A Mission

A Chapter by Kathryn Smith

7 year old Jacob knew he was lucky, but on the inside he began to feel a nervous tickling sensation.

Was it butterflies? Was it excitement? He couldn't tell.

Today was the day!

The day all the children of heaven without wings were sent back down to earth.

They were each instructed to complete a mission for their Father.

If they succeeded, they would return home and earn their wings.

If they did not fulfill their mission - Father had them stay on earth until they completed the assignment.

Pacing back and fourth he worried.

What was going to happen to him? Where was he going to go?

Standing on the edge of his home; Peering down to earth; Jacob didn't have time to think.

With deep little breaths, he looked around wide eyed.

Each of the other children were beginning their descent.

Earth just looked so far to him, and as he watched his friends grow smaller and smaller the ache to join them grew stronger.

His concentration was broken as he heard a strong voice.

"It's your time, my dear Jacob! Go earn your wings!"

Before he could turn around, to see who was speaking to him, a warm wind pushed him off the edge of the clouds and he plummeted down into the sky below.

Yelping and thrashing in the air Jacob scrunched up his face and hugged himself. His heart felt as if it could burst out of his chest.

The voice he heard earlier shouted from above.

But this time it thundered and the wind around him shook.

"JACOB!

He swallowed and squeaked out a voice.

"Yes?"

"There's no need to fear Jacob! Look around you! Look at the stars, look upon the moon! You grace the sky! My dear boy, you're going to bless earth!"

Peering up above, he could see Gabriel smiling down at him.

With ease he felt his body finally calm.

Scanning the sky, he couldn't help but smile.

The tickling feeling he had felt before engulfed his very soul.

The bright moon matched his yellow hair, the stars twinkled with his large green eyes.

With anticipation he felt his heart in his throat as he drew closer - closer - closer to earth.

As he was pulled down, a sound filled his ears.

It sounded like a cry, but Jacob hadn't heard a cry in years.

With held breath, he stiffened as he was inches to the ground.

The speed of gravity quickened and with a thud his feet touched into the soil of the earth.

His toes sank into warm sand and he sprinted through the land laughing and jumping for joy.

Throwing his hands into the night air he squealed and cheered his thanks.