Ashleigh’s Prayer
written by: Tim Law
Ashleigh placed a dollar in the alms box, an offering to her local church to help with homelessness over the Christmas and New Year period. She lit her candle and knelt before its flickering light.
“Dear Lord,” she murmured as she began to pray…
***
Dear Lord, it’s me, Ashleigh, again… As You know, it has been quite a week, but I don’t want to take up too much of Your time… I can only imagine how busy You get, especially at this time of year. I just wanted to let You know I am REALLY worried about my fiancé, Eric. He is so nice and kind, and I love him like I have never loved anyone before, BUT… Oh Lord… You know me so well that I’m sure You knew that but was coming, Lord… Well… Eric has chosen some interesting Christmas gifts for our first one together… And… To be honest… I’m worried about where things are going to lead on from here…
***
It had all started Christmas Day when Eric had led his fiancé out into the backyard of the tiny flat, they shared. The grass, ten feet by ten feet, had been freshly cut. Ashleigh could smell the sweet perfume.
“Keep your eyes closed tightly, darling,” Eric urged. “I don’t want to spoil the surprise…”
“Eric, dearest… What is that sound?” Ashleigh asked.
There was the distinct reiteration of a stick scraping across a blackboard…
“Now open them!” Eric commanded.
Ashleigh did as was suggested, finding herself inches away from a small, sharp beak.
“Is that a partridge?” she asked, hurriedly stepping back, into Eric’s arms, and the safety of their kitchen.
“A grey partridge, to be exact,” said Eric, eyes shining with excitement. “And did you notice that it is sitting in a pear tree?”
Ashleigh examined the scene before her with greater scrutiny.
“Eric, you’ve used fishing line to tie the poor bird to a branch…”
“You don’t like it?” Eric stated, crestfallen.
“You know how much I love fresh pears,” Ashleigh replied with a soft smile…
***
We let the bird go, Lord, it did not seem right to keep it… Following that Eric brought home Turtle Doves, a pair, French Hens, Calling Birds… What was this man’s obsession with feathers? The five gold rings were nice, but not one of them was presented with Eric on bended knee… Geese came next, our refrigerator is now full of eggs and the beasts are not showing signs of slowing down… I know I should be grateful, Lord, but the pool for the swans, and the pear tree he finally planted… Well, our little patch of grass has simply disappeared… I truly do worry what he plans to bring home next…
***
The candle was on the verge of burning itself out, and Ashleigh knew Eric was due home in an hour. She finished her prayer with a flurry of hope and begging.
***
So please, Lord, if you heed this… Don’t let my dear husband-to-be turn our humble flat into a dairy…
- Ashleigh’s Prayer - December 26, 2024
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