What Five Dollars Can Do

I post this cautiously, but I feel like I admit enough of my failures to the internet world, so it is okay to let you rejoice with me over something I actually managed to do right!

I am not looking for a pat on the back. I'm actually hoping to challenge you (and myself) to look for every small, seemingly insignificant chance to glorify God and show others why we are "different". When I say different, I mean forget "religion" and look at what a personal relationship with Jesus Christ looks like. I know so many of you who read this overflow with generosity that it is like preaching to the choir, but I'm going to share it anyway! I'd be interested to hear if you have any similar stories to share, too.

Okay....now with all that out of the way let me set the stage. Our elementary PTO hosts a "Santa Shoppe" where kids can bring money to school and buy inexpensive gifts for their family. I filled out #2 and #3's "budget" and sent some money in with them. I also included a $5 bill in a separate envelope to give to each of their teachers with a note explaining I wanted them to use this money for kids who may not have had money sent into school. This was the email I received this morning from #2's teacher:

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. When I opened that extra envelope from you with the money for Santa Shoppe I started to tear up. In my five years of teaching, no other person has ever offered to help the kids who don’t have over the holidays. Santa Shoppe is always a tough situation for me when I have kids who were not sent in with money. I always feel terrible that they have to sit and watch the other kids shop when they can’t. What a true example of kindness to show your children. (#2) is an extraordinary young girl and through your example, will no doubt be the same through adulthood. Merry Christmas!

I cried like a baby after I read this! I wept because of the kids she spoke of. I wept because in five years no one cared enough to spare a little extra change to help someone else. Not because they wouldn't have if someone asked, but because they were too preoccupied to think about it. And, I wept at the kind words she expressed over #2, that she sees fruit in the seeds God has planted and continues to water in her heart.

And, that, my internet friends is why I decided to share this little story. To God be the glory.