Christian Combinations: Short Stories; The Venetian Vase & In the Reflection

"Christian Combinations" is a series of books that combine originally published works as Ebooks by Christian author, Melanie Scahtzel, M.Ed. In each of the combinations, she presents literary pieces that are similar in theme. In "Christian Combinations: Short Stories; The Venetian Vase & In the Reflection" the protagonists are born with physical challenges. The stories present the characters, and their unique qualities in such a way that anyone can related to the period of self-reflection that takes place.In "The Venetian Vase" a female born with a hole in her heart and suffering challenges as a result of this impairment that normally naturally heals itself, is found in a cemetery, looking amongst the graves as the sun rises. She is seen by the caretaker of the grounds. He has never stopped to talk to her, but has seen her here often. On this morning, he is inspired to take a few minutes to share his experiences with her. And as he settles as best he can due to his own physical condition, he decides to share a wonderful story told to him by his grandfather--a Venetian Master Glassblower, about the Lord's special gift of "The Venetian Vase". This endearing story shares not only her character, but how the Lord planned her life and her trials to reflect her in a new light, a special light, for others to admire.The short story, "In the Reflection" begins with a teenage male, Caleb--who is on the Autism Spectrum--analyzing every physical feature he has in the reflection he sees in the bathroom mirror. While he carefully and meticulously examines himself and his features, he eventually starts to acknowledge that he has some unique qualities that others do not possess. And just as he gets to his crooked feet, he is confronted by an older brother, Cade. Cade takes a moment in this precious time spent in front of the mirror, to share with Caleb brotherly advice about accepting who you are and finding ways of improving your character as the Lord desires, not perhaps as man's mind suggests.Take a moment to step into a world that enlightens the soul and nourishes one's desires to be the perfect you that the Lord intended you to be.