One day, an old woman decided it was time to do something kind. She gathered all the belongings she no longer neededthings that had been lying around her house and troubling her mind. There were beautiful blouses, dresses, hats, skirtsall sorts of items just cluttering up her space. She thought to herself, Ill take these to the local churchperhaps someone in need, maybe a homeless person or a refugee, will find use for them.
She packed everything into an old bag and set it down in the corner. She planned to drop it off the following day, and with that, went to bed.
That night, believe it or not, she had such an unusual dream.
It felt as if her soul floated up out of her body, watching everything from above. The room was filled with a gentle light, though she was still in her own flat. Her soul felt completely at peace.
In the dream, she was standing in the middle of the room, clutching the bag she had so carefully packed. Opposite her stood a little girlgolden-haired, with a curious look in her eyes.
Whats inside your bag, miss? the girl asked.
The woman smiled warmly. Just a few things I dont need anymore. They’re simply taking up space. Im going to take them to church tomorrow, for those who really need them.
You have such a kind heart, the girl replied, but the bag looks a bit grubby. Perhaps you should give it a wash before taking it, yes?
The woman agreed, Alright, Ill give it a good clean.
Dont forget, said the child, her smile brightening, before she disappeared like a wisp of smoke.
At that moment, the woman woke up. She jumped out of bed, recalling her odd dream. Could it have been an angel, she wondered, or something similar?
She looked at the bag and began emptying it. If she needed to wash it, she would do so.
It may sound rather silly, and perhaps youd think the old lady was superstitious for putting faith in her dream. I would have said the same, until what happened next changed my mind forever.
In a nearby flat, a couple had welcomed a second childa baby boy. To celebrate, they invited friends and family together.
The house was filled with guests. Congratulations were given, gifts exchanged, but, curiously, the parents had asked that no one shower their newborn with praises or compliments. They held an old belief that speaking too fondly of a child would bring ill luck. So instead, people glanced at the boy and made downtrodden remarks.
Oh, hes a rather awkward looking thing. Poor little mite, they said, waving dismissively, Best not even look too much.
Everyone echoed these thoughts and filtered into the next room.
The elder brother watched and listened as relatives treated his new sibling so poorly. In his innocent mind, he thought, If my baby brother is unwanted, just like broken toys, why is he even here?
Acting on impulse, he picked up his baby brother, hurried to the balcony, looked round, and, as he did with his old toys, dropped him down.
I could hardly breathe when I heard what happened next. It might have ended in disasterif not for a twist of fate.
At precisely that moment, the old woman who had the dream happened to live in the flat beneath. She had just finished washing the old bag and hung it out to dry on the washing line outside her window.
Just then, the baby fell straight from above, right into the bag.
By the time the parents noticed how unusually quiet it was, it was too late. They found their older child on the balcony, and the baby nowhere in sight. They asked what had happened, and heard the response:
Well, hes so ugly and unwanted. So I threw him away.
The mothers heart nearly stopped. The father tore outside in panic to search for the baby. By sheer luck, he found his little boy, entirely unharmedcaught by the old womans freshly washed bag.
Oh, what a miracle! cried the parents, clutching the baby in their arms.
Who did they thank? Who do you suppose? The grandmother, of course. Not a single word was said of Godexcept by the elderly lady below. She knew that such fortune doesnt happen by chance. Had it not been for the angel in her dream, she wouldnt have bothered to wash that bag at all.
Why does everyone assume its mere luck? Why does no one send their thanks heavenwards?
Ive pondered this for a long time, trying to make sense of it. There could be many answers, but my own belief is simpleI dont think anything is mere coincidence. For my part, I always thank God above. After all, what true miracle happens without Him?
