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MATERIAL LOVE

by linzy bruno
10/20/2016 / Short Stories

It was Friday, nine a.m. when Christine Hansen arrived at her dressmakers' job and slid her purse under her sewing maching. "Good morning Brooke," she said; smiling at her favorite co-worker, who always sat at the adjacent machine.

"Hey Chrissy, how's it goin?"

"Great! I'm always great on days I can practically hear my favorite boutique calling my name!"

"Goin' on a shopping spree tonight are you?"

"Yeah! Wanna come along?"

"Sure!"

Later in the breakroom, Christine sat next to Brooke. "So what is it you wanna shop for tonight? I'm gonna check out their silk blouses! I love the ones we make here, but Hinkley's just came out with those real trendy ones......ya know with the cut out shoulders and then those other ones with the sexy slit up the back."

"Yeah those are SO pretty! Yeah, I'll probably get a few of those, but what I really want is a new dress. Hey will you give me feedback if I try one on? Or three or five or seven.......ha ha ha ha ha."

"Ha ha ha ha, oh Christine, you're SO bad," Brooke replied; pushing Christine playfully on her shoulder.

That evening at the boutique, Christine stood at the rack of gorgeous silk blouses. She could feel her whole body tingle as she drank in all the vibrant colors before her and all the other beautiful colors surrounding her, that seemed to shimmer and sparkle. A familiar warmth over flowed inside her, as her hands grazed the smooth shiny, silken fabrics; her eyes lusting for more. She stared intently at the alluring shades of mint green, baby blue, deep lavender and yellow; that shined in her eyes like golden sunshine. She grabbed one of each of the green, blue and yellow blouses and held them one by one in front of her, as she checked herself out in the huge four-way mirrors.

"Ooooh those blouses are all SO beautiful! You would look great in all of them," remarked Brooke, as she approached Christine. "Hey come check out these dresses I found!"

Several hours later, the two stood in line at the check-out counter; chatting about work and comparing the clothes at the boutique to those they were currently making at their high-paying jobs. "I love our clothes at Krouses', but it's so fun shopping around at other places. I think this place is my favorite, if you wanna know the truth," Christine whispered in Brooke's ear.

"Yeah, same here! I love these dresses you helped me pick out. I think I'll wear this one Monday," Brooke replied; holding out one of her favorites.

"Yeah, good choice......I like that one the best too!" Then it was Christine's turn at the register. She placed three blouses, three skirts, two pairs of panty hose and one pair of silk pajamas on the counter.

"Your total is five hundred and fifty dollars," the cashier informed her.

Christine happily handed the woman her bank card, as she continued in deep conversation with Brooke about where they might go on their next shopping spree. That Monday, Christine showed off her new outfit, as she looked around to see if she could spot Brooke entering the building. When she didn't arrive on schedule, Christine slid her purse under her machine and sat down, as she looked around a little bit more. Suddenly a new worker appeared by her side and pulled out Brooke's chair. "Oh......hello, are you new here?" Christine inquired.

"Yes I am.......I was told to work at this machine."

"Oh......then I wonder where they put Brooke......the girl who sat here before."

"I think she's over there now," the girl replied; pointing across the large work area.

"Oh," Christine replied; turning her attention to the day's projects, as she felt her heart sink in her chest. Christine didn't speak to the new girl at all for the rest of that day, but decided to make an effort to be more friendly the following day, even though she didn't think she would like her new co-worker, espescially since her attire was so out of style.

"My name is Christine, by the way....." she said, as the new girl slid her purse under her machine.

"Hi, my name's Isabell, but everyone calls me Izzy."

"Well, welcome to Krouses.' My name's Christine, but everyone calls me Chrissy or Chris,' Christine replied; trying to appear friendly.

That evening, Christine called Brooke to tell her all about the new girl and how she missed her that day: "The new girl is nice enough, but it's not the same without YOU BROOKE. She's really dull. She's SO quiet and she's just not the type to work as a dressmaker for a high-end shop like Krouses.'"

"Oh......that sucks!" "Yeah, it's such a waste.....I mean she's cute enough, but she dresses so dumpy.....like I bet she doesn't own one single thing that's new and trendy!"

"REALLY! Maybe you and I should take her shopping," Brooke replied; with a hardy laugh.

"Ha ha ha ha ha......I would, but I don't think she would know how," Christine remarked.

Several weeks passed and Isabell was still quiet and meek in Christine's opinion, but she was starting to become curious; wondering: 'who was this girl anyway? What was her story?' So, she started asking her questions. "So.....where are you from Izzy?"

"A little town that's pretty far from here. My husband and I just moved here about a month ago."

"Oh.....that's nice. How do you like it here in the big city?"

"Oh, I like it, but I do miss our little town and especially everyone at our church." 'Church.....so that's her deal,' thought Christine.

"So what kind of church was it?" "Oh non-denominational......just a bunch of us folks who love Jesus."

"OH!" Christine replied. Then she told herself she'd asked enough questions for one day and that she didn't know what to say after Izzy's last comment anyway.

That night Christine had trouble sleeping; she kept waking up full of questions about God and Jesus. The next morning, while she was making her coffee, she began wondering more about this new mysterious co-worker. 'She seems so content! How can she be so happy without shopping for new clothes and all the fun accessories.....I just don't get it! She makes a good living.....it's not like she can't afford everything and anything she wants, but she doesn't seem to want anything! And I am baffled. She always smiling and she's a good worker too! I gotta find out more,' she thought. But as she inquired more, her questions kept taking Izzy back to God and church and Jesus.

Christine continued having disturbing dreams that woke her up at night. Then one morning, she arose from bed; feeling exhausted and decided to probe even more deeply into this girl's head. She just had to learn more, so she asked: "SO.....have you been to Hinkley's boutique yet?"

"No," Isabell replied. "Is that where you shop?"

"Yeah, among other places! But that's my favorite!"

"But don't we get an employee discount here?"

"Yeah and I love the clothes here, but it's so much fun checking out what the other stores have to offer! Hey I'm going on a big shopping spree this weekend......you wanna come with?"

"Well, I don't think I can make it......Dave and I, that's my husband, have plans," Isabell replied.

"Oh, what's going on?"

"We're having our first Bible study with some of the neighbors Saturday afternoon and then Sunday, we're going to check out this new church," she replied.

"Well, not to be rude or anything, but don't you ever get that itch to shop?.....get yourself some new things?"

"Not really.....I pick up one or two pieces a month and around five or six new things when the season changes.....I've never gone on a shopping spree.....I just don't feel the need."

"Oh.....why do you think that is? IF you don't mind my asking?"

"No....it's okay.....I guess I'm just happy with what I have and I love to sew, so sometimes I alter the clothes I already have....like for example, when I put on a few pounds, I turned some of my pants into skirts and now they feel comfortable and I get to wear a new creation that no one else has.....I even get a complement now and then," Isabell replied, as she turned her attention back to her work.

That night Christine was more disturbed by Isabell's comments than ever. She went to her favorite boutique that weekend by herself, but somehow, it just wasn't the same and she knew it had nothing to do with the fact that Brooke wasn't able to go with her that day. Then Monday morning, Christine had a new question that she couldn't resist asking Isabell. "So did you and your hubby enjoy the new church you were telling me about?"

"Yes it was very nice and we met a lot of nice people."

"Oh that's good and how did the Bible study go?" Christine asked; wondering why she cared.

"Oh it was wonderful! I think everyone got a lot out of it......so much joy in the Spirit!"

"Joy?" Christine asked; her eyes widening.

"Oh YES!" "HEY.......could I join you guys for your next Bible study? Christine asked; shocking herself with her own words!

"OH OF COURSE!" Isabell replied, with a big, warm smile.

That weekend Christine learned some amazing new things that brought her a whole new and different kind of joy. And several weeks later, she joined Isabell's church and became a born again Christian! Right after the service, Christine invited Isabell to her swank, modern apartment and took her new friend straight to her bedroom closet. "Look at all these brand new clothes! A few months ago, shopping was what I lived for, but now, I can't help but look at them and feel regret. So I got to thinking; there's this children's hospital not far from here, plus a homeless shelter where I here they have a lot of children staying and I have my own sewing machine......what do you think if I were to take some of these new clothes and turn them into some donations for those needy, poor kids? I could make stuffed toys, hats, scarfs, even tiny clothing.......what do you think?"

"I think that would be tremendous! There's no doubt you got that idea straight from Heaven! What a wonderful way to extend the love of the Lord!"

"It would bring me so much joy.......God has really changed my heart and my materialistic view of the world!"

"PRAISE GOD!" Isabella replied. "It's a wonderful idea to take the love you have for material and bless others, rather than just living superficially and materialistically."

"Well, I never would have changed in this way if it hadn't been for you leading me to the Lord Izzy."

"Amen. I'm so glad!" Isabell replied.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS STORY WITH A FEW GRAPHIC IMAGES ADDED, ALONG WITH A FEW IMPROVEMENTS:

https://linzybruno.substack.com/p/material-love

Linzy is a certified Bible Counsellor, with countless republications on her viewers blogs, Bible Studies, Ezines and the like. Her portfolio includes, non-fiction articles, short stories for all ages, and Christian poetry.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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