Clubhouse Jr

Sophie’s mother knew something was wrong with her little girl. It had happened suddenly.

Not long ago Sophie was happy and friendly. She played tag outside with her friends and did chores around the house.

Now Sophie had a weird look in her eye. Sometimes she became angry and threw things. Most days she would fall to the floor and roll around screaming. Sophie’s friends wouldn’t play with her anymore.

When Sophie’s mother sent her out of the house, the other children became mean. “Get out of here!” they screamed.

One day a boy picked up a large stick and threw it at Sophie. It hit her in the head. Sophie picked up the stick to throw it back, but her mother grabbed her from behind. Sophie kicked wildly and tried to bite her mother.

“She’s like an animal,” the boy yelled. “She even bites!”

Sophie’s mother wrestled her daughter into the house.

“Where is my little girl?” the mother cried. “What has happened to my sweet daughter?”

But Sophie could not answer her.

Rap. Rap.

Sophie’s mother opened the door a crack and peered out.

“He’s here,” a friend said.

“Who?” Sophie’s mother asked.

“Jesus, the prophet of the Jews,” the woman answered. “He has the power to heal.”

Hope filled the mother’s heart. “Where is this Jesus?”

The friend gave her directions, and Sophie’s mother hurried to the house where Jesus was staying.

At first the people in the house wouldn’t let her in. “Go away,” they said. “You’re not a Jew. Jesus won’t see you.”

But Sophie’s mother wouldn’t give up. She circled around and slipped in through the back door. Before the owner could throw her out, she grabbed onto Jesus’ feet and held on.

“Please, please,” she said. “Heal my daughter!”

Jesus answered, “You are not a Jew. Why should I give you anything? It would be like a father giving his children’s food to the dogs.”

When Sophie’s mother looked up at Jesus, she knew He could heal her daughter. His eyes were deep pools of peace. Still She clung to His feet.

“Yes, Jesus,” she said. “But even a little dog gets the leftovers from the table. Please, may my daughter have just a crumb of your love?”

“That is a good answer,” Jesus said. “Go home. Your daughter is fine now.”

Sophie’s mother felt as if she were flying on the way home. She burst through her front door. “Sophie, where are you?” she called.

A small form stirred on the bed.

“Here I am, Mother,” Sophie said. “What do you want?”

“I want to see your face,” she said. Sophie’s mother cupped her daughter’s face with both hands and looked into her eyes. Deep pools of peace stared back at her.

“What’s wrong, Mother?” Sophie asked.

“Nothing,” her mother answered. “Nothing is wrong anymore.”