When our daughter Cristi was just 8 years old this life changing event taught us a lesson on giving.
Mari, a Tzental Indian girl lived with us in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico. .One day she invited us to go to her house because she hadn’t seen her family for quite some time. Mari’s family was large, she is one of 9 children.
The problem was that Mari is from a small village located a few hours from our home near Tenejapa, Chiapas. Since it was Christmas season we also decided to give her younger siblings some of Cristi’s old toys .
After driving on some rough roads to get to her village we parked the truck and walked on a trail another 15 minutes to get to her house.
When we entered her home we immediately noticed the dirt floors, a place to cook in the middle of the room and chickens running around inside the makeshift home.
One of Mari’s very younger sisters, Isabel, began playing with our daughter Cristi.
Cristi always carried her favorite stuffed animal with her. Little Isabel was especially interested in the stuffed bear since it also was loaded with build-a-bear extras. Isabel’s parents obviously couldn’t afford to get her one like this.
Cristi decided to give Isabel her favorite stuffed animal. In fact, she hardly hesitated before letting me know,
“Daddy, Can I give Isabel my stuffed animal?”
Being the father that I am… and also being preoccupied with other things, I told her that she could.
Cristi left to give little Isabel her stuffed animal.
Later, I asked Cristi where her build-a-bear was. My wife, Ana quickly replied,
“You told her she could give it away!”
To which I naively explained,
“I did?
I thought she was giving away a little stuffed toy, not her favorite stuffed animal!”
Although the large stuffed animal meant a lot to our daughter it was a VERY special gift for little Isabel.
We’ve always wanted to teach our daughter the importance of giving, but that day she taught us all a lesson.
That little build a-bear meant a lot to Cristi, but she gave it because she knew Isabel would never have the opportunity to have such an extravagant gift.
Of course, little Isabel was very thankful after my daughter Cristi gave her very best.
I can think of someone else who gave us His very best.
God Gave us His Son, Jesus Christ. He died on the cross and rose from the dead so that we can be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life. In fact, He died for all the lost people in the World who have never had the opportunity to experience his costly gift.
As missionaries we enjoy new life in Jesus and live to share that gift. That’s why we team up with committed Christians like you who want to obey Christ’s great commission to go into all the World and share the good news with everyone.
Can you think of an instance when you gave sacrificially to someone who needed a special gift?
I welcome your comments.