One Christmas I was doing some last-minute shopping in a toy store. I noticed a nicely dressed little girl enthusiastically browsing—a roll of money clamped tightly in her little hand. Whenever she spied a Barbie she liked, she’d turn and ask her father if she had enough money to buy it. He usually said “yes,” but she kept looking, repeating the ritual over and over, searching for the perfect treasure.
A little boy wandered in across the aisle and started sorting through the Pokémon toys. He was dressed neatly but wore a jacket that looked to be a couple of sizes too small and well worn. He, too, had money in his hand, but it looked to be no more than five dollars or so. He and his father had a similar ritual, his father faintly shaking his head as the young lad touched various video games and searched his father’s eyes.
The little girl chose a beautifully dressed, glamorous doll—sure to be the envy of every little girl on the block. She suddenly stopped, watching the interchange between the little boy and his father. The boy reluctantly gave up on the video games and chose a book of stickers instead. He and his father started walking through another aisle and disappeared. The little girl paused, smiled, and put her Barbie back on the shelf. She spoke with her father and dashed over to the Pokémon games, picking up one lying on top and racing toward the registers.
I picked out my own purchases and got in line behind the little girl and her father. Then, much to the little girl’s delight, the little boy and his father got in line behind me. After the toy was paid for and bagged, the little girl handed it back to the cashier and whispered something in her ear. The cashier smiled, putting the package under the counter.
I paid for my purchases and lingered, watching the little boy come up to the cashier. She rang up his purchases and then exclaimed, “Congratulations, you are my hundredth customer today, and you win a prize!” With that, she handed the little boy the Pokémon game. He stared in disbelief—it was just what he’d wanted.
The little girl and her father were standing at the doorway watching. I saw the biggest, prettiest grin on that little girl that I’ve ever seen in my life. As she walked out the door, I followed close enough behind to hear her talk to her father. Amazed and delighted at what I’d just witnessed, I heard the father ask his daughter why she had done that. I’ll never forget what she said to him. “Nana and Papa wanted me to buy something that would make me happy…and I just did.” Then she giggled and skipped off toward their car…and I smiled deep inside.
Scripture Reading: Luke 6:38
Personal Application: Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Brainstorm ways that you can bless others today with your time, attention, service, or funds. At the end of the day, record ways you were able to give to others. In what ways did your acts of giving affect them? How did these acts affect you?
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5