"Hi, Dad."

"Hello, Jani."

"Thanks for coming."

"Always My pleasure."

"I nearly missed out on this contest again."

"I pulled a few strings."

"Wow, thanks, but I know You'd do it for anyone."

"I would."

"The contest is full again. Everyone wants to talk to You!"

"I spend a lot of time listening to my children."

"I have a friend who is feeling really down and lonely this Christmas. Would You send an angel to be with her? She's too shy to go out and meet people."

"Consider it done. I'll send Michael. You know how caring and sweet he is."

"Thanks, Dad. Yes, I do. I still remember when You sent him to keep me company, when I felt so alone. There's something else."

"Go ahead, honey."

"Do you remember how I used to be so afraid of You? Sorry, that's silly. Of course You remember."

"I sometimes choose to forget, so you're not silly. I do remember how I rejoiced the day you ran into My arms, and let me hold you for the first time."

"That's what I wanted to talk to You about. My other friend. He is feeling so distant from You right now. I'm afraid he might self-destruct."

"I understand your concern. I share it."

"He loved and admired his earthly father, but I don't think he felt accepted."

"I accept him, but he's not talking to Me right now. I miss hearing from him."

"It's funny to hear You say that, Dad. You have so many children."

"And I love each one of them with all My heart."

"Christmas can be a difficult time of year. People feel their losses so deeply."

"When I sent Jesus to earth, I knew the rest of the story. I understand completely."

"I've never thought of it that way. We celebrate His birth, but You knew what He'd go through on earth. Even though the end result would be wonderful, it must have been almost unbearable to watch Him suffer."

"It was, but there was no other way."

"Thanks for loving us that much, Dad. I sure wish I didn't let You down so much."

"I couldn't use you if you were perfect, daughter. You wouldn't understand other's pains and needs."

"Speaking of which. . . ."

"Yes?"

"I let one of my friends down the other day. I embarrassed her. I wanted to help, but it turned out all wrong."

"Jani, you know she's forgiven you, right?"

"Yes."

"So have I. "

"I'm kind of sad, though. Life is a struggle right now."

"That's why I'm here. Do you need a hug?"

"You are such an awesome God, Dad. Thanks."

"Goodnight, sweetheart."

"Goodnight . . . hey, Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Sing me a song?"

"Sure."

"You know which one, right?"

"You're my little girl, you're the one that I created, no one in this world could ever be like you.

"When you're crying in the night, all you need to do is call Me, I'll be there for you, 'cause you're My little girl."*