to you too,” Noelle almost instantly placed an artificial smile on her face. It had become a habit now. But she stopped herself knowing she was the only one in the room.

“Yes it’s all here,” she looked at the one tiny brown suitcase she had packed in a hurry. Noelle hardly brought anything for this trip. She figured that if it was going to be a vacation of rest then nice outfits and jewelry were not needed.

 “Oh good, please let us know if there is anything you need. Breakfast should be down in the recreation center in about a half hour” the cheery voice on the other end said.

 “Oh” Noelle bit her lip not wanting to be rude. “Well I was hoping to have breakfast in my room this morning. Jet lag and all."

 “We’ll have Maudie come up with a plate soon Miss Hadley.” Noelle thanked the person on the other end and hung up. She quickly put on her pink fleece robe and began to get ready. A hot shower did her good after the long plane ride yesterday. She let the steam fill up the entire bathroom before she got out, brushed her teeth and put on a pair of jeans and a black sweater.

Noelle looked into the mirror and didn’t recognize the face that looked back at her. The normal rosy color of her cheeks was gone, her genuine smile had been placed with a fake one and the normally sparkling green emerald color of her eyes seemed to become dull and glazed over. She didn’t even bother trying to manage with her long strawberry blonde curls. If they wanted to stick out that way today then she wasn’t going to wrestle with them.

 “Knock, knock!” a woman stepped into the bedroom. The smell of hazelnut coffee, pancakes and peppermint filtered into the bedroom. Noelle hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she smelled all that delicious food.

 “Hello Noelle.” The woman, who looked about 80 smiled at her. “Here’s your breakfast.”

 “Thank you uhhh…” She forgot what the front desk had said her name was.

 “Maudie,” she smiled a warm maternal smile that reminded Noelle of someone. “Good gracious, are you ok dear? You don’t look well.”

 “Oh I’m fine thank you.” Noelle plastered that well rehearsed fake smile on. Maudie raised an eyebrow at her and took a glance around the room as if inspecting it for something.

 “Coffee?” Maudie walked over to the cart where the breakfast plate was located.

 “Yes, thank you.” Noelle accepted the cup and put in some sugar and milk. She expected Maudie to leave but the woman began making the bed. She folded the blankets with what looked like years of experience. Maudie was dressed in a black skirt and white blouse. Her hair was tied up in a neat bun on the back of her head; there was not a strand out of place. Yet despite her appearance, Maudie, had a kind smile and a gentle voice that one could get used to listening to.

 “So Noelle, what a lovely name, why on earth aren’t you home celebrating Christmas with your family and friends?” Noelle was taken aback by the question.

 “Umm” Noelle sat down in the chair by the bed and put her fingers to work by adding more sugar to her coffee. She didn't expect a question like that.

 “Well no matter why you’re here today, I’m happy you chose our place to vacation.”

 “Thank you Maudie. Do you own this place?”

 “I sure do” Maudie smiled with pride. “My husband built it over 50 years ago. Our children were little and we wanted them to experience life out here in the mountains. Life was hard at times, but we were thankful for our home under heaven. The children grew up here and had their friends over to go camping all the time. When they left the house my husband and I felt we needed to do something more so we made this place a vacation home where people could find peace, stillness and a place to discover God. I’ve been doing it ever since my children graduated high school.”

 “That’s so wonderful Maudie” Noelle couldn’t help but give a small smile. “And how about your husband?”

 “Oh my Paul passed away years ago, God rest his soul. But he told me that I was to continue with the home. This place has become a big part of my joy in life.”

 “I’m so sorry to hear about his passing.” Noelle felt her heart drop.

 “Thank you dear. It was hard Noelle. I’m not going to lie. I would lie awake at night longing to hear the heavy breathing of my husband. It used to annoy me at one point but when he was gone I longed to hear it just one more time.”

 “I know how you feel” Noelle whispered. What she wouldn’t give to hear her mother nag at her once again. It had been almost two years since the last time she heard her mother’s voice.

“Life does go on child. And I know I will see Paul again someday, just not on this side of heaven. It will be a beautiful day when I can see his smiling face with the sun streaming through the white clouds reflecting off of the angels of heaven.”

Noelle smiled at the picture.

“In the meantime, my joy is not something that anybody or anything can take away from me.”

Maudie stopped and looked outside the window at the deer nibbling in the bird feeder. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” Noelle teared up at those verses. Her mother used to speak those words to her all the time.

Maudie turned around and smiled at Noelle.

“You eat your breakfast Noelle, then be sure to take a trip to the barn, ok?”

“Thank you Maudie” Noelle whispered softly. Maudie quietly crept out the door leaving Noelle in the silence. Tears streamed down her face and for the first time in years they were tears of joy and not of sadness.


Scriptures referenced: Philippians 4:12-13

(Disclaimer: This is a fictional story with fictional characters and a fictional plot. All copyright belongs to Whispers to the Heart blog.)


share this on »
{Facebook}
{Twitter}
{Pinterest}
3 Comments »

3 Responses to “Fingerprints of God: A Fictional Story (Part One)”

  1. Very beautifully written. It's amazing that I did not need the Google translator because I understood what you wrote. I think you nicely describes the older woman.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much Jedidja! I am so thankful for your kind words. God bless you sweet sister! So good to see you today.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Clotee! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!! Thanks so much for stopping by the blog. It's nice to meet you. I will be sure to visit your e-store/blog today!
    Best wishes to you Clotee. Have a wonderful weekend. God bless you!

    ReplyDelete