Looking for a Miracle by Wanda E. Brunstetter Read Free Book Online Page B

such a pleasant, easygoing child, and I thought you had come to accept your limitations. However, since you’ve become a young woman, I’ve noticed a definite change in your attitude, and I’m not sure I like what I see.”
    Rebekah sniffed deeply, swiping at the tears running down her cheeks. “When I was a little girl, you all spoiled me. Someone was always around to care for me or just sit and talk, the way Grandma often did. I thought there would always be someone available to provide for my needs. Now I know I’m really a burden, and someday I might not have anyone to care for me.”
    Mom moved from her place on the bed and knelt in front of Rebekah. She grasped her hands and held them tightly. “Losing Grandma has made us all aware of how fragile life is. None of us will live on this earth forever. Someday, every believer will join Grandma in heaven.” She closed her eyes, as though searching for just the right words. When she opened them again, she was smiling. “We’re a close family, and I’m sure that, even after your daed and I are both gone, someone will take over the responsibility of your care.”
    Rebekah nearly choked on the sob rising in her throat. “I—I don’t want anyone to
have
to be responsible for me. I want to provide for myself—at least financially.” She wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. “I just don’t know what someone like me can do to make enough money in order to accomplish that goal.”
    “You could sell eggs or do some handcrafts and take them to the farmers’ market,” Mom suggested.
    “Doing small things like selling eggs or crafts wouldn’t give me enough money.” Rebekah felt as if Mom was treating her like a child, and it irked her just a bit.
    “If it means so much to you, maybe you should pray about the matter and search God’s Word for wisdom.” Mom stood. “Why don’t you keep Grandma’s
Biewel?
I think she would have wanted you to have it. I know the scriptures gave her a lot of comfort, not to mention answers whenever she needed the Lord’s guidance.”
    Rebekah thought about the underlined verses in Grandma’s Bible. Maybe she would continue to search for other scriptures Grandma might have underlined or highlighted. Perhaps the miracle she was looking for could be found in one of those passages.
    ***
    Sarah returned to the kitchen with a heavy heart, and she flopped into a chair at the table with a moan. If there was only something she could say or do to help her daughter accept her limitations and gain back the joy she had known when she was a child. As a toddler, Rebekah had been so adventuresome, always attempting new things, and full of laughter and smiles, even when she fell down or didn’t get her way on something. The first few years after Rebekah’s accident, she had been easygoing and seemed positive about her situation.
    But things began to change when Rebekah started into puberty, and by the time she’d become a teenager, she had developed a completely different attitude. Things she used to shrug off or even laugh about now became issues. She seemed worried about being a burden to others, lacked the confidence of other young women her age, and sometimes succumbed to depression.
    Since Grandma’s passing, Rebekah’s dismal attitude seemed to have gotten worse, and it concerned Sarah that she couldn’t reach her daughter or help ease her despair.
    Sarah glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall near the door and shook her head. The handicap convention had already taken place, and there wouldn’t be another one until next year, so the idea of taking Rebekah there was certainly out. If only she had been willing to go. If only...
    Feeling the need to pray, Sarah closed her eyes and lowered her head to the table.
Heavenly Father, please comfort Rebekah, and give me the strength to keep trying to be an encouragement to her.
She paused and swiped at the tears trickling down her cheeks.
If it’s Your will for my daughter to