Herman and I closed our store and crawled home. It was 11 o'clock at night, Christmas Eve. We were extremely tired. We had sold all of our toys, except one, already wrapped by one of the sellers, which had been reserved but the person never returned.
Early on Christmas morning, our twelve-year-old son, Tom, opened his presents and had fun. But there was something strange about that Christmas. I felt a persistent desire, a desire that seemed to be sending me back to the store. Looking at the slippery sidewalk outside, I said to myself - This is crazy. There is nothing to do there.
I tried to get rid of that will, but it didn't leave me alone. In fact, it got stronger. Finally, I couldn't wait any longer and got dressed. Outside, the wind was sharp and froze my face. Groping, slipping and sliding, I arrived at the store.
Opposite were two boys, one about nine years old and the other six. - See, didn't I say she would come? The eldest said joyfully. The younger man's face was wet with tears, but when he saw me his crying stopped.
- What are you two doing out here? I asked, rushing to put them on
into the store. You should be home on a day like this!
- We were waiting for you, replied the elder.
My brother won nothing at Christmas. We wanted to buy
a pair of skates. This is what he wanted to gain. We have three dollars, he
said, pulling the bills out of his pocket.
I looked at the money. I looked at their faces full of expectations.
And then I looked around the store.
- I'm sorry, I said, but you don't have any toys anymore!
Then my sight stopped on that lonely package on
a shelf behind the counter.
- Wait a minute, I told the boys.
I went to the counter, took the package, opened it and, miracle of the miracles, it
was a pair of skates! Jimmy, the youngest boy, ran over to them.
- Sir, let it be your size. I thought.
And miracle upon miracle, they were just the right size. The older boy
handed me the money. - No, I told you, I want to give you these skates
and I want you to use your money to buy gloves.
The boys didn't seem to believe it at first. Then his eyes
became bright and smiles plastered on their faces.
What I saw in Jimmy's eyes was a blessing.
It was pure joy! ..
We left the store together and, while I locked the door, I turned
to the older man and asked:
- What made you think I would come?
I was definitely not prepared for your answer.
His gaze was fixed and he answered me softly:
- I asked JESUS to send you! ..
The shiver down my spine was not cold.
God had planned all of this.
After waving goodbye,
I came home for the most brilliant Christmas of my life! ..
* Let us be attentive to the signs of God! ..
