Miracles in the Night

Pawpaw's Sleigh Ride

Oh my, what a beautiful day! The sun was out, and the snow sparkled with tiny prisms of rainbows. But this wouldn’t last long, as the crystals of ice surrendered to the warmth of the sun and began to melt.

Little newborn streams formed and flowed, wiggling and crawling, revealing what the white blanket had hidden the night before. And by noon, Pawpaw realized that it was a perfectly fine time to go out excursioning.

Besides, it would do him good to get out for a bit, having been stuck inside for nearly a whole week. So he got into his electric wheelchair, and off he went to the store.

The short trip was quite uneventful, except that it was nice to get out in the sun. So Pawpaw thanked the Lord for His kindness and for His wink of mercy.

Now, the Lil’ Debils were oh-so-not-happy about this. They fussed and moaned and complained, which was their usual pastime, besides being up to no good and then some.

They threw rocks and their mocks and even their socks at him, but his inherent faith deflected them.

But due to his faith and his good graces,
Pawpaw was infamous in low places.

An awful prince of the cold blew through the streets
And conjured up a storm that caused it to snow in sheets.
Ephesians 2:2

When Pawpaw saw this, he did not stay,
But headed straight home without delay.

On his way home, on the second-to-last turn,
His wheelchair hit the curb, but there was no concern.

For no harm was done, so that was all right,
And his home was there in sight.

Safe and warm at home seemed guaranteed,
But a car took that curve at reckless speed.

It slid right into Pawpaw too fast
And drove unconcerned right on past.

Poor Pawpaw. When he hit the ground,
it made a most horrible sound.

The driver knew he had hit something wrong,
But ignored his conscience and drove right along.

He got back on the street and drove away,
While poor Pawpaw on his side did lay.

Now his three little granddaughters in Heaven were watching above,
Gracie, Luna, and Rosie, little angels bound to him by their love.
Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 12:1; Hebrews 13:2

Of course, the blessed ones were crying.
1 Peter 1:12; John 11:35

Rosie could hardly talk. “Oh, Pawpaw! Our Pawpaw!”

Luna wiped her tears. “Oh, that driver! I should teach him what's for, and what’s more!”
1 Corinthians 12:26; Romans 12:15

Gracie held back her tears, held onto Luna, and said, “Stay here with Rosie while I get permissions!”

She nodded to Rosie, and off she went, faster than “fast” and no slower than “go.”

Rosie and Luna held onto each other and looked down upon Pawpaw.

Rosie: “Can’ts we goes? It is an emergency!”

Suddenly, Gracie popped into place. They could see by her face that the news was not so good.

Gracie: “We have permission to go, but permissions to miracle? No.”

The three little angels stifled their tears.

Gracie: “Come on, sisters! There’s no time to waste!”

She took hold of her sisters’ hands, and off they went.

Now Gracie could go so much faster than they could know! Therefore, they were there in an instant, and that was so.

It was snowing harder, and the sun had gone down. Pawpaw could no longer be seen from the road, and what’s worse, he was being covered with snow.

Gracie looked up into the sky. If only she could miracle!

She brushed the snow off Pawpaw and said to her sisters, “Oh my, he’s bad off. We must get him inside, but remember, we may not miracle.”

So they tried with all their might to move Pawpaw upright, but all three could do little.

“This is not working!” said Gracie.

And then, somewhere in the distance, she heard O Holy Night playing, for it was close to the Christmas season.

She cried out to Jesus, “Beauty of God, help me know what to do!”

The wind and snow whipped at their faces.

And then it came to her—a plan so clear!

Gracie: “Dear sisters! We must get Pawpaw to the hospital and out of this place! If we can’t miracle ourselves, we must go for help!”

Luna: “But this is the City of NoFaith! It will take too long to find anyone who will hear us!”

But Gracie said, “That is no matter, for we will go to the animals for help! Rosie, you get all the little animals you can find to help…” And she told her the plan.

“And Luna, you get the biggest doggie you can find. With fortune, he will be kind. As for me, I must stay with Pawpaw.”

For she knew those devils lurked about.

And as soon as the little angels rushed off, the little devils began to surround Gracie and Pawpaw.

With the indignation of righteousness, Gracie floated into the air and shone her best. Now, only the pure in heart could see such a sight, so not one human there could see this light. Nor could the little devils, for they were blinded by its brilliance.

But those devils who dared approach,
with her faithful light she did reproach.
Not even the big devils dared get close,
lest they suffer another dose!

And Gracie sang songs of Christmas so dear, for her Lord and for her Pawpaw.

Rosie zipped off to all the little animals and begged for help. Most would not listen; some ran off. But one little squirrel listened to Rosie's pleas.

“Oh, little squirrel, we needs your helps!”

He wiggled his nose in affirmation.

And that little squirrel rushed to those animals who would listen. And then the little animals came to Rosie, hopping, scampering, flying, and scooting.

Rosie exclaimed, “Oh, blessed bunnies, squirrellies, and birdies!” But a couple of raccoons came, too. And she told them just what to do.

Now Luna wasn't having much fortune, going from dog to dog, asking for help. Because they sniffed at her, snorted at her, or turned their noses up at her, so much so that she nearly cried.

Seeing no other place to turn, she landed on the sidewalk and cried.

But a great big Saintly Bernard had heard and came up behind her. He nudged her back to get her attention.

When she realized he was there to help, she hugged him but good! And they rushed off to help Pawpaw.

He insisted that she ride on top, and as they ran, he woofed and insisted and recruited a few more doggies of mercy.

Now Rosie and the little animals were very busy!

Those raccoons were unhooking the Christmas lights, and with Rosie's help, the squirrels were wrapping them up. The bunnies took those lights and rushed off ahead with them to Pawpaw, aided by the birdies in flight.

By the time some of the dogs arrived, the weather was too bad, and no one was out and about.

The devils had given up, and there was not a one to be seen.

Pawpaw was in bad shape, but Gracie knew just what to do, for the bunnies of kindness had just arrived.

She took those strings of lights and tied them around Pawpaw’s wheelchair.

“Now, doggies, we must be careful, for we must set Pawpaw upright, and without delay!”

Gracie tied the dogs together as if they were to pull a sleigh.

“Come on now, give it your all!”

Now, she could not miracle, but she could encourage and push! So that she did. And slowly, they set Pawpaw upright.

A big, fat, furry kitty cat curled around her ankles, wanting to know what to do. She picked the kitty up with a tear in her eye.

“You shall have the most important job.”

She set the cat into Pawpaw's lap.

“Please keep Pawpaw warm.”

And up rode Luna with the great big Saintly Bernard.

Gracie shouted, “Thank goodness you arrived! He shall be the lead!”

Now Rosie and her little critters rushed up from all around, carrying strings of Christmas lights. Gracie coordinated the effort, and between her, Luna, and Rosie, they had Pawpaw in his wheelchair readied as if it were a sleigh.

Gracie took the reins, but all the doggies together could not pull him.

Seeing the sad little angels, the squirrels scampered and squeaked, and the bunnies hopped and thumped, insisting that they be attached to the strings, too. So the squirrels and the bunnies were attached, and they all pulled together.

Alas, it was still not enough! But then the birdies wrapped the strings around the sleigh and flew into the air.

Suddenly, with all the animals giving it all they had, the wheelchair scooted!

Gracie called out the names of doggies, squirrellies, bunnies, and birdies:

“On Buddy, on Toby, on Pip, on Taco! On Bitty, on Lennie and Nibbles! On Minnie, on Lulu, on Bella, and Quibbles…!”

Luna hopped onto the Saintly Bernard.

“Hi-ho, Saintly Bernard, and away!

Rosie flew into the sky.

Gracie called out, “Oh, Rosie, with your glow so bright, won't you lead the way this very night!”

And Rosie glowed with light like no one's business… except for possibly someone named Rudolph. And she led the way to the hospital.

Off in the distance could be heard “Wizards in Winter,” the entire procession quite absurd!

There was Pawpaw, unconscious in his wheelchair, tied in with Christmas lights, with Gracie behind him as the determined little driver.

“Come on, bunnies! You can do it!”

Strings of Christmas lights radiated out in front of him, with lines of squirrels, bunnies, birdies, and, of course, the doggies! Off they rushed, carrying Pawpaw through the fields, with little Rosie lighting the way.

And Luna cheered on the animals as she lit the strings of Christmas lights. From above, it appeared as if a Christmas tree of lights was on the ground, rushing to the south.

Now, without Rosie's guidance, they might have run into a lot of trouble. She helped them avoid the brambles and the puddles, and other such muddles.

They rushed and they ran, and they gave it all they got, for six whole miles this procession did trot!

They crashed into the hospital parking lot and did not stop. All the way to the Emergency Room doors they did go, without delay.

Now, inside that hospital, all was quiet, as they had no patients. Perhaps this was due to the unexpected snow, you know?

Luna lit up the Christmas lights, oh, so bright, but Gracie wagged her finger. To miracle among themselves was fine, but they had no permission to miracle to that degree.

So Luna simply plugged the Christmas lights in, don’t you see!

The girls set the animals free, and they all ran off to hide. But no one inside noticed them.

So the birdies tapped excitedly at the windows, but no one came until Luna conducted them in tapping out “Carol of the Bells.”

Goodness, that got their attention!

A nurse rushed out and froze when she saw the strange scene. There was Pawpaw, lit up like a Christmas tree, with most of the strings of lights glowing. The untied lights lay on the ground in the shape of a Christmas tree.

Thinking it was a hoax, she approached cautiously. But when she realized that the poor man was in danger, she called out, “This is an emergency! We have someone out here in serious trouble!”

The whole Emergency Room rushed out when they heard about the lights, and Pawpaw got immediate attention and then some!

And it was a good thing, too, as he had little time left.

Gracie asked the little animals to remain as the three little angels went inside. They watched and made sure that Pawpaw would be okay.

They whispered quiet words of love and encouragement to the nurses and doctors until they knew he was going to be all right.

Then they rushed out to the animals and blessed each and every one.

Gracie spoke blessings over them.

“Little squirrellies, may your cheeks always be full of the best of nuts, as you will.

And may you bunnies find happiness wherever you look.

Kitty, may you have plenty of love and toys and joys.

And little doggies, may you have treats and sweets and affections.

And raccoons, may your adorable features protect you from horrible creatures.

And little birdies, may you always find that your next meal will be kind…”

And she was moved to speak to the Saintly Bernard something special,
“For going out of your way this very day,
May you find happiness in every way.”

And as they left, one by one, Rosie would tap each of them with her silly toy bubble wand and say, “Love!”

For love she truly did bequeath to them, so that they felt loved long past the holiday season.

And as they flew, scurried, scampered, or hopped on home, Luna lit the way for them with her moonbeams.

Now those three little angels put everything back… without working one miracle. And when they were finished, they knew that they had to return Home.

But Luna said, “You two can go home, but I'm going to visit a certain driver and give him a Christmas present he won't forget!”

Gracie: “But Luna, you can't! You know we're not like that!”

Luna: “But neither is Pawpaw! He did not deserve to be treated like that way! Besides, I have something interesting in mind.”

Reluctantly, Gracie and Rosie followed Luna to the home of that driver of no conscience.

Luna was about to appear as a ghost and shake him but good, but Gracie shook her head.

Luna sighed. “We're angels of goodness… really, really goodness besides.”

So she left him a picture that she had drawn herself with crayons.

Then the three little angels made a quick stop back at the hospital. They kissed their unconscious but safe Pawpaw goodbye and returned to their Home with our Lord.

The next day, the inconsiderate man woke up and found Luna's crayon picture.

It was of Pawpaw lying in the snow, with the three little angels beside him, crying and praying.

The man looked at the silly little preschool drawing, paused for a moment, and began to cry.

“What have I done?”

Luna's Picture

And after a struggle, he relented and then repented.

And his conscience found him.

And it matters to me, and perhaps to you, that the fat cat found the Saintly Bernard and persuaded him to follow her home.

And he got a new family that day—a family who loved to give their pets too much, especially for holidays like Christmas.

Somewhere, a cute little squirrel would look up into the sky. He remembered little Rosie, and he wiggled his little nose.

Farewell, our dear little angels for sure,
Like Gracie, Luna, and Rosie so pure.
Thank you for bringing to us all that you would,
Always the good and never the bad, as you should.

And wouldn't you know? They waved back at you,
With both hands and all their hearts, too.

They're like that.

✦ More adventures with Pawpaw's Little Angels →

Pawpaw with the Bless It Good Angel