With Red Dots

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November 29, 2008

For many years Vivian and Lenny M. had preached in any town that welcomed them. Like most missionaries, they asked for nothing in return. The couple lived on what God, through others, provided. If they had anything extra, they gave it to the poor.

One December Vivian and Lenny were staying in Springfield, Missouri, in a little house at the end of a lane. Times had been tough that year. As Christmas neared, Vivian’s faith wavered a bit. She needed something to lift her spirits. “If you happen to come across any money,” she told Lenny, “I’d like to have a white scarf with red dots for Christmas.”

Although it seemed like an unusual request to him, Lenny longed to buy Vivian the scarf she wanted. But their cash had run out. In fact, they had hardly any food in the house. How would they manage?

When Christmas Day dawned, Vivian answered a knock on the door. It was an elderly woman she’d never seen before. Apparently the old woman knew Vivian often fed the poor. “May I have some breakfast?” she asked.

“Not today, I’m afraid,” Vivian replied. “We have nothing to share.”
“Look again,” the visitor suggested, as she came in and sat down on a kitchen chair.
Vivian opened her flour canister and was surprised to see about a cup of flour. The can had been empty the day before—she was sure of it. Quickly she made four tiny biscuits. While they were baking, she inspected her tea box and discovered a spoonful of tea. How odd!

The biscuits turned out to be enormous, golden-brown and delicious. When Vivian and her visitor had each eaten one, the visitor suggested taking the others to Lenny, who was still asleep. As Vivian did so, however, she heard the outer door close. She turned. The kitchen was empty but a little package sat on the table.

“Oh, she’s forgotten something,” Vivian said as she grabbed the package and flung open the door. The long lane was completely empty.

It was then that Vivian opened the package and understood Who had sent a Christmas visitor with the reassurance she needed. In her hands lay a white scarf with red dots.