--------------------- Forwarded message: From: [email protected] (Heidi Weatherston) Sender: [email protected] Reply-to: [email protected] (Heidi Weatherston) To: [email protected] Date: 97-08-19 00:52:49 EDT A Jelly Bean and Halloween by Evelyn McKay in Catholic Digest It was Halloween. The bag of assorted candies were ready, and I'd been looking forward to visits from pint-sized goblins. But that morning my arthritis had flared up, and by evening I could barely move. I couldn't possibly answer each knock on the door to distribute the goodies. So I decided to fasten the candy bag to the screen door and watch the parade of trick-or-treaters from my darkened living room. The first to arrive were a ballet dancer and three little ghosts. Each picked out a sweet in turn. When the last little hand emerged full-fisted, I heard the ballerina scold, "You're not supposed to take more than one!" I was pleased big sister would play conscience for the little one. Hobos, hippies, gypsies, and skeletons followed. More children showed up than I had expected. I couldn't be sure, but some might be returning for seconds. Perhaps I had offered too much temptation. The candy was running low, and I was about to turn off the porch light when I noticed four more visitors. I was sure they hadn't been here before. The three oldest ones reached into the bag and pulled out Hershey bars. I held my breath, hoping there would be just one more left for the tiny witch. But when she pulled out her hand, all that was left was a single orange jelly bean. Already the others were calling, "c'mon, Brenda, let's go. There's no one home to give you any more." But Brenda lingered an extra minute. Deliberately she whispered, "Thank you, house. I like the jelly bean." Then she was off. I got up. Words from Ephesians came to my lips: "Make melody in your heart to the Lord; Give thanks always for all things." Brenda had put a song in my heart, and had taken the arthritis pains from my knees. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPIRIT Mailing List for LDS-oriented spiritual thoughts, items and stories For assistance, contact [email protected] http://seminary.org/spirit/