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at him in surprise but didn't check the wagon.

"See that, Jack. He took the money I gave him and bought food for that homeless woman."

Jack stood in frozen silence, then replied without turning his eyes from Sonny. "Yes, baguettes and sardines ... or herring, judging from the shape of the cans. Fishes and loaves."

Walter tilted his head and looked at Jack through a raised brow."

Jack added, "You know Walter, if that man made such an impression on you, perhaps you should investigate - go over and talk to him. I understand you're skeptical about such things, but maybe he showed up in your life for a reason."

Walter shrugged. "You could have a point, I guess. It's rare that I feel like this about much of anything. But the fact is, I'm too afraid to do it."

"Oh, he's harmless ... I'm certain of it. I've never even seen him raise his voice."

"Walter shrugged it off. "That's not what scares me, not that he'd assault me or anything. I'm more afraid of being disappointed again. You know, finding out that he is simply a homeless vagrant. It's happened every time I've chased after a ghost of faith."

"Jack nodded, "I know exactly what you mean. People will often disappoint." Jack's face softened. "But they can also inspire. I like to think that when they inspire, its the spirit working through them."

Walter saw that Jack was looking back at the chapel as he spoke. When he answered, his voice dropped a notch. "What about you Jack, how does your faith hold up. I'm sure it gets tested more than most people's."

"John turned back to Walter. " Ironically, running a Church, all the logistics and planning, the negotiations and mediating, it can all sometimes lead you further from the spirit. I have to remind myself that it's about faith in God, not faith in man. For some of my people, belief is knowing the truth absolutely and without any doubt, even in the face of apparent contradictions and counter evidence. For others of us, it's knowing ... and accepting ... that we can never know absolute truth - that's the province of God alone.

Seriously Walter, don't disregard the possibility that Sonny appeared in your life and got your attention for a reason."

"What if he's here not for me but for you? After all, it's your Church where he keeps showing up."

Jack opened his mouth to speak, but changed his mind. Walter looked down the street where the old woman sat rocking on the curb, munching on a loaf. Sonny was nowhere in sight. Walter stood up.

"Jack, you've give me a lot to think about. I'd better get home and help Lorraine with the chores."

"Yes, please give her my regards. And thank-you Walter, you've given me a lot to think about."

Walter crossed and headed down the block to the minivan. As he unlocked the door, the open day planner sitting on the passenger seat caught his attention. His name, Walter S. Newman, appeared prominently at the top of the owner's page. He stood at the door without opening it and exhaled deeply, then turned and looked once more down the empty street. He shrugged and climbed in.

Learn more about this author, Jim Mcinvale.
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