A Christmas Blessing

I was driving home after work listening to Christmas carols on my radio. My mind was filled with a long list of things I needed to do before the holidays. I started to relax as the music played. I was looking forward to visiting my family and celebrating with them.

A voice said, “Stop and buy a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread.”

I looked around my car; no one was inside. I thought, “It would take me weeks to use a gallon of milk and I just bought bread.” I shook off the voice and drove on. I’d almost forgotten the voice and started to relax again. My mind began to scroll through the many things I had to do yet.

The voice interrupted again. “Buy a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread.” It was more insistent.

“Where’s that voice coming from?” Again I shook off the intrusion and continued to drive.

I was halfway home and the voice came again. This time it was filled with an urgent, pleading edge to it. “Stop the car and buy a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread.” I could no longer ignore the voice and gave up. It was so urgent I couldn’t ignore it. Why, I wasn’t really sure.

I parked my car and made my way to the back of the store, where the stores “conveniently” place milk and bread. It makes each shopper trek through the store being tempted by traps of sale items and enticing displays.

I was in and out in just a few minutes using the express line. I felt foolish as I sat in my car. What was I going to do now?

I started the car and continued the drive home. Before long the voice returned saying, “Turn here.” I was startled by the voice. I’d the already followed its advice once, now I needed to see what would happen and made the turn.

I’d never driven through this area before. Small bungalows lined the street. Most of them were neat and orderly. As I neared the end, I saw a house that was starting to deteriorate.  As I neared it, the voice re-appeared and said, “Stop here. This is the place.”

I pulled over to the curb, shutting off the engine. The cooling engine ticked off the seconds as I sat gathering my courage and the groceries I opened the car door and strode up the walkway, climbing yhr steps to the door. I hesitated, then knocked. I watched a flake of paint drifted to the floor of the porch.

I wasn’t sure that my rap had been heard and was about to knock again when the door opened a crack. A young woman’s face appeared. “Yes?” The door was nudged wider by a toddler at her feet. In her arms was an infant.

I held out the milk and the loaf of bread. “These are for you.”

A wide smile spread across her face and tears began to course down her cheeks. She managed to say, “I’ve been praying for these. There‘s no milk for the baby and no food in the house. Thank you so much. You are a true Christmas blessing.”