Charted

What is Charted?

Like a master surveyor, Jesus gives us clear directions to find a fulfilling, purpose-filled relationship with Himself - a map to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Charted is a daily devotional written by the junior class at Fountainview Academy (Class of 2019). Based on the book Steps to Christ, this book explores the path to the Originator and Provider of Genuine Joy. We don't have to be confused about the way. The certainty is in the journey: divinely Charted.

What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive
them, and ye shall have them. – Mark 11:24 KJV
“Do-do-do, do-do-do…” I droned along with the CD playing
“Jingle Bells.” The smell of mákos kalács (poppyseed cake) mingled
with the scent of our holly bough, while a small, white candle flickered
on the table. But one corner of the house was uncommonly empty.
“Mámá, are we going to have a Christmas tree this year?” my
brother and I questioned, hopefulness filling our eyes.
Pausing in her work, she turned to look at us. “I don’t know.”
Seeing our faces fall, she quickly added, “But you can pray about it.
Maybe the angels will bring us one.”
Instantly brightening, we scurried off to our room and, kneeling
on the tile floor, pleaded with God to send us a Christmas tree.
The hours passed in a blur, but there was no sign of a tree. It was
December 24th, and the clock counted down the hours to Christmas
Eve. Unknown to me at the time, my parents had a financial setback;
hence, we could not afford a Christmas tree.
“Hey, Sis, do you wanna go outside?”
“Sure!” was my quick reply, and in seconds, I had grabbed my
coat and mittens. Slamming the door, we descended into the snow.
Hundreds of snowballs and two snowmen later, we were chasing each
other around the back of the house. Suddenly, our eyes widened in
unbelief as we skidded to a stop, beholding the sight in front of us.
Lying before our back door was the largest Christmas tree I had ever
seen. Rushing over, we attempted to pull it through the door, but it
hardly budged. Hurrying back into the house, we elatedly told Mámá of
the Christmas tree that the angels had brought us. Forty minutes later,
we were still trying to guess where the tree had come from, and to this
day, I have no idea how it got there. When the tree was finally set up,
its tip nearly brushed the top of our six-meter-high ceiling!
“God has answered our prayers!” we shouted. By believing
His promise and claiming it before we had ever seen the tree, our faith
was strengthened. And let me tell you, a Christmas tree of that height
has never graced our living room since that frosty Christmas Eve.