Gross.
I spent the evening with friends and came home after the boys returned from their trip. The house was dark and it was long after bedtime so needless to say, I was a tad surprised when I climbed out of the car and was greeted by Riece, my oldest son. He has a 'puppy personality'; he's playful, even-keel, ready to laugh, warm, and friendly. He also has huge brown eyes which he's learned to use to talk me into driving him somewhere or letting him have dessert.
Rather than lecture him about being in bed on a church night, I let him pull me into a huge hug. For him to excitedly greet me in the front yard meant that he had something he wanted to talk about.
Riece. "Hi, Momma!"
Me. "Hi, Baby! How was your weekend?"
Riece. "Fine. So there was this guy...."
Riece launched into a story about a young man he met who has a rough life - a really rough life. This young man was wearing shoes that were too small for him because he couldn't afford new ones. His feet always hurt. When Riece heard the young man's story, he took his own shoes off - his favorite pair of Nikes - and gave them to this young man.
Riece then let the rest of the story trail off. He was watching my face, anxiously waiting for my response.
Admittedly, I was a bit bummed because Nikes aren't cheap and things have been tight lately. (I know- shame on me for my selfishness.) I then quietly questioned if my tender-hearted son had been taken advantage of. My inner momma bear tried to quickly put the pieces of the story together to see if it made sense.
My mind started whirling...
I've felt God telling me to give when the people weren't 'in need' and maybe they were taking advantage of me. My obedience to God doesn't depend on the other person. It only depends on me.
My obedience to God communicates my love for God
as I trust him with my resources,
regardless of what the other person does with the gift.
And who am I to say 'no' to God when he's the giver of all good things anyway? So what if finances are a bit tight? My life is blessed! I have food, a home, and running water which is more than so many people have in other parts of the world! I am rich, rich, rich by the worlds standards!
Bottom line: My son felt the need to give. Whether he was moved by compassion, felt God calling him to action, or whether he simply knew it was the right thing to do - he did it. He followed through. He shared a prized possession with another.
I smiled.
Me. "Wow! I'm so proud of you! That is a big deal!! Good job, Sweetie! Way to love others in such a sacrificial way..."
I walked him back to his room and waited while he excitedly hopped into bed and wiggled his body under the covers. I scratched his back and prayed for his heart, mind, soul, character, and for rest. I thanked God for bringing him home to me and for the many blessings we have in our lives. I kissed his freshly showered hair, whispered my love then went upstairs where Cliff shared more of the story. This young man may have have received the blessing of Riece's shoes but his hope, joy, and story impacted the lives of everyone else.
I went to bed that night pondering the sacrifice entailed when giving away the things we love. There have been things that God has asked me to give, not because of what it would mean to the other person but because the thing meant so much to me.
Like a dumb Eddie Bauer sweatshirt I gave my sister when she was running low on clothes. It was my favorite, most comfortable sweatshirt. I wore it all the time. I loved it! (Did I already say that?) And yet it was time to let it go. My sister never wore it. She really didn't like it so she passed it along to someone else. Over twelve years ago. And my heart still hurts, just a tiny bit, thinking about it.
It's ridiculous how attached we are to 'stuff' which is why giving is such a needed discipline in our lives. We have a love and attachment to things that don't even matter. I can promise you this - my sweatshirt doesn't miss me.
Part of me was super proud of my son. He gave away one of his favorite possessions and one of the few Nike items he owns. He gave of himself.
The other part of me would expect nothing less. Of course my son would give his shoes - he should! Ideally all our hearts would give whenever we see a need- we are called to love our our neighbors in word and deed.
My sweet son gave his shoes. He didn't have to. He could've walked away promising to pray for the young man. Or Riece couldn't ignored him - this would've been the easiest thing to do - avoid another person's misfortunes. He could've been a skeptic or simply offered to buy the kid a pair of flip flops.
But he didn't. He gave his shoes.
No comments:
Post a Comment