Psalm 4:6 (New International Version)
Many, LORD, are
asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of
your face shine on us.
Here is a heartwarming story told by a man looking back,
may it bless your heart this Christmas.
On a cold winter morning in the late 1930s Bobby awoke
early.
It wasn't a day that would be remembered by many, nor
would it go down in history as especially important. But it was a day that
Bobby would never forget.
Bobby, his mother, and his three younger brothers were
once again abandoned by Bobby's father. When times got hard, the man who was
supposed to be the head of the house left home. He couldn't handle the
responsibility of a hungry family. It wasn't the first time he left, so Bobby
wasn't surprised.
Bobby searched the bare cupboards and realized there was
no food in the kitchen. His tummy was growling. So he put on the warmest
clothes he had.
He pulled on an old pair of socks and placed cardboard in
his worn-out shoes. With holes in the soles, he hoped the cardboard would help
keep his feet dry, at least for a little while. Bobby hit the roads looking for
work. He was a strong child and had worked many times before. His goal was to
earn enough money to purchase food for the day along with a few cans of
vegetables for Christmas dinner.
A few blocks from home, Bobby came across some men
working on the side of the road. "Can I help?" Bobby inquired.
"Sure," one of the men answered and tossed him
a shovel. Bobby worked hard for hours. Suddenly, the rain and sleet pounded
down.
"Here's your money," one of the men shouted, as
he tossed him a few coins. "Go home and get out of this weather."
Bobby clutched the change in the palm of his hand. He
then ran to the nearest grocery store. He used the money to buy as much food as
he could afford. His socks were soaking wet. His feet were numb. While holding
a small bag of groceries, Bobby stopped to adjust the cardboard in his shoes.
A man in uniform, a representative from The Salvation
Army, witnessed Bobby's distress.
"Hey son," the kind gentleman said. "Are
those the only shoes you have?"
"Yes Sir," Bobby confessed.
The uniformed man took Bobby and bought him a brand new
pair of shoes. Bobby danced and skipped all the way home.
I wasn't there on that cold December day. But I've heard
the story many times and could always picture my father, as a child, dancing
and skipping, wearing a shiny pair of dress shoes home. Daddy often spoke about
how he could see his reflection in those special shoes.
Several years later, Daddy joined the Navy. He continued
to send money home to support his family. But Daddy always saved enough money
for the Salvation Army, hoping that another little boy somewhere may receive a
new pair of shoes for Christmas.
The tradition lasted until my father became too ill to
shop. Daddy passed away six years ago.
It is my hope that many people will remember this story
when they hear the Salvation Army bells ring at store fronts and malls all over
this country. And in Daddy's memory, I pray that little children everywhere
will have the opportunity to dance and skip.
While the new shoes kept Bobby's feet warm in the 1930s,
his act of giving back for several decades warmed his heart in a much greater
way.
Each time I drop money in a Salvation Army bucket, I
remember my father, his story, and his first new pair of shoes. Then I count it
as a blessing to be able to give.
In my mind's eye, I can see a child somewhere -- dancing,
skipping and wearing a new pair of dress shoes -- and my heart is warmed, as
well.
Dear Lord we are thankful for the things that you give
us. We pray today that we would be able to help those in need. We pray that our
eyes would be open. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
