The Needy--Us Included

She clutched her Operation Christmas Child box in her arms and called to me from the backseat of the truck with a squeal in her voice, "Mommy, I love giving these boxes! I'm so excited to pack mine up! I think this is my most favourite thing in the whole world to do."

 

I turned around and grinned at my eight year-old "bleeding heart". "You have such an important job to do for God, Emily. In fact, you're already doing it. But there's something special about the joy you have in giving, that makes me believe that working with people living in poverty will be your career someday." She had tears in her big, brown eyes as she listened and it broke my heart in a good way.

 

Each of the kids lovingly tucked the items we had purchased for their unknown child into the shoe boxes that night. They chattered about what it might be like to watch children who never receive gifts, tearing open the boxes filled with things they had meticulously chosen for them. That boy of mine periodically asked to keep this item or that but he's catching onto this sacrificial giving thing. We watched the YouTube videos of Samaritan's Purse staff passing out the priceless treasures to little outstretched arms. My kids giggled and stared in wonderment. I cried every few minutes as we continued clicking for almost an hour on various videos of recipients from different countries. It unglued me and I wept longer.

 

Jesus knew when He commanded us to care for the poor that not only would the poor be given aid, but the giver would be set free in the very act of giving. There's nothing like it, humans providing for humans in obedience to God's Word. I'm so glad Jesus calls us to give to one another. It levels us to become equals so we can grasp that we're all in need of a Saviour. But sometimes, it takes meeting basic needs first to truly help people understand the heart of God, and that is, He loves us so much that He supplies not only our needs but He offers His Son. We are all set free when we receive that Gift!

Did God Forget?

He's snuggled in his jammies on the couch, with a bowl in front of him and I bring him toast to take the "ickies" away. He's staring out the window but he says, "Mommy, did God forget to feed the poor people?"
I'm stopped in my tracks and I search for words. He's still deep in thought but finally turns his eyes toward me.

"No, Babe," I reply, "God didn't forget. He loves people so very much. He has asked us to take care of the poor people. It's a command to us and we actually can't please God if we don't." (James 1:27)

He turns away again and is quiet. I stand waiting for the next profound thought. Finally, he responds, "Then why am I the only one giving to them!?" Oh, precious kid! He can't understand why there is still poverty if people are really giving. He certainly knows he's giving! He's purging his toys and things constantly and telling me he wants to share them with the poor people. I assure him that I know many, many other children and adults who are taking care of the less fortunate and he's still looking at me with wonder in his eyes. I silently pray that my boy finds his calling in caring for the needy. God places these passions in our hearts while we're young.

I stroll out of the room and reassess my own giving. Am I sharing, loving, giving what is required of me--not what is required of my friend and neighbour, but of me? When so many intelligent but misinformed people are blaming God for forgetting the needs of this world, how am I contributing to that notion? As Christians, we must share His love by providing for the basic needs of others. My son understands this well because I've trained him to think this way, but I need to be sure my words match my actions. May the world see that God has not forgotten His people because I am obeying His command to care for them. I am His hands and feet.

Please visit this momma (my friend) who is passionate about teaching her children about giving.

http://myeverythoughtcaptive.blogspot.com/2011/12/heart-shaping-and-kingdom-building.html

A Tight Fist

A scowl-faced girl with a tightly clenched fist stared deep into my eyes.

"I don't want to give him any!" she crowed.

I quickly prayed for wisdom. "But if you do, you'll never regret it," I replied, pulling my small, teary-eyed boy into the huddle. She kept her eyes fixed on me, refusing to acknowledge his presence. "When we share what we have with another person, we get to see their joy because of our kindness and that makes us feel so good. God made it this way so that we would love sharing."

Her grip loosened, knuckles not so white, shoulders dropped a little. The three of us stood in silence for a moment. I could almost see the wheels turning in her little mind. "Well," she began, eyes peering into her fist all stuffed with melting m&m's, "he can have one." She turned toward her brother and carefully plucked a brown candy from between her fingers and held it out to him. A grateful boy wiped his tears with the back of his hand and popped the m&m into his mouth.

She turned back to me. "That's good, right?" she questioned with raised eyebrows.

I sighed and pulled her in close. "It's a start," I whispered.

And off they ran, as though nothing had ever happened and I sat thinking about how often my tight fisted-ness has kept me from peace and joy. I had convinced myself that I give tremendous amounts of love and time to others--others who are easy to give to. But when I began to think about who in my life is difficult to selflessly give to, that caused me to wonder what God thinks of my giving. Is it all like "filthy rags" to Him if it's not with a cheerful heart? If it's not given equally to each needy one He sends my way? What about my cranky neighbour? My high-maintenance friend? My weary husband? I can see it all so clearly in my children, why not in my own selfish heart?

I bowed my head and opened my tight fists and asked the Lord to help me to give abundantly, uncompromisingly and selflessly to all... especially those who are difficult.

P.S. For all of you who are wondering if you're the high maintenace friend... you're not. I had no one in mind, in particular. In fact, I'm sure I can be one of those too :)

Thinking About Christmas Yet?

Even if you aren't... (click on the youtube title to view full screen)

Let's teach our children this year what Christmas is really all about.

(inspired by http://www.thyhandhathprovided.blogspot.com/ )

The Gift of Giving

There are Givers and there are Takers. Personally, I have a lot of Givers in my life. I am so blessed to know these people. I watch them and I'm amazed at their humility and selflessness. They take pleasure in giving small and large offerings to those around them and never expect anything in return. I can't begin to recount each person and everything thing they do, so I'll just share about the one I encountered today.

There is a man who has worked for my husband for many years. He is always looking for ways to give to our family. We receive things that he has picked up from distant places on his visits with family and he also drops off food and treats. Today, he came to show my children that the plums were ripe on the fruit trees at the nursery. We all went down and he said he really wanted them to pluck the yellow plums straight from the source and eat them. He thought this would be a wonderful thing for them to experience. It was very kind of him and we enjoyed it.

We brought the plums home and each of us washed and ate of God's goodness and I thanked Him for the thoughtfulness of this man.

Lord, help me to be a true Giver, the kind that expects nothing in return. Help me to bless others and to take joy simply in the gift of giving.