"I Want To Buy A Miracle."

I Want To Buy A Miracle is one of my favorite stories that I've shared with my children over the years.  It was written anonymously and there was much controversy whether it was fact or fiction.  In my perspective that isn't important; rather, it's the message and the impact that it has on the reader.  The story is crystal clear; we are the miracles that happen in the lives of others.  No matter how great or small the gift... it still counts as a miracle to those in need.   

This Christmas my niece challenge everyone on facebook to give of themselves; pay it forward, so to speak.  I was looking for ways to emulate her request and had no idea the sweetness that I was about to experience. 

Later that day a friend of mine stopped by the house and she had been working out in the rain in a light weight jacket.  She was soaked to the bone!  I took off her jacket to throw it in my dryer and noticed she was shivering uncontrollably.   I went to my closet, pulled out my grey wool coat and asked her to please put it on.   It fit like a glove.  "I want you to have this coat."  I said as I buttoned the front snugly around her little frame.  The tears welled up in her eyes and at first she declined, but I assured her that it was meant to be and I would be honored if she would keep it.    

After she left my home that day, I was filled with the kind of warmth that a coat or warm fire cannot provide.  The feeling was much deeper and more glorious than the noon day sun.  I realized that I was the one that had received the greatest gift that day!

This story  is the perfect example of the difference one person made in the lives of many, through acts of kindness.  Each person can do their part according to their ability to give.   No matter how great or small the gift, it's magnificent to the receiver!  

'I Want To Buy A Miracle.'

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 miracle."

"I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist." His name is Andrew 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 how 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 Andrew 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.

We may never know how many miracles are needed by those who surround us, but if we are intuitive to the needs of others, they will manifest.  A miracle is not the suspension of natural laws; rather, the actions of higher laws.  I challenge everyone who reads this post today to change the way you look at others.  The challenge is to use your eyes to see farther than the end of your nose, your hands to reach out in service, your arms to cradle the weary, your mind to be free from any judgements, and your heart to guide the way.  For are we not all one...  by Linda Urza, One Fine Day.