A Child's Gift

Yesterday evening, we took a few things to some neighbors' to share. One thing was some crocheted items that the mom had requested quite some time ago, that I finally was able to bring along and give to her. She said all along that she wanted to pay for them, but I didn't feel that was necessary, I was happy to give them to her as a gift. But she was insistent that she would pay for them sometime, but she didn't have any cash on hand at the moment. I reassured her, no problem, just whenever, and whatever she wanted to do.

Well.

Her young daughter (around 8 years old or so) was there in the room, and happened to have a dollar bill that someone had given her for helping with a chore, plus some change. So as she heard her mother say that she wanted to pay for the items but couldn't right now, the daughter tried to give me her dollar bill. Oh dear! I told her, "No, that's OK, that's really kind of you to offer, but you go ahead and keep that." Well, she kept trying, then she held out her hand with the change she had, and was INSISTENT that I at least take that to help pay for her mom's things. I kept trying to get her to keep it, but no, she was INSISTENT. So hesitantly, and carefully, I let her put the change into my hands, and I was sure to tell her thank you and that she was very kind and generous, and gave her a hug. I remember how much it means to a kid to have money. Her lesson of giving and sharing made a huge impact on my heart. It was "only" 27 cents, but I considered it a HUGE gift, both in amount, and from her sweet heart's motive.

May we all be that quick and ready to be GENEROUS AND HELPFUL.

Guess where this 27 cents is going? After that beautiful gift of giving, I can't bring myself to spend it on ANYTHING. So .... it will go in the offering plate at church this morning, and bless someone else. I hope I will never forget this.