Southern Belle's Special Gift by Marsha Hubler Page B

into her corner. Pulling her knees tightly against her chest, she buried her face in her arms. She sobbed as though the foal had died right there on that very spot.
    Skye held the filly by its halter and stroked its soft warm back. God, show me what to do! she prayed.
    â€œI hate my mother for leaving me!” Tanya wailed, never looking up. “I hate her!”
    Skye patted the filly on its neck. “Good baby,” she said, quietly slipping down next to Tanya.
    â€œWhy did she have to die?” Tanya said louder. “I hate her! And I hate the Bells too. They just don’t understand.”
    â€œI hated my mother too,” Skye said softly, “but I don’t anymore.”
    The barn was silent except for Tanya’s sobs.
    â€œYou hated your mother?” Tanya finally said, looking up. “And you don’t anymore?”
    â€œGod took all that hate and bitterness from me, Tanya. He can do that for you too. Just give all your heartache to Jesus.”
    Tanya buried her face in her arms and cried even harder.
    Gently, Skye slipped her arm around Tanya. The thought of her own mother ran through Skye’s mind, filling her eyes with tears. “God can help you. Just let him.”
    â€œSkye, I believe you,” Tanya said, sobbing. “This is all starting to make sense now, especially what you and Mrs. Chambers have told me about God. I’d like to invite Jesusinto my heart. He can change me and help me through this. I just know it.”
    During the next moments, Skye shared with Tanya the glorious message of Jesus Christ and his plan of salvation. Tanya listened to every word and pouring her heart out, she asked him to forgive her sins and come into her life. When Tanya finished, Skye prayed, asking the Lord to take Tanya’s bitterness away.
    â€œAmen,” Skye said, standing. “Tanya, what you just did is a God thing. He’ll change you on the inside, and before long it will show on the outside.”
    â€œYou know, I feel better already.” Tanya smiled. “Much better.”
    â€œWe girls always feel better after a good cry,” Skye said, “and this time, God helped. More than we’ll ever know. And God helped our little baby too.”
    Both girls turned their attention back to the foal.
    With wobbling legs, the filly took several steps forward, reaching its soft nose toward Tanya. It licked her hands like they were pure sugar, gave a sassy snort, and then let out a long high-pitched baby-horse whinny.
    â€œShe is so awesome!” Tanya giggled through her tears. “And so is God!”
    â€œHey, let’s take her outside!” Skye said. “It’s really warm and sunny, and there’s no breeze! She’ll love soakin’ up the rays. We’ll take her over to the picnic grove and show her to Mom and Dad.”
    â€œOkay. And I’d like to tell everybody what I just did with God too,” Tanya said. She jumped to her feet, grabbed a bright pink lead rope from a hook, and clipped it to the foal’s halter. “Let’s go,” she said.
    The girls slowly led the foal out of the barn and made their way across the field toward the pavilion.
    â€œSkye, do you think Mr. and Mrs. C. have a name picked out for her yet?” Tanya rambled on. “Could youget me one of those devotionals like you have—and I’ll need a Bible, won’t I?”
    Skye struggled to get a word in edgewise. “As of last night, Mom said they didn’t have a name yet—and yes, we can get you a Bible and a devotional—and—who is that over there with Mom and Dad?”
    Tanya turned and looked. “Hey,” she said, “that looks like—it is! It’s Mother and Father! Here, Skye, watch the baby.” She shoved the lead rope into Skye’s hands and took off toward the grove.
    â€œSure! No problem!” Skye laughed.
    â€œMother! Father!” Tanya yelled.
    Tanya’s parents