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TREASURES FOUND IN UNEXPECTED PLACES
The following story took place in our lives. How a small did can change perceptions, bring encouragement, making us to rethink the plans within our heart.
Treasures may be found in unexpected places. It could be on the bottom of the ocean, in mines, and sometimes in a child's gesture. This actually took place while itinerating in churches, sharing about the upcoming ministry in Spain. While visiting one of the churches, something rather unique took place. Usually, I am not a "children's speaker" but to speak to kids and young people is a special time of interaction.
My comments found a hosting heart. For sure, there were others as well. I did not know about it, until the pastor of the church (about ten days latter) sent me a letter. In the letter, the pastor shared about Justin, his grandson, who was in one of the meetings. According to the letter this is what took place:
"Let me relate something to you (wrote the grandfather)... At one of the services my grandson Justin, who will be seven, listened to your presentation. When the service was over, he went home with his parents. Justin went to his room, made an envelope (taped with masking tape), and put money in it. Then he went downstairs to his parents (my son and his wife), and they asked him what the envelope was for. He said, ‘I heard the missionary talk about needy children. I have been thinking about that. God has blessed me and I want to give an offering to help.'
I have enclosed the envelope and the offering that is inside. I have not opened it, but it is for you, from Justin..."
You did not see my face when I first looked at the envelope. My son would have said that it was a "Kodak" moment. Little Justin made the envelope out of a letter size paper. He folded it almost to perfection, put the offering inside, and secured it with masking tape. The handwriting on the envelope was boldly written with a crayon. On one side, it said "missions." On the other side, it said "From Justin." When I read the letter from his grandfather, I just sat there in complete amazement.
Justin, a 7-year-old boy had given $0.17 to Missions and to Spain!
How does Jesus look at something like this, when a little boy gives one dime, one nickel and two pennies? I think He looks at it, very much as He looked at the widow's offering, or at the little boy's lunch. Am I going to use that money for the children in Spain? Yes, I will, but with a little "switch". I am going to keep the very coins and the envelope that Justin sent me for as long as I can, and replace the offering with my own seventeen cents. Justin's four coins will be a remarkable reminder of the pure heart of a boy, who so unselfishly gave what he had because others had need of it. Could we follow his example?
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