A woman becomes intrigued by a little girl soliciting passersby to buy her last pair of boots near the church and chooses to follow her; what she finds along the way affects her life forever.

Ryan Jenkins knew he wouldn’t have it easy after losing his wife Martha to illness. Within three months of Martha’s condition, he was struggling to pay the bills and care for their daughter Sally, and things only became worse when Martha passed away.

Ryan, now a single parent and a modest construction worker in Pennsylvania, worked tirelessly to make his daughter Sally content and satisfy all of her expectations.

When he felt lonely and sad, convinced that life was only getting worse by the minute, he went to a local church and begged God to set things right for them and keep him and his daughter safe. He had taught Sally the same thing.

“Honey,” he said. “Just because something awful happens in life does not imply God isn’t watching out for us. It’s because he’s putting us to the test and making us stronger for the rest of our lives.”

At six years old, Sally didn’t understand. Nevertheless, she nodded and smiled warmly at Ryan.

Unfortunately, Ryan suffered a terrible leg injury while working on a construction job. The doctors advised that he’d have to be on bed rest for a month following surgery and take good care of himself in order to heal quickly.

Ryan was already on a limited budget, struggling to make ends meet, so paying for the operation seems out of the question. “Doctor, isn’t there another option? I don’t think surgery would be an option for me right now,” he said hopelessly.

“Well, Mr. Jenkins,” the doctor responded. “I can let you go with one week of full bed rest, but surgery is essential. You can only walk on crutches till that time.”

“That would do, doctor,” Ryan said before completing the discharge form the next morning.

When tiny Sally noticed her father straining to walk when he returned home, she approached him with concern. “Daddy?” she inquired curiously. “Why do you walk like that? Mrs. Hall stated that physicians would detain you in the hospital for treatment. Is it finished?

Ryan grinned at Sally. “There is no need for that, Sally. Surgery is costly, and Daddy cannot afford it. But don’t worry; Papa is strong and will recover shortly.”

Sally was not convinced. “Are you sure, Daddy?” she said quizzically.

“Yes, honey,” Ryan said. “By the way, thank you for being a good girl to Mrs. Hall while I was in the hospital yesterday.” She mentioned that you are a lovely girl.”

Sally smiled in response to Ryan’s remark and stated, “Mrs. Hall cooked me pancakes, Daddy.” She cooks just like Mommy. She brought breakfast for you, too,” she said before walking away to her room with her doll.

Ryan’s heart throbbed with agony when Sally mentioned Martha. His beloved Martha was no longer with him, and it seemed her memories were already eroding from his consciousness.

Meanwhile, back in her room, Sally was thinking about how she might help her father. He had informed her they didn’t have any money, but she was determined to help him. As a result, she started selling her toys, clothes, and shoes for cash to other pupils at her school.

One weekend, Sally left home after breakfast, telling Ryan she was going to play at a friend’s house, but in reality, she went to a nearby church. She brought her last pair of boots, the ones Martha had given her as a farewell present.

She had planned to never sell it because it was brand new and she had only worn it once, but she went against her preferences to help her father get funds for his operation.

Because it was a Sunday and many people went to church on weekends, Sally assumed she’d have no trouble finding a customer for her new shoes. However, to her dismay, not a single person paid attention to her.

Everyone was rushing inside the church, both to attend early mass and to escape the cold. Those who had just arrived pulled her away, saying they did not want to buy anything.

Despite this, Sally persisted in asking passersby for assistance. “Please assist me. “I need money,” she implored, but it was all for nothing.

After nearly an hour of this, Sally began to lose faith that anybody would buy her shoes. She had also started to feel fatigued, so she decided to go home. Then a woman approached her.

“Hi, young woman! I am Jennifer. I observed that you are selling these boots. How much do they cost?

“Hello! I’m Sally.” I am selling them for $30.”

“These shoes are gorgeous! “I will buy them from you.”

“Really? “Thank you!” After receiving payment, Sally gave the woman a broad smile and hurried back home.

Jennifer wondered why the small girl was selling shoes outside the church. She was decently clothed and did not look to be destitute or in desperate need of money.

Jennifer wasn’t a frequent attendee at the church, but she’d been visiting it since she lost her daughter and husband in a fatal car accident. That day, when she saw Sally selling shoes, she got curious about her, so she decided to skip the masses and follow the girl.

A few minutes later, Jennifer found herself at an old house in one of the most lonely blocks in the neighborhood. After seeing the door close behind Sally, she approached the house and knocked on it. But there was no answer.

Thinking Sally was alone at home—probably that’s why she wasn’t answering—she decided to leave. But just then, the door opened, and Ryan came outside. “Hi, how may I help you?”

“Oh dear,” Sally gasped, seeing Ryan in crutches. He also seemed very tired and sick.

“Hi, I’m Jennifer. I just met Sally at church, and…”

“At the church?” Ryan asked, confused.

“Yes, I just bought a pair of boots from her,” Jennifer replied, showing him the shoes. “I didn’t really mean to buy them, but I saw her asking strangers for money, so I just thought of helping her.”

“I wonder why Sally sold them! They’re her favorites! Please come in,” Ryan replied, showing her the way inside.

Stepping inside, Jennifer could see the house wasn’t particularly clean. Dishes littered the table, and clothes littered the living room. “Please don’t mind the mess,” Ryan said, embarrassed. “Being a single father isn’t really easy.”

“Oh no, it’s okay.”

Just then, Sally came to the living room. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Jennifer. “Oh! It’s you!”

“Hi, Sally.” Jennifer smiled at herself.

“Jennifer just told me you met her at the church, Sally! You sold your favorite boots?! What’s going on? You said you were going to your friend’s house.”

“Well, daddy…” Sally lowered her head. “I didn’t want to lie, but I wanted to get a lot of money for your surgery. So I started selling my books, toys, and shoes. When I met Jennifer, I was selling the boots mommy had bought me.”

“What?” Ryan was taken aback. But instead of scolding Sally, he patiently explained that she shouldn’t have done that.

Jennifer, moved by the father and daughter’s plight, decided to assist them, and that night, while she was home, she set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Ryan’s surgery.

Three days later, she visited their home with a $50,000 check, and Ryan couldn’t stop thanking her. He finally had his surgery and was back on his feet. Jennifer came to see him frequently after the surgery, and as they spent time together, they fell in love.

When they decided to get married, they spoke to Sally about it, and she was more than pleased to accept Jennifer as a mother.

Last year, Jennifer and Ryan welcomed a daughter even though doctors previously said Jennifer couldn’t have children. Jennifer and Ryan believe God’s will made it possible for them to conceive.