The List

Ella smoothed her dress out and reached into her purse to feel the worn pages of her book. She couldn't believe she was going to meet her favorite author! One of Mom's friends worked with the author and invited Ella and Mom to come to a special book signing event. Ella couldn't wait to get her book signed! As they entered the lobby, a man with a clipboard approached them. "Your names, please?" Mom gave their names, and he moved his finger down the length of paper. "I'm sorry," he said, "but your names aren't on the list.""What?" said Mom. "That can't be. A friend of mine invited us." "I'm sorry," said the man, "but this is a private event. Your names have to be on the list to go inside."Ella felt the blood rush to her face. She looked down at her purple dress and shiny shoes and thought she might cry. She wasn't going to meet her favorite author after all. "Wait!" a voice called from down the hall. Ella's heart soared when she saw Mom's friend Caroline coming toward them. "It's okay, John. I forgot to put their names on the list earlier, but you can add them now," she told the man. "They're with me." He added their names to the list and motioned them inside.Caroline led them into a large room full of people and seated them, then rushed off to finish some things before the event started. Ella breathed a sigh of relief and pulled out her book. "That was scary! I thought that man was going to kick us out because our names weren't on the list."Mom nodded. "It's a good thing Caroline came to our rescue." She looked at Ella. "You know, not having our names on that man's list when we came in reminded me how thankful I am that my name is already on the most important list of all.""What list is that?" asked Ella. "The Book of Life," said Mom. "It's the list of all those who know Jesus as their Savior. And the only way you can get into heaven is if your name is on it." –Courtney Lasater