Stories and Parables

I hate buying goods from a mall during Christmas season. The noise, the crowd, and the long lines to the counter are only some of the inconveniences of purchasing my needs from these establishments during holidays. But because this mall is the one nearest our home, I had no choice but to wait for 30 minutes in line.

I looked around to keep myself busy. That was when I noticed the two ragged kids in front of me, a boy and a girl. The boy, who is older, wears a tattered jacket and a pair of shoes beyond repair. He holds in his hand some crumpled bills and some coins. The girl, on the other hand, holds a box of ladies’ shoes with much care, as if it is a precious thing that might be broken if not handled carefully.

When they finally reached the counter, the girl carefully placed the box on the counter. The clerk announced dryly, “$6.35.” The boy counted his money and came up with $3.45. The two kids bowed their head simultaneously.

“I guess we have to come back,” he told his sister. “We need to earn more and come back here to buy Mom’s shoes.”

When the girl heard this, she let out a silent sob and said, “But Jesus would like those shoes on Mom.” And the tears silently rolled down her plump, dirty cheeks.

“Please don’t cry,” the boy said as he placed his hand over his sister’s shoulder. “We will come back tomorrow and buy those shoes, ok?”

I immediately handed three dollars to the cashier. These children waited in line and it’s Christmas; besides, what is $3.00 when I can spend much more than that amount for useless things. A pair of dirty little girl’s arms wrapped around me, as I heard a quiet sob and a “Thank you very much.”

Out of curiosity, I asked the girl, “What do you mean when you said that Jesus would love those shoes on your Mom?”

The boy answered, “Mom is sick and Dad said she will be with Jesus before Christmas.”

The girl chimed, “My Sunday School teacher said that the roads in heaven are shiny gold, like these shoes. Won’t it Jesus love to see Mom walking along those streets in these shoes?”

My eyes instantly got wet. I embraced the girl and said, “Yes. I’m sure she will.” I closed my eyes and thank the Lord for those two wonderful kids who taught me the true meaning of Christmas.”