Well, he was ugly and unwanted. So I threw him out. A mother’s heart nearly stopped. The father went outside to search for the child.

Once upon a time, there was an old woman named Edith who decided she wanted to do a good deed. She gathered together all the things around her home that she no longer needed or that got on her nerves beautiful blouses, some dresses, hats, skirts everything that was simply taking up space. Edith thought to herself, “Ill take these to the church, just in case anyone needs them. Perhaps the homeless or some refugees might find use for them.”
She packed everything into a large bag and left it in the corner. She figured shed take it out the next morning, then went off to bed.
That night, believe it or not, she had a strange dream.
She felt as if her spirit had floated away from her body and was watching everything from above. The whole room was filled with a soft, brilliant light, although she was still somehow in her flat. Her soul felt incredibly joyful.
In this dream, Edith stood in the middle of her sitting room holding the bag shed packed, intending to take it to church. Suddenly, before her appeared a little girl, with bright eyes and golden hair.
What have you got in your bag? the girl asked.
Edith smiled and replied, Ive collected some things I dont need anymore. Theyre only taking up room here. I want to give them to those who really do need them. Ill take them to church tomorrow.
Youre very kind, said the girl, but the bag isnt very nice. Its dirty. Please give it a wash before you take it, will you?
Oh, all right, of course, Edith answered.
Just dont forget, the child smiled, then disappeared.
At that, Edith woke with a start. She leapt out of bed, recalling every detail of her strange dream. Was it some sort of angel, she wondered?
She glanced at the bag and began to unpack it, figuring that if it needed a wash, then so be it.
It all sounds rather ridiculous, doesnt it? Perhaps Edith was simply being superstitious to put so much stock in a dream. You might say she was overly fanciful, but Id have to disagree. I thought so myself until what happened next, which Im about to recount.
There was a family in the building where Edith lived. They had just welcomed their second child, a little boy. As was tradition, they invited friends and relatives round to celebrate.
The house bustled with visitors, well-wishers, and plenty of presents were given. But no one hugged or praised the baby. He was lovely, so tiny and new how could anyone not be taken with him? However, the parents were rather superstitious and insisted that no one should remark on the boys beauty or fortune. They warned it would bring bad luck to praise the child. The guests, not wanting to argue, played along. They looked at the newborn, then, following the parents’ lead, said unkind things.
Oh, hes such a plain little thing. Goodness, hes really not much to look at, is he? Best not to pay him too much mind.
Each took turns saying it, waving a dismissive hand at the baby. Satisfied, the parents breathed a sigh of relief and ushered everyone into the other room.
The familys elder son, Jamie, stood by listening to all of this. He watched how people spoke harshly about his baby brother, and decided, If everyone thinks the new baby is such a nuisance, why keep him?
He didn’t hesitate. He took the baby and ran out onto the balcony. Looking about, he dropped his little brother down, just as he might have tossed away an old toy.
I was left speechless when I heard this. The whole event could have ended in absolute tragedy, but the Lord looks after His own.
As it happened, Edith the very woman from the dream lived just downstairs.
Shed finished washing her bag and hung it out on the washing line beyond her window to dry.
At that very moment, from above, the baby tumbled down as if from the sky, falling straight into Ediths bag.
When the parents noticed how quiet things had gone in the next room, it was a moment too late. Entering the nursery, they found their older son on the balcony the little one was nowhere to be seen. Frantic, they asked what happened. Jamie simply said,
He was ugly and nobody wanted him, so I threw him away.
His mothers heart nearly stopped. The father dashed outside to look, and by the grace of God found the baby safe and sound, cushioned inside Ediths bag.
What a miracle! the parents cried, clutching their son in tears.
Who did they thank? You can probably guess: dear Edith, of course. No one mentioned God except the old woman herself. She knew that such fortune doesnt just happen. Had she not had the dream of the angel, shed never have washed the bag or hung it out.
Why does everyone think that luck simply falls our way? Why do so few lift their thanks heavenward?
Ive thought on this a long time, weighed every possibility, and in the end, I suppose everyone sees it as they will. All I can say is this: I dont believe in pure chance. For me, I send my thanks to God alone. Because what miracle occurs without His hand in it?