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"Run home to mama and listen to your silly music," taunted Butch Miller as a frightened Jimmy Rose dusted off his tattered jeans, the same pair he wore almost everyday. Jimmy desperately tried to choke back his tears, but a flood erupted like the dam broke.

Walking home, his head bowed beneath a weight of emotion, Jimmy wondered why Butch took pleasure in hurting him. He recalled a few days earlier when the school bully asked him if he liked music, and especially Eminem's. Jimmy innocently replied, "Sure. I like red ones the best and I love Gospel music, too." Butch and his pals roared at his naïve answer. The joke was on Jimmy, or so they thought. Then Butch called the much smaller boy a sissy, but he didn't touch him. Until today when he snuck-up from behind and tripped the poor kid.

The Rose family was poor, but Jimmy Rose didn't seem to notice. Though his father was disabled in a mill accident and couldn't work, Jimmy believed they had everything they needed. And more.

In many ways the Roses were rich. Mrs. Rose could whip up a scrumptious meal with hamburger helper and green peppers, and she baked the absolute best cookies and pies in the world. Jimmy and his younger sister, Anna, knew they were loved. On the kitchen wall there was a Dollar Store plaque proclaiming "Christ Is the Head of Our House." Mr. and Mrs. Rose taught their children about Jesus before they could walk. Often music filled their home. Most of it came from a twenty dollar boombox Violet Rose picked up at a yard sale only days before her husband was injured. They loved listening to cassettes of the Kingsmen, Inspirations, Cathedrals and others. They even had three CD's - two by Ivan Parker and one from the Talley Trio. Ivan was Jimmy's favorite singer. The recordings, given to them by friends, were all just about worn out. Nowadays they couldn't afford luxuries like that.

Jimmy Rose had a dream. One day he hoped to meet the singer he loved. Whenever he felt lonely, usually at school, he'd play a make-believe game in his mind. His dream was that he'd be on the playground and a big bus would pull up and stop, right beside the schoolyard. All the kids would notice because it wouldn't be an ordinary bus, it would be one of those custom coaches like Gospel singers ride in. The door would open and his hero would step out. Best of all, they'd be there just to see him. Sometimes, when Jimmy sensed Butch was going to pick on him, he liked to pretend his hero would arrive just in time to rescue him. That was Jimmy's dream.

December first rolled in faster than he wanted it to. Jimmy Rose pulled his collar up and stepped from the warm cafeteria into the cold winter air. Deep in thought, he wondered how in the world he would pay for the Ivan Parker CD he planned on giving his parents for Christmas. So far, he only had a dollar saved. Jimmy crossed the playground, walked past the swings, and was waiting by the fence for the bell to ring. Suddenly, a sharp slap to his shoulders snapped him back to reality and sent him sprawling. Butch Miller stood over him sneering, "Hey sissy, did your mommy pack you a Southern Gospel sandwich for lunch?" Butch's tone was more threatening than ever, but for some reason Jimmy felt peace sweep over him. Then it happened.

Some people say the age of miracles ended the day Jesus ascended. Try telling it to Jimmy Rose. When the silver and burgundy MCI coach came around the corner and rolled to a stop, making the hissing sound air brakes make, right then and there Jimmy Rose became a baptized, born-again believer in them. The door opened and a tall dark-haired man stepped out. He looked important, like a movie star or the president of something. Jimmy's eyes got bigger than saucers and he shouted, "Ivan Parker!" Even Butch, who didn't know Ivan from Adam, suddenly went bug-eyed the way one of those goofy Warner Brothers cartoon characters does.

Ivan approached calling out, "Hello Jimmy! How ya' been?"

Could the eight year old believe his eyes and his ears? Both were telling him this was no dream. Meanwhile Butch, who was trying to slink away, got a lesson in humility. Ivan gently took his arm and sternly cautioned, "Don't hurt my buddy, buddy. You got that?"

Jimmy smiled sheepishly. This was way cool! Butch Miller was shaking like a leaf and looked like he was about ready to cry. And the best part was every kid in school seemed to be on the playground and saw it happen.

Looking up at Ivan Jimmy questioned, "How did you know my name?" quickly adding, "And where my school was?" Clearly he was beside himself. The singer exchanged a few friendly words with some of the kids, then led the still-surprised youngster to his bus. "Come in and visit before you have to go back to class," he invited. Together they sat in the lounge area behind the driver's compartment. Ivan explained how Jimmy's mother had written him a few months before, sending him a picture and detailing what a big fan her son was. The young man's face beamed from meeting his hero, and from the fresh awareness of how much his mother loved him.

Ivan said, "I'm singing in town tonight, so I thought we'd drive over and meet you. It looks like I got here just in the nick of time, too!" They both laughed and Ivan confided, "I used to get picked on when I was a kid. Don't let it bother you, Jimmy. You're a fine young man and the Lord will protect you. Always."

The bell was ringing as Ivan's bus pulled away. Jimmy couldn't believe his good fortune. In his pocket were concert tickets for the whole family and his book bag was filled with CD's and videos, all autographed to him. Except one. Ivan's latest project Redeemer was inscribed: "Mr. and Mrs. Rose, You have a fine son. Ivan Parker."

From his desk in the front row Jimmy gazed through the window skyward. Snow had begun to fall. His young heart was overflowing with joy. It was nearly Christmas and this would be the best one ever. He felt special. After all, God had just sent someone special to visit him. Wow, Jimmy thought, that's what He did when He sent Jesus into the world!

As for Butch, like his parents always told him, life would be a series of tests. Mulling over the miraculous events of the day, Jimmy reached under his seat and located a Geography book.

"Put your textbooks away class. Today we're having a pop quiz," echoed the teacher's voice through the room.

Jimmy Rose couldn't help smiling.

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