It was almost Christmas time
There I stood in another line
Trying to buy that last gift or two
Not really in the Christmas mood

Jason Morgan was never one to get into the Christmas spirit. There were people all around him, fighting over everything. It was ridiculous the lengths that people would go to in order to get that last item, which the whole store seemed to want. He had vowed that he would never step foot in a store of any kind during the holiday rush, yet here he was.

His typical routine usually consisted of sending his guards out with a list and pocketful of cash a couple weeks before the holiday. This year, due to their inability to finish the list, he found himself standing impatiently in his own version of hell.

He looked completely out of place standing in line wearing his black leather jacket, gloves, and motorcycle boots. The only article of clothing not black would be his faded blue jeans. All around him were people wearing various shades of green and red, some going so far as having snowmen or Christmas trees on their shirts. Jason just found it absurd to dress like that, let alone out in public.

Standing right in front of me
Was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing around like little boys do
And in his hands he held
A pair of shoes

His eyes skimmed the people in front of him; trying to judge how much longer it would be before he could leave. There was one woman with a cart full of various items, including three extremely hyper children. She was trying to prevent them from hitting each other as well as those around her, while attempting to check out.

There was only one other person standing between him and his exit. Actually person wasn't really the right word to use, because child would be more appropriate. It was a little girl who couldn't be more than six or seven years old. It was easy to tell that she was anxious, her eyes moving a mile a minute, surveying everything around her as if she was expecting to see someone she didn't want to. Clutched tightly to her chest was a shoe box.

And his clothes were worn and old
He was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say

Jason noted the girl's dark brown hair falling in a tangled mess of curls around her shoulders. Next he noticed the coat that was probably meant to keep her warm. It looked old and worn and most likely lost all its warmth that it was supposed to offer. Beneath the coat was a pair of jeans that also didn't look like they would help in the cold weather outside. They were full of holes and had multiple stains. When he got to the shoes, he noticed a simple pair of sneakers that looked completely soaked from the snow outside. He watched as the little girl gingerly placed the shoe box on the belt and her soft voice caught his attention.

"Sir I wanna buy these shoes for my Mama please. It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size. Could you hurry Sir? The doctors say there's not much time. You see, she's been sick for quite a while, and I know these shoes will make her smile. And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus, tonight."

Listening to the love and desperation in her voice brought a tear to his eye. As he continued to watch her, his heart went out for the girl even more.

He counted pennies for what seem like years
And cashier says son there's not enough here
He searched his pockets franticly
And he turned and he looked at me

Jason watched as she counted her money, mostly quarters and dimes with a few singles here and there, for what seemed like an eternity. After she handed it all to the cashier, he watched the young man's face fell sadly as he told her that there was not enough to cover the shoes.

The little girl turned her chocolate brown eyes to him, and he could tell she was holding back the tears. When she spoke this time, it was even quieter than before and he had to strain his ears in order to hear her.

"Mama made Christmas good at our house. Though most years she just did without. Tell me Sir what am I gonna do? Somehow I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes"

So I laid the money down
I just had to help him out
And I'll never forget
The look on his face
When he said Momma's gonna look so great.

Without a second thought Jason handed his purchases to the cashier and told him to add the shoes to his order. After paying the young man, he bent down in front of the girl and handed her the bag which contained the item she so desperately wanted. The smile she gave him just melted his heart, and when she kissed his cheek and thanked him, Jason just knew he had to help her even more.

"How did you get here, where is the person that brought you?" The girl looked down at her feet shyly while mumbling her answer

"I ran away from the hospital where Mama is. I know I shouldn't have, but I just had to get her something to make her smile once more before she meets Jesus"

Sir I wanna buy these shoes, for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see, she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful,
If Momma meets Jesus tonight.

Knowing that the nearest hospital was a good two miles away and taking in her small size as well as her old clothes, Jason was surprised that she didn't freeze to death on her way here.

Jason figured that most people would look at him strangely for doing what he was about to do, but he really didn't care. Standing up he held his hand out to her, waiting to see if she would take it. He saw the hesitation in her eyes.

"How about we pick you out a nice pretty outfit for you to wear when you see your Mama?" He saw her eyes light up for a brief moment before it disappeared and she was unsure yet again, her big brown eyes staring into his blue ones.

"I'm not supposed to go with strangers. Mama said so." Sinking back to her level, he held his hand out to her

"Your Mama is very smart. My name is Jason. What's yours?" Again she hesitated before placing her tiny hand in his massive one

"I'm Mallori. I guess we're not strangers anymore" She kept his hand as he stood and followed him into the children's section of the store.

I knew I caught a glimpse of heavens love as he thanked me and ran out.
I know that God had sent that little boy to remind me
What Christmas is all about

After standing in line yet again, Jason managed to pay for a whole new outfit for Mallori. Taking her into the family restroom he helped her wash her hair in the sink and then used the hand dryer to dry it. After he carefully brushed out her tangles, he let her change her clothes in private.

When she walked out of the bathroom, you would never know she was the same little girl as before. Her hair was now clean and fell in soft brown curls down her back. The outfit that she picked out consisted of a soft white coat covering the top of a red Christmas dress. She also wore a pair of heavy white tights as well as light pink snow boots.

Helping her put on her pink gloves and hat, they smiled at each other. Mallori took Jason's hand without reserve this time and allowed him to escort her out of the store.

"Let's take you to your Mama"

As she got herself situated in the back seat of Jason's SUV, Mallori clung tightly to the box of shoes. He could tell that she was nervous. Whether it was because she ran away, or that she was accepting a ride from a complete stranger, or that she was worried about her mother, he wasn't positive. Maybe it was a combination of all three. Whatever it was, he was going to do everything he could to get her to the hospital to see her mother.

Sir I wanna buy these shoes for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus tonight

I want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus tonight

-

song is The Christmas Shoes by Newsong