Going to New York

Florida first-grader Brandon Rodriguez is convinced God wants us to be kind. A dinner table conversation prompted him to travel great lengths to accomplish the task.

Brandon’s dad, Izzy Rodriguez, a native New Yorker, scans the New York Daily News online for information from his hometown. Back in August, when he read about a priest in Brooklyn who was given a parking ticket while administering sacraments to an elderly woman who was dying of the flu at a hospital, Rodriguez was annoyed.

"Can you believe it?" he told his wife over dinner at their St. Cloud home. "They fined the priest $115 while he’s administering last rites."

Six-year-old Brandon listened. "Ugh, that is horrible," he said. "Boy, God is going to be mad at that police officer."
Brandon slid off his chair and headed toward his room, Rodriguez told the Florida Catholic late last month. "Wait," said Brandon’s mother, Karen Rodriguez. "Come back here and finish your meal!"

Izzy Rodriguez reached across the table. "Wait a minute," he said.

They heard clinking sounds. Rodriguez knew it was coins dropping from the Maxwell House Coffee can in Brandon’s room.

He winked at his wife. "I know what he’s doing," Rodriguez said.

Brandon emerged, clutching the bottom of his T-shirt, which was loaded with pennies, nickels, quarters and dimes.

"Dad, can you count this?" he asked.

Rodriguez and his son sorted the coins. Rodriguez calculated the amount, which totaled $3.42, but instead of verbalizing the sum, Rodriguez said, "Wow, Brandon. You’ve got enough money to do whatever your heart desires!"

Brandon grabbed his Veggie Tales suitcase. "I need to go and help the Father in New York," he said.
[Via God’s Wonderful Love]