Andy

Once in a small farming town in Oklahoma, there lived a poor fourth
grade boy named Andy who would follow this route to school everyday:
He had to cross the rugged plains and a dangerous highway where
vehicles recklessly drove to and fro. Once past this highway, the boy
would take a short cut by passing by the Church every morning just to
say hi to Jesus, and faithfully say his morning prayers. The pastor
who always found the boy's sincerity and innocence so uplifting in
the morning was watching him.

"Hello Andy, How are you today", he would say greeting the child.

"I'm fine Pastor Thompson, How are you" he would say flashing his
innocent grin.

Seeing the way that Andy went to school the pastor was so concerned
one day, he talked to him. "From school", he advised "do not cross
the highway alone, you can pass through the Church and then I will
accompany you to the other side of the road that way I can see that
you get home safe...."

"Thank you Pastor..."

"Why don't you go straight home? Why do you stay in this church right
after school?"

Andy replied, "I just want to say "Hi" to my friend, Jesus," so the
pastor would leave the boy to spend time praying by himself beside
the altar, but one day out of curiosity he hid behind the altar to
listen to what this young lad said.

"You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheat
although my seat mate was bullying me for notes...you know, Dad's
had a bad farming season so far this year so we don't have much food
but I ate some bread and drank my water. Thank you for this! I saw a
poor kitten who was hungry and I know how he feels so I gave some of
my bread to him...funny but I am not that hungry...Look, this is my
last pair of shoes...I may have to walk barefoot next week...you see
this is about to be broken... but it is okay...at least I am still
able to go to school...some say we will have a hard season this month,
and some of my classmates have had to stop going to school to help
with the farms ... please help them get to school again, please Jesus?

Oh, you know, Dad hit me again, it is painful, but I know this pain
will pass away, at least I still have a Dad ... you want to see my
bruises? I know you can heal them ... here... here and....oh...blood.
I guess you knew about this one, huh? Please don't be mad at Dad, he
is just tired and worries about putting food on our table and my
schooling that is why he hits me... Oh, I think I am in love...there's
this pretty girl in my class, her name is Anita... do you think she
will like me? Anyway, at least I know you will always like me, I don't
have to be anybody just to please you, you are my very best friend!
Hey your birthday is just one week from now!!! Aren't you excited?
I am! Wait till you see, I have a gift for you but it is a surprise!
I hope you will like it! Oooops, I have to go... Then he stood up
and calls out, "Pastor, I am finished talking to my friend".

This routine happened everyday. Andy never failed to visit the church.
Pastor Thompson shared this every Sunday to the people in his church
because he had never before seen such pure faith and trust in God,
and such devotion.

The day before Christmas, Pastor Thompson became very ill and was sent
to the hospital. The Church was left to a substitute Pastor who had
little patience for children or for any interruptions in his work.
He would not smile and could always find fault in what other people
were doing.

On Christmas Day he was in the Pastor's Study when Andy, coming from
his Christmas party, playfully dashed into the church calling, "Hi
Jesus!!!!!"

"Who are you child and what are you doing in here", the pastor yelled
out angrily. Poor Andy was so terrified. "Where's Pastor Thompson?
He always helps me cross the street....and not only that, I have to
greet Jesus--it's His birthday, I have a gift right here...."

Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt, the pastor
grabbed Andy by the shoulder and pushed him out the door of the
church. "I cannot be bothered right now I am preparing my sermon for
the Christmas service tonight. Also, next time be more reverent when
you come into the church", the man yelled as he closed the door
behind Andy.

So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side of the road
in front of the church by himself. As he crossed a fast moving bus
came in. There was a blind curve. The boy was protecting his gift
inside his shirt, so he was not looking. There was so little time.
As people crowded around the body of the poor, lifeless, young boy...

Suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man appeared in a pure white shirt
and pants, a face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears...
He came and carried the boy in His arms, He was crying.

Curious bystanders nudged the man in white, and asked, "Excuse me
sir, are you related to the child? Do you know him?"

The man in white, His face mourning and in agony, answered, "He was
my best friend" was all he said.

He took the badly wrapped gift from the shirt of the lifeless boy,
and placed it near his heart. He stood up and carried the boy away
and they both disappeared from sight.

On New Years Eve, when Pastor Thompson returned home from the
hospital he learned of the shocking news. He went to visit Andy's
parents, and to ask them about the man in white he had been told
about. He consulted the parents of Andy. "How did you first learn
of your sons death?"

"A man in white brought him here." Sobbed the mother.

"What did he say?"

The father answered, "He did not say anything. He was mourning.
We do not know him and yet he was very lonely at our son's death,
as if he knew our son very well. But there was something peaceful
and unexplainable about him. He gave me my son, and then he smiled
peacefully. He rubbed my son's hair away from his face and kissed
him on his forehead, then he whispered something..."

"What did he say?"

"He said to my boy" the father began, "Thank you for the gift...
I will see you soon, you will be with me..." and the father of the boy
continued, "and you know for a while, it felt so wonderful...I cried,
but I do not know why.... all I know is I cried tears of joy...I could
not explain it, but when that man left, something peaceful came over
me, I felt a deep sense of love inside...I could not explain the joy
in my heart, I know my boy is in heaven now. But tell me, who was this
man that my son talked to everyday in your church, you should know
because you are always there... except at the time of his death..."

Pastor Thompson suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, with
trembling knees, he murmured, "He was talking to Jesus...."