The sidewalk Santa saw the little crippled girl going by;
He asked her if she wanted to stop and talk a little while.
Hi she said, I’m four and my name is Mary Lou;
Yes-thanks, I will stop to rest and talk a while with you.  

What can ole Santa bring you for Christmas this year little girl?
She said: “There is only one thing I want the most in this whole world.
I want my Daddy to be saved, cause he drinks really an awful lot;
He gets mad at Mommy and yells at her, for things that she forgot?”  

“But, Santa, you don’t have to give me something or do a single thing;
I asked Jesus to talk to His’ Father……….God The Holy King.
You see, the Bible says if we ask, God will answer all our prayers;
I know He will because He loves me, and He really cares.”  

“We use to be a happy family, when Daddy didn’t drink;
Let me see, that was in…….2003……..yeah, that was it……I think.
You see my Daddy was out of work when I suddenly got really sick;
That is why I have to walk now, with these two wooden sticks.”  

“We had no money to pay a doctor, that’s what brought him to the brink;
When he learned I would be cripppled for life, Daddy started to drink.
He was always a good Daddy and I know he did his best;
He use to believe in God………you know what Santa?………I think this is just a test.”  

“So thank you very much Santa, I don’t need a single thing;
I’m leaving it up to Jesus’ Father……….God, The Holy King.”
As she hobbled on down the street, there were tears in my eyes;
It was so beautiful, the faith in that little child.  

Mary Lou taught me, Santa, what Christmas really meant;
True faith in our Heavenly Father, because of His Son He sent.
I will pray for her because I too know God answers prayers;
Somehow I don’t think she will need it, her faith in God is strong and rare.    Amen

Pat Finn finn@mebtel.net