> > 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. He was being watched
> > by the pastor who always found the boy's sincerity and
> > innocence so uplifting in the morning.
> >
> > "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 boy had to say.
> >
> > "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... can you accompany me to the other side of the
> > road now"?
> >
> > 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 a very positive outlook in such
> > negative circumstances.
> >
> > 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.
> > Andy died on the spot.
> >
> > 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.
> >
> > The crowd was curious...
> >
> > 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...."