A Walk to Church

* * * * * *

Their pace was much slower than normal today.  Mommy always
walks by these places very fast. Abby thought.
We're going so slow. She must be really mad at Daddy.

"It's okay I didn't get any presents, Mommy?  Jesus wouldn't do that
on purpose.  He must have forgotten.  I can't be mad at him.  I forget
to say my prayers a lot and he doesn't get mad. Really, Mommy, it's okay."

"Abby, your Daddy was supposed to bring your presents, not Santa
or even Jesus. Yes, Jesus is the reason we have presents and a
Christmas, but it is your Daddy who brings them. Okay?  And he just
forgot this time. I'm sorry, I didn't want you  to find out about Santa
this way. I'm sorry your feelings are hurt.  Your presents are in the
attic, sweetie.  We'll get them when we get back from service.
Okay?"  Catherine stopped walking and knelt down and looked
at Abby's sweet little eyes. "Listen, I am sorry
I  told you about Santa like that.  Are you very disappointed?"

Abby hugged her mother and kissed her on the cheek. "Mommy, I know
Santa isn't real.  Shane told me before he ..........  He made me promise not to tell. 
I was afraid you and Daddy were mad at me and didn't get me a present.
Daddy is always mad at me for Shane. Is that why he didn't get my stuff?
'Cause he's mad?"

"No, Abby, he's not mad at you, neither am I.  We'll get your gifts when
we get home. Is that all right?  And I'm glad you didn't break your
promise to Shane.  He would be very proud of you."

They started walking again and in minutes were walking by the
'homelesses' people again. Abby tugged on her mom's coat to stop.
"What is it, Abby?"

Catherine looked down to see Abby running toward a dirty-looking
lady who was rummaging through a bag in her lap. She was
startled at Abby's insistence and went running after her.
"Abby, come here! Please, Abby, don't go over there!"

"Just a minute, Mommy."  Abby ran up to the lady and hugged her as
tightly as she could. Her mother stood still in shock.  What is she
doing? She walked up slowly to her daughter who still had not let
go of the surprised woman.

"I just wanted to tell you, Mam, that Jesus loves you even if you don't
have a house; and if Jesus loves you, so do I!"  The lady looked in
disbelief at this strange little girl and then at the woman standing
behind her.  Catherine could not believe her eyes. This little girl
had hugged a woman that hardly anyone else would even take
time to look at, let alone hug.

"Abby, it's time to go. Okay?"  As Abby let go, Catherine's heart melted
when she  heard the whimpering of the woman sitting on the concrete. 
Her dirty face was stained  by tears.
"Thank you," she uttered through a hoarse voice.  "Thank you."

Abby and her mother walked away - smiling and crying together.

"I'm so very proud of you, Abby.  Jesus is too, I'm sure."
.
"I wish we could help her, Mommy."

Catherine stopped, "We can!  We can, Abby."

They turned around and ran back toward the "bag lady".  But....

She was gone!

"Where is the lady that was sitting here?" They asked a man
leaning against the wall.

"What lady?" He rudely answered. "There's no one here but me
and George. This is our spot, no one else's. Now get lost!"

Abby looked at her mother, and Catherine looked at her daughter.
And not another word was said.