“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” Corinthians 9:11

My youngest is 5. He is such a sweet and giving child. I recently received a note from a parent of a fellow student in his preschool class, telling me how grateful she is that he is so kind to her son who has autism. He doesn’t have many friends, she said, but Jack goes out of his way to make him feel cared about.

I praise God for this. It’s all Him. I think the Lord is working in His young heart because his father and I have been very intentional in telling Him about God’s love and how important it is to love the Lord and to love people. Not that we by any means have this down perfectly. My husband and I are still learning this same lesson in our 40s! Let me give an example.

Over the summer, we make a few visits to the Cincinnati Zoo, it’s one of our favorite vacation destinations. We typically go in the mornings and once we get off the Interstate, we always see a lady holding a sign for help or food.

My son was very concerned about her and so we decided to feed her and pray for her. Every time we go to the zoo, we bring an extra breakfast sandwich.

Iv have to admit on this particular morning I was feeling good about the gesture. You feel good knowing you are making a positive difference in someone’s day. Well, God wanted me to give my heart a challenge that day, apparently.

We continued driving toward the zoo. On the sidewalk up ahead I saw a gentleman with a sign asking for help. We didn’t have any more breakfast sandwiches but,the Spirit reminded me that I had a little bit of cash on me.

“No,” I said, in my head. “We might need a drink later, I’m saving that.” 

I felt a tug on my heart.

Still, I refused. And thought: “If Jack mentions you have money to give, I’ll give it. Otherwise, no.” Now I was sort of cheating because Jack had no clue I had cash on me. At his age it would be rare if he’d think of that. HA!

Jack finally caught sight of the man with his sign. “We have to help him,” he said.

“We don’t have any more sandwiches,” I explained.

“You have money, give him that,” Jack chimed.

Oh boy! I knew then, that God had been speaking to me for sure! At that moment my greediness melted away and I wanted to give the man what I had. I grabbed my purse and rolled down my window. The man with the sign and tattered clothes was so grateful. We also prayed for him as we drove away and I thanked God for reminding me the importance of having a giving heart.