Isn't this one of the most beautiful faces you've ever seen? It sure is one of mine! And I don't even know her name.
Foolishly, vainly, I thought I was going to sow seeds of hope. And God laughed.
She came for the snacks and because her friends were coming. We didn't even speak the same language, and my oh-so sophisticated adult brain was discouraged by that.
And then LuAnn, my incredible ministering friend, told me it didn't matter and showed me the picture. Despite my concerns that "Pretty in Pink" couldn't even read the book I'd given her, LuAnn kept assuring me that I'd given her hope.
A book with lots of words in a foreign language to her. A story she couldn't understand when I read it. And hardly any pictures. How could I have possibly have given her hope?
Then Pretty in Pink and LuAnn gave me what I'd gone to give. LuAnn said for the children in poverty that her ministry serves owning a book brings status and hope for a better future. Owning a book in English gives them a reason to learn their new country's language.
My gift seemed feeble and self-righteous. But God looked beyond my weakness to see a heart longing to serve and give. And He blessed His children.
What works for me is to remember it's frequently not about the gift at all; it's about the giving. I'll probably never know the full impact an English book about a couple of bunnies has on Pretty in Pink. She'll never know the awesome gift of hope she gave me. God smiles when His children choose to give.
I'm linking this post to Giving Up on Perfect and Coffee for Your Heart.
Foolishly, vainly, I thought I was going to sow seeds of hope. And God laughed.
She came for the snacks and because her friends were coming. We didn't even speak the same language, and my oh-so sophisticated adult brain was discouraged by that.
And then LuAnn, my incredible ministering friend, told me it didn't matter and showed me the picture. Despite my concerns that "Pretty in Pink" couldn't even read the book I'd given her, LuAnn kept assuring me that I'd given her hope.
A book with lots of words in a foreign language to her. A story she couldn't understand when I read it. And hardly any pictures. How could I have possibly have given her hope?
Then Pretty in Pink and LuAnn gave me what I'd gone to give. LuAnn said for the children in poverty that her ministry serves owning a book brings status and hope for a better future. Owning a book in English gives them a reason to learn their new country's language.
My gift seemed feeble and self-righteous. But God looked beyond my weakness to see a heart longing to serve and give. And He blessed His children.
What works for me is to remember it's frequently not about the gift at all; it's about the giving. I'll probably never know the full impact an English book about a couple of bunnies has on Pretty in Pink. She'll never know the awesome gift of hope she gave me. God smiles when His children choose to give.
I'm linking this post to Giving Up on Perfect and Coffee for Your Heart.
This was communion! Crackers, juice and sharing the love of Jesus with each other.
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