JOSHUA TIME 507

To my friendsI'D LIKE THIS BACK IF IT APPLIES A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jellyjar from its hiding place in the closet.She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Threetimes, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here formistakes.Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twistingon the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks toRexall'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 hewas too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffingnoise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound shecould muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and bangedit 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," hesaid without waiting for a reply to his question."Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Tess answered back in thesame annoyed tone. "He's really, really sick... and I want to buy amiracle."" I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist." His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head andmy Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miraclecost?""We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't helpyou," the pharmacist said, softening a little."Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will getthe rest. Just tell me how much it costs."The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and askedthe 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'sreally sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't payfor 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 elevencents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. "He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mittenand said "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meetyour parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need."That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing inneuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn'tlong until Andrew was home again and doing well.Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had ledthem to this place.That surgery," her Mom whispered. "was a real miracle. I wonder how muchit would have cost?"Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost...one dollar andeleven cents ... plus the faith of a little child..In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need..A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of ahigher law.. I know you'll keep the ball moving!Here it goes. Throw it back to someone who means something to you!A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like ourCircle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see is the treasureof friendship you've granted to me.Today I pass the friendship ball to you.Pass it on to someone who is a friend to you.MY OATH TO YOU...When you are sad.....I will dry your tears.When you are scared.....I will comfort your fears.When you are worried.....I will give you hope.When you are confused.....I will help you cope.And when you are lost....And can't see the light, I shall be yourbeacon.....Shining ever so bright.This is my oath.....I pledge till the end.Why you may ask?.....Because you're my friend.Signed: GODINSTANTLY WHEN YOU RECEIVE THIS LETTER, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO SEND IT TO ATLEAST 10 PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE PERSON WHO SENT IT TO YOU