Nineteen years ago, in early December, I was driving and praying. I prayed a simple prayer that millions of moms have prayed over the years. “Lord, help my kids understand how important it is to give this Christmas,” or something along that line. I was not specific; I figured God got my drift. At that point we had been missionaries with World Impact for eleven or so years. We were used to being dependent upon people giving toward our mission, of course knowing it comes from the Lord moving in other’s hearts and minds to give. But it is still not always easy.
Two days after that prayer, the day after we decorated our home for Christmas, I came home with my youngest kiddo to find our house had been broken into.
Nothing of mine was taken; everything of value from my room was laid in a pile on my bed. It was not a big pile and honestly not too valuable. But everything of value that belonged to our kids was taken, including the money our daughter had hidden in a secret compartment in her desk. Now remember we are missionaries and we (at least at that time) did not have very much to live on, not much left over for extras. Also at the time, our home insurance did not cover our loss.
Sadly we have had other things stolen over the years; it is a part of living where we live. Hard times cause people to make poor choices.
My husband Andy and I were heartbroken. Our kids were very gracious and never complained that they did not have what other kids had. So this happening to them broke our hearts. On a side note, I do not think anyone in our family felt unnerved by the break-in—it was the loss that frustrated us.
The next day at school when their friends heard what happened, they took up an offering. They gave their own money to help their friends replace what they lost. Now, my prayer came back to me, and I knew other moms had prayed the same for their kids. Ironically both sets of kids understood the importance of giving that Christmas and I believe both were blessed.
I have seen my kids give to others in their peer groups who needed to buy college books or a new pair of sneakers. Andy and I try to never hesitate to give when we have the opportunity to help others out with what we have. Giving begets giving. We have learned how to give, because we had to learn how to receive. For me, giving is easier!
Those of us who are dependent upon others’ prayers and financial support to continue our mission honor those who give. We follow the call on our life that the Lord has placed there. For some, the call is supporting missions, for others it is receiving in order to do the mission. We are inter-dependent, we are the Body of Christ, and it is our testimony to the world!
Read more from our Giving and Thankfulness series.