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    Stories That Uplift and Inspire
    Stories That Uplift and Inspire
    Stories That Uplift and Inspire
    Ebook52 pages47 minutes

    Stories That Uplift and Inspire

    By Venice Kichura

    ()

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    About this ebook

    It doesn’t take long to realize that life is tough. While some people struggle with drug and alcohol addictions, others battle codependency problems and feelings of low self-esteem. Many people feel the pain and loneliness of being separated or estranged from friends and loved ones.

    Hurting parents who grieve over the poor choices of their grown children know that emotional pain can sometimes be even worse than physical pain. This reality is depicted in my short story, “The Lost Wallet”, which I wrote based on a true life event.

    Stories That Uplift and Inspire is an anthology of Christian short stories designed to encourage and entertain readers. Although some short stories deal with serious issues, they don’t always have to be deep to convey a message. Humor is another healing tool that can also be used. I wrote my short story, “And Mama Never Found Out”, based on the true story of how my own fun-loving, Southern Baptist mother once snuck out of her house, as a teenager, to go to a dance during the 1930s.

    It’s my prayer that these stories will minister healing and encouragement to my readers, knowing they’re not alone and that there is always hope found in Jesus Christ.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherVenice Kichura
    Release dateApr 14, 2011
    ISBN9781458110954
    Stories That Uplift and Inspire
    Author

    Venice Kichura

    Venice Kichura is a freelance writer who writes for several websites and has been published in print media. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Venice holds a Bachelor of Science in English and History. She started her writing career as a feature writer for a South Florida newspaper where she also wrote a weekly column. Venice has been published in several print publications, including “Connecticut Parents Magazine", “God Allows U-Turns”, "Pentecostal Evangel","Sonlight Christian Newspaper" and others. She’s written more than 1,000 internet articles which have been published in sites such as Suite 101 and Associated Content. As a writer for Demand Media since 2008, she's written numerous articles for websites such as "Garden Guides" and others. Venice has a passion for encouraging others in their Christian walk and has written book reviews for the Christianity section of About.com.

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      Book preview

      Stories That Uplift and Inspire - Venice Kichura

      Reunion at the Beach

      And Other Flash Fiction Stories

      By Venice Kichura

      Smashwords Edition

      *****

      Published by:

      Venice Kichura on Smashwords

      *****

      Reunion at the Beach

      and Other Flash Fiction Stories

      Cover art by Venice Kichura

      Copyright 2011 Venice Kichura

      *****

      Smashwords Edition License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      *****

      Stories

      Reunion at the Beach

      Traveling Lighter for a Better Journey

      The Gift of Transparency

      Her Apron Retreat

      The Gift of Lula Mae

      It’s Just a Mouse

      I Need More Space

      God’s Needle Nuggets

      Just Be Happy

      Consider the Ant

      The Best Fragrance

      Lord, Make Me More Like Noah

      Shopping in Dixie

      Thank God for My Cold Basement

      Lighthouses in the Darkness

      I’ve Made Friends with the Fifties

      *****

      Reunion at the Beach

      Take me now, Sonny. Today would have been our fiftieth wedding anniversary if my Walter hadn’t died nine months ago.

      But Aunt Bessie, you know I can’t take you to the beach. You need your rest and probably the nursing home director won’t let you go.

      Oh fiddlesticks. Tell him whatever you have to. Just grant a sick, old woman one last wish.

      Arguing with his stubborn old aunt was nothing unusual for Pastor Delwin. He may have led countless souls to Christ as a gifted preacher, but when it came to persuading his Aunt Bessie about anything, especially her soul, it was a lost cause.

      Affectionately called Sonny for the son she never had, Delwin was her only living relative. Bessie’s late husband, his Uncle Walter, had been her whole life and now she was alone. When he passed away part of Bessie died, too. Unable to live alone, she went into a nursing home, as she recuperated from two major heart attacks.

      Okay, he said, reluctantly.

      He wheeled Aunt Bessie to the front desk. I want to take my aunt out for just a couple of hours.

      All right, just watch her carefully and bring her back before dark, the director said.

      Lifting her frail, 98-pound body from the wheelchair into the front seat, Delwin carefully fastened her seat belt and closed the car door, praying silently.

      She’s all yours, Lord. This trip is against my better judgment, but I’m listening to my heart. I place her in your hands."

      As he drove, Bessie retold the familiar story of how she and Walter had rekindled a teenage romance almost 51 years ago at a high school reunion beach party. Six months later they stood in front of the ocean, saying I do. Each year on their anniversary they would return to the beach.

      They had enjoyed a charmed life together. The only thing missing was a common faith. Uncle Walter was a Christian, but Aunt Bessie was not the religious type, although she was a devoted wife. After awhile, Uncle Walter stopped saving her a seat at church.

      Smelling the fresh, salty air, they knew the beach was up ahead.

      There‘s the spot! exclaimed Aunt Bessie. It’s under that palm tree that we got married.

      Delwin drove into the beach parking lot and debated if she should get out. The excitement would be too much for her, he thought.

      Instead of insisting they get out of the car, Bessie suddenly became quiet. Her tired old hazel eyes grew serious. She turned to her nephew and asked. Is it too late?

      "No, the beach doesn’t close until dark. But I don’t

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