Monday, December 20, 2010

He gave. She gave.

Unfolding a piece of paper, Grace began reading off a list of names. “Jaden, Michael, Jake, Brittany, and Jessie...”

“What are you doing honey?” I asked.

“Our school is selling candy-grams, for $1.00 I can send a message and have a candy cane delivered to someone’s home room.” She smiled.

I know all of Grace’s closest friends and had never heard these names before. At eleven-years-old, occasional babysitting jobs are her only form of income. Five dollars might very well clean out her piggy bank.

“Sweetheart, who are these children? Aren’t you getting one for Mackenzie?”

“I decided to do something different. Mackenzie is still one of my best friends, but she will get lots of candy grams. I decided to send them to kids in my school who might not get one.”

A lump began to form in my throat.

“Jaden is autistic. He sits by himself at lunch. Michael is really, really smart and gets made fun of by the popular kids. Jake is the boy I told you about at the library, the one who walks kind of funny, remember? He offered to give me his seat and girls walked by him and whispered, Jake-alert. Jake-alert. I could tell he felt bad. Kids encouraged Brittany to dance at lunch last week. She thought they were being nice, but they were really being mean. And, Jessie, well she is kind of chubby and sits by herself in class and doesn’t talk much.”

My child went on and on with her reasons for giving—I couldn’t help but whisper a prayer of thanks for my daughters’ heart. “What are you going to write in their message?” I asked.

“I’m not sure. I think I’m just going to write, Merry Christmas – God Loves You.”

“I’m sure they will love it.” I reached out and pulled her in for a hug.

God so loved the world that He gave. This Christmas season encourage your children to give anonymously. Lead by example and show them how it’s done.

  • Drop off a plate of cookies on your neighbor’s front porch, ring their doorbell and run!

  • Write out a Christmas card for someone and fill it with reasons why this person is loved by you. Don’t sign your name. Have your child address it and drop it in the mail.

  • Take your child with you to the grocery store. Have them help you pick out food for someone you know is hurting financially. Let your child drop the bag off at the house.

Remember, we are loved by a God who gives lavishly. Let’s remember to touch the lives of someone in His name by giving.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...Isaiah 9:6

For God so loved the world that He gave...John 3:16



Who can you give to this week?







15 comments:

Keli Gwyn said...

What a beautiful story! I love your daughter's compassionate and giving heart. You've instilled wonderful values in her.

Charlotte/For Such A Time As This said...

Your story made me cry (good tears). What your daughter did is the very best example of what Christmas should be. Because God so loved...we love also.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family...God bless.

Amy Sullivan said...

Oh, I pray this is the attitude I have when giving! I love this story, and I hope when it is time for my daughter to start making decisions about candy grams and gifts, she thinks of people beyond her circle!

Donna said...

Children learn by example - she must have a wonderful example in you.
May you and your family have a blessed Christmas.

Peggy said...

Blessings Joanne...this truly blesses me! "...and a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6b What a beautiful heart your daughter has and so thoughtful... I agree with Donna (since she already said what I thought)... I pray that she is blessed beyond all measure. Just look at the wonderful suggestions you gave us to send some "candy grams" too.

I read your wonderful compilation of prophecies and thoughts at the Internet Cafe and decided a visit to your home was in order to wish you a warm and blessed CHRISTmas
too! Your facts were aMazing! May you and this blessed family enJOY
a very blessed and wonderful CHRISTmas...that's alot of blessings!

Peace and love in Christ,
Peggy
(I don't get over here often enough but I still love and have your beautiful BLESSED button on my site to remind me where I can be blessed)

Nana's Nuggets said...

Hi! Joanne, how sweet and special this is! Children live what they learn, and no doubt she has been taught! the Love of Christ! Love It!! and I Thank god for giving that child a mother that is setting the example! You are a Special Mom! Merry Christmas and Blessings for the New Year!

Unknown said...

Your story touched my heart, These are the little blessing we get from God to show us that our kids are always watching us and listening and learn more by example then explination. A sign of a mommy job being well done. Congradulations!!!
You can see Gods Goodness in the heart of a child. Many Blessings, Deborah

Joanne@ Blessed... said...

Yes, this child has quite a heart. I am touched so often by how she loves on others.

We have two head-kids and two heart-kids...Grace is one of our heart-kids.

Thanks so much for your tender words. I will definitely be showing Grace ALL of your comments.

mariel said...

what a gift your daughter's heart is!!! Thank you for the challenge and the example! May the Lord richly bless her for her willing heart!

Sharon said...

Such a lovely story. Your daughter's heart is just so precious - may we all learn a lesson from her example. It truly IS better to give than to receive.

I'm thinking of what I can do to make this Christmas extra-special for my aging parents. Some way to let them know how much they still mean to me...

Thanks for reminding me of the importance of thinking of others that are less fortunate, and doing something to make them happy -

Have a WONDER-full Christmas.

GOD BLESS!

LisaShaw said...

Beautiful and tender message...

I pray a blessed Christmas for you and your family as we celebrate our LORD!

Rebecca said...

Wonderful, thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas. I hope you'll stop by my blog to catch my Christmas posting as well. Sorry have not been in the blog world much lately. Try to comment more.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Precious Grace, a name that suits her. Tell her I'll be giving candy grams in the chemo lounge this week. Maybe not in the way she did, but in a way that lets them know they are noticed and loved by God.

Have a great week, friend.

peace~elaine

Aunt Angie said...

Oh wow. What a message from that dear girl! Hug her for me too! :)

Sheri said...

Grace Grace...she really is God's Grace.

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