William donned his fluorescent vest and made his way to his post. He was running a little late today. School would let out in just under ten minutes. His gaze caught on the trees overhead. Buds poked from the ends of the branches. How could it be spring already? This was supposed to be a temporary job until he found something better. How had he ended up as a school crossing guard at this season of his life? When Cranston, Inc. closed, he was sure he’d find something soon. But jobs were hard to come by at his age. He’d been deemed “overqualified.”

The bell rang, and students streamed from the school. Time to focus. William lifted his sign to halt the traffic as the students crossed the street.

“Hi, Mr. Bill!”

“Happy Monday, Mr. Bill!”

“I got an A on my test, Mr. Bill!”

One by one, the students greeted him with smiles. He reached into the deep pockets of his jacket and handed out candies to those who held out their hands. That certainly spread fast. He chuckled to himself. A few months back, little Sarah Wiggins had fallen and scraped her knee on the sidewalk. To distract her from her tears, he’d given her a wrapped candy he had in his pocket. Word spread, and he soon became known for his candy. He limited it to Mondays, though, because otherwise half his salary would be spent on treats. And everyone needed a little something special on a Monday. It made the children happy, and truth be told, he loved it as well.

After all the children were safely to their destinations, he plodded back to his car. Another shift over. He headed home and logged into his bank account. The balance was definitely dwindling. What if he never got another full-time job? He sorted through his budget and made a few tweaks. His retirement savings was sizeable. In another year, he could begin withdrawing from that account. All he needed to do was make it until then. If he was careful, he could do it.

The worry fell off his shoulders, but the tightness in his chest remained. He sent up a prayer.

“God, thanks for showing me I’m OK in the finance department for now. If you could just keep me afloat for another year, I’d sure appreciate it. No big expenses, please. And my chest is feeling awfully funny. Please settle my spirit. Seems I’m still anxious.”

Instead of the comfort he usually felt after praying, the tightness in his chest intensified. He got up to get a drink of water. Must be heartburn. As he stood, perspiration beaded on his forehead and rolled down his back. What in tarnation? He grabbed the edge of the chair for support as his vision blurred. This was not heartburn. He punched 911 into his phone, just as everything went black.

~*~

William opened his eyes to glaring fluorescent lights and groaned. A nurse approached. “Welcome back, Mr. Jackson. Don’t try to sit up. How are you feeling?”

William blinked to focus on her. “Lousy. What happened?”

“You had a heart attack. We’ll be keeping you here for a few days to monitor your heart. You may need bypass surgery, but I’ll let the doctor tell you all the specifics.”

William squeezed his eyes shut. He’d just prayed for God to help him out. And this was the thanks he got? The crossing guard job didn’t offer health insurance. There was no way he could pay for bypass surgery. He’d have been better off dying on the kitchen floor. Who’d miss him, anyway?

The next few days blurred together in a series of endless medical tests. Fortunately, he was deemed healthy enough to go home without surgery. Armed with a list of prescriptions and discharge instructions, he headed out to call a driver, but was met by the school principal.

“I’m so glad to hear you’re doing well, Mr. Jackson.”

William blinked. “Mrs. Franklin. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“I’m here to drive you home.”

“But how did you know?”

Mrs. Franklin grinned. “I’ve been in touch with your son, who’s kept me abreast of your condition. He’s so sorry he couldn’t be here.”

A rush of pride welled up at the thought of Jason. “He’s serving his country. They don’t let you out of active duty just for a little thing like your dad having a heart attack.”

“He’d like you to call him when you get home.”

William swallowed against the lump forming in his throat. “I don’t want to bother him.”

Mrs. Frankland used her best principal’s voice. “You nearly died. Your son wants to talk to you.”

“Yes, ma’am.” William settled into a wheelchair and Mrs. Franklin steered him out of the hospital and helped him into her car. When they approached his street, Mrs. Franklin slowed. A crowd blocked their path. William peered out the window. A line of people snaked from one end of the street to the other.

“I think we should get out here.” Mrs. Franklin pulled the car over and settled William back into the wheelchair. He blinked. The street was lined with children. His children. They stood side by side the entire way down the street to his house. What on earth?

Mrs. Franklin placed a large basket in his lap and steered the wheelchair past the children. One by one, they cheered. “Welcome back, Mr. Bill!” As he passed them, each child placed something in his basket. A card, a colored picture, a photograph… But every one handed him a piece of brightly wrapped candy as they declared, “Happy Monday!”

When they reached his driveway, little Sarah Wiggins beamed at him as she placed a check on the top of his basket. William blinked at the amount. “What?”

Sarah’s mom stepped forward. “When we heard of your hospitalization, we set up a fundraising drive. That money is to pay for your hospital bills. It’s a small token of our appreciation for all you do for our students every day.” She turned toward the rest of the children who had followed the wheelchair down the street to William’s driveway. “Ready, kids? 1…2…3…

A chorus rang out across the warm spring breeze “We love you, Mr. Bill!”

William couldn’t blink back the tears. God hadn’t forgotten about him after all.

Matthew 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

God, life doesn’t always turn out the way we expect it. And You don’t always answer prayers the way we would expect. But Your ways are always good. Help us remember our true worth is not in job titles or in accumulated wealth, but it is found in You, and in what we do for others. Please help us make a difference in the lives of those around us by showing them Your love. In Jesus name, Amen.