Ella strolled through town, gazing longingly in the store windows, when a flash of pink caught her eye. A brilliant pink raincoat stood in the window. Oh, how lovely Mama would look in that coat. When she was well again, she’d need a raincoat to get back and forth to the bus station. Ella moved closer to the glass and pressed her nose against it, trying to catch a glimpse of the price tag. Twenty dollars. Her heart sank. How would she ever get that much money?

She continued to the market and handed Mr. Thomas her list.

“How’s your mother doing today, Ella?” he asked.

“She’s still tired, but I know she’ll be better soon. The doctor has come by with medicine.”

Mr. Thomas’ smile was sad. “I hope you’re right, dear child. I’m sure you’re doing a fine job taking care of things at home while your father is at work.”

Ella swelled with pride. “I am. Mama taught me how to do lots of things, like laundry and cooking, and I already know how to take care of Howie.”

“He’s a lucky little boy, having a big sister like you,” Mr. Thomas said. He gathered the items on her list and packaged them for her. “There’s some penny candy in there for you and Howie. My treat.”

“Oh, Mr. Thomas, that is kind of you.” Ella handed over the money her father had given her and accepted the package and change from Mr. Thomas. She walked the half-mile back home and unpacked the groceries in the kitchen before checking on Mama. She lay sleeping in her bed, with Howie curled up in a ball beside her. Times like these, Ella wished she were Howie’s age again. Things were simpler then. Mama had light in her eyes. They danced and sang and played in the stream.

That evening, after supper, Ella lay in bed, dreaming of the pink raincoat and how she could earn the money to buy it. The next morning, she awoke early, full of ideas. When Howie woke, she fixed him breakfast, then took him in the wagon to visit the neighbors. When she rolled into Mrs. Johnson’s yard, she found her pinning laundry up on the line, her baby strapped to her in a sling.

“Good morning, Mrs. Johnson,” Ella said. “I was wondering if you had any chores I could do for you. I’m trying to earn money to buy a gift for my mama.”

Mrs. Johnson’s eyes filled with tears, but she blinked hard and smiled at Ella. “Dear child, I can always use help with chores.”

“I help too,” Howie said.

Mrs. Johnson laughed. “Yes, Howie. You can help too. The wash line might be a little high, but would you like to help feed the chickens? After that, you can help me weed the garden.”

Ella readily agreed, and after she and Howie fed the chickens, he played with his toy cars while Ella did the weeding.

The next day, Ella and Howie visited another neighbor and the story repeated. By the end of the week, Ella counted up her dollars, and sure enough, she had enough money to buy the raincoat. Excited, she ran into Mama’s room.

“Hi Mama,” Ella whispered. “How are you feeling today?”

Mama reached out a hand to stroke Ella’s cheek. “You are such a sweet girl, my precious Ella. Thank you for taking such good care of Daddy and Howie. I love you more than you can know. Promise me you’ll never lose your love of Jesus, and remember what I’ve always taught you.”

“You taught us that no matter how much or how little we have, we have love and Jesus, and that is enough.”

“That’s right, my child,” Mama said. “And what else?”

“Because we have enough, we should share what we have with others.”
“Yes, my love. Now I need to close my eyes.”

The next day was Saturday, and Papa was home. Ella skipped into town, ready to buy the raincoat for Mama. The rainy season would come soon, and she wanted Mama to be ready. She proudly handed over the money, and accepted the raincoat from the saleslady.

Oh, how wonderful it would be to walk hand-in-hand with Mama again, strolling in town, looking at the shops while Mama wore the beautiful coat, umbrella perched over their heads. If only wishing it could make it come true. Ella nearly ran back home, ready to show Mama the gift. When she walked into the house, though, the doctor was there, along with a stranger. Papa’s face was pinched. It was as if all the air had been sucked out of the house.

“What’s going on, Papa?”

“Your mother is gone, Ella. I’m so sorry.”

“Gone? What do you mean? She can’t be dead, she can’t be!” In her heart, though, Ella knew he was right. Papa wouldn’t be mistaken about something so important. She ran to the bedroom she shared with Howie and threw herself on her bed, sobbing. The raincoat bag fell to the floor. Why would God want her to buy the raincoat if Mama couldn’t even enjoy it?

The next few weeks, the house was a steady stream of people. Folks came to “pay their condolences,” whatever that meant. To Ella, it meant a break from cooking. Everyone who came brought food. They all had sadness in their eyes, but none could be as sad as Ella. She stole out of the house while Aunt Betty read to Howie and walked back toward town. A steady rain fell, and Ella remembered the raincoat. The beautiful raincoat her mother never even got to wear. Ella held her umbrella over her head and watched the people move towards the bus station. Men and women hurried by, all with black umbrellas and raincoats. No one wore a beautiful pink raincoat.

One woman stood out. She looked like Mama used to look, with long black hair. She didn’t have a raincoat. Her dress was worn, and she rubbed her arms like she was cold. Ella approached. “Why don’t you have a raincoat?” she asked.

“Don’t have the money for one,” she said. “All my pay goes toward taking care of my little ones.” She shrugged. “Besides, it’s only water. I’ll dry out before mid-day.”

“Do you come to the bus station every day?” Ella asked.

“You sure do ask a lot of questions,” the woman said. “Yes. Every morning at 8:00 and every evening at 5:30.” She continued on her way. “I’ve got to get to work.”

Ella nodded, then took the long way home. That evening, she returned to the train station and met the woman as she exited the bus. She held out her parcel.

“What’s this?” the woman asked.

“It’s for you. I thought I was buying it for my Mama, but she doesn’t need it anymore. God wants me to give it to you.”

“But why?” the woman asked.

“Because no matter how much or how little we have, we have love and Jesus, and that’s enough, and because we have enough, we should share with others. My mama can’t wear the raincoat, so I want you to have it.”

Hebrews 13:16

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Dear Lord, thank You for parents who serve as Godly examples to their children. Help us to look at what we have with gratitude, and not focus on what we do not have. Help us to give to those in need and see others the way You see them