I can't really remember now exactly how it happened. Somehow under my feet, Emma and Peter and then eventually Ryan decided that they wanted to use their allowance to buy food for the Christian Help Center's food pantry. They had overheard me talking about how the food pantry's shelves were bare. Somewhere in their minds, they decided that they should give. They looked through the grocery store coupons on Thursday and realized that they had enough money to buy food.
It was set; Friday we had a date to go grocery shopping and I would match whatever they bought.
Ryan spent $0.65 on a can of tomato soup. Then another $0.25 on bubble gum for himself!
Emma told me, "I would rather spend my money of food for those who don't have any than buy myself a toy. ". She spent $4.50.
Peter spent $2.00.
My heart was full. My children got it. It didn't come from a lecture and it didn't really even come from an example. They internalized the need that they overheard. They determined that they had the means to help. They didn't even dismiss the idea because they only had a few dollars and what could a few dollars to help. They gave and gave generously; they gave til it hurt.
3 comments:
Such a blessing that you are a part of our lives as well! (Prov 22:6 KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
that teaches me.
thank you Peter, Emma, & Ryan...
I am priviledged to work at the center and was present when you and the kids came in to donate the food items. Needless to say it touched my heart deeply and brought tears to my eyes to see these young people give all they had for others. What a lesson we can learn from them.
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