Give~

When I was 18, I spent Christmas in California. I hadn't intended on being there for the Holidays, but we had car problems and weren't able to make it back home.  On Christmas morning I was surprised to see a gift for me under the tree.  It was from Josh, my friend's 8 year old little brother.  I was touched that he would consider me and worry that I wouldn't have any presents to open on Christmas morning.  I carefully pulled off the paper to reveal a well worn talking calculator.  Of course I was very grateful for his thoughtfulness. Later that day while visiting with his mother I discovered how surprised she was by the gift. I learned that the calculator was Josh's very favorite toy.  I was so touched that an 8 year old boy, who didn't really even know me, would give up something that was so special to him. 

Although that was may years ago, I think about that experience often. I wonder what gifts I am willing to give. Would I give up my favorite things for my family, my friends, my neighbors or a stranger?  Do I worry that what I have to offer may not be good enough? Josh wasn't worried about giving me a used toy and by doing so he taught me a beautiful lesson. Give what you have, do what you can. It's not about things, it's about showing someone that you are thinking about them, that you care about them and that they are not alone.  

During a recent choir practice, one of the ladies talked about the primary song, "Give", Said the Little Stream. Since then it has been popping into my head and I have been thinking about the words.  In the song the stream is in a hurry to get down the hill, and even though it is small, it helps everything around it grow as it passes by. Like the little stream, I am in a hurry. Life gets so out of control and it's easy  for me to get caught up in my own craziness. I am grateful that even on the busiest days if I remember to take the time to do something for someone else I have more time, my day runs more smoothly and I am HAPPY! When I was struggling with decisions as a teenager and getting depressed, my dad told me that I must not be serving enough. He was right. Giving was the answer, and it still is. When I get confused and sad, I know what I have to do. I need to serve. 

"Give", said the little stream as it hurried down the hill. "I'm small I know but wherever I go, the fields grow greener still."