Counting your Pennies/Love in the World

[Guest guest]

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from

its hiding place in the closet.

She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully.

Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance

here for mistakes.

Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap,

she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's

Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention,

but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a

scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most

disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a

quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did

it!

'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of

voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen

in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back

in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick...and I want to

buy a miracle.'

'I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist.

'His name is and he has something bad growing inside his head

and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now So how much does a

miracle cost?'

'We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't

help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little.

'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will

get the rest. Just tell me ho w much it costs..'

The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and

asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother

need?'

'I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up.. I just know

he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy

can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.'

'How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago

'One dollar and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audibly.

'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need

to.'

'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven

cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. '

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her

mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your

brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you

need.'

That well dressed man was Dr.Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon,

specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of

charge and it wasn't long until was home again and doing

well.

Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had

led them to this place.

'That surgery,' her Mom whispered. 'was a real miracle. I wonder how

much it would have cost?'

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost..one dollar

and eleven cents....plus the faith of a little child..

In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need.

A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the opera ti on

of a higher law. I know you'll keep the ball moving!

Here it goes.. Throw it back to someone who means something to you!

A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like

our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see is the

treasure of friendship you've granted to me.

Today I pass the friendship ball to you.

Pass it on to someone who is a friend to you.

MY OATH TO YOU...

When you are sad....I will dry your tears.

When you are scared.....I will comfort your fears.

When you are worried.....I will give you hope.

When you are confused.....I will help you cope.

And when you are lost....And can't see the light, I shall be your

beacon.....Shining ever so bright.

This is my oath......I pledge till the end. Why you may

ask?....Because you're my friend.

Signed: GOD