September 10, 2012
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Pure Giving
Today at the children’s home I received a bunch of random little things from my kids, with none of them being connected to the other. At dinner one of the 2nd grade girls ran to get me a cup of water when she saw I was going to sit at her table. While eating one of the junior high boys came to me and gave me a drink mix pack he had gotten (random!). After dinner a boy who had a bad outburst the last time I was at the home came to me and apologized for what he did. After I gave him a hug he smiled and handed me a small pack of garlic crackers. Later in the evening while teaching in one of the boys’ rooms, a younger elementary boy slipped into the room and without a word set a piece of gum in front of me before slipping back out. So random! And cute. =)
Today was definitely an exception. I don’t usually receive so many things in one visit. But I do treasure the small things the kids will do for me now and then. There is a purity in their giving.
I did similar things when I was little. At night now and then, after getting ready for bed, I would go into my parents’ bedroom and pull back their bed covers for them. And I would put a nickel or a quarter or whatever small change I had onto their lampstands on either sides of their bed. I don’t know why I did those things looking back, but I know my actions were pure. My mom still remembers those times well.
I want that pure, childlike heart again. A heart that will do spontaneous things for others based on a simple, pure love… without expecting anything whatsoever in return. I never expected my parents to say thank you for those little things I did for them, and I know my kids aren’t needing or expecting a thank you from me either when they do little things for me. That’s how pure the love is… no expectation or entitlement whatsoever… they are satisfied simply in showing the love. And their love is so beautiful it makes me smile whenever I think about it. =)
Bless us with such pure love, Lord!
