Sacrifice

He was sitting with a family friend in big church when he spied a Ring Pop in her bag.
Head tilted up, eyes on hers…he whispered:  “Ms. Tara, can I have that Ring Pop?”
“After church is over,” she promised.

We sing our songs, read our readings, pray.
And the ushers begin to take up offering.

I hear my name and turn to see his big, pleading eyes.
“Do you have my offering?”
Oh, no…I forgot.
Shaking my head, I see him look at her.
She digs in her bag, searching for a coin – maybe two.
But not even a stray penny…

And so she hands him the Ring Pop and says,
“Do you want to give this?
Offering is a sacrifice, giving up something you really want.
And you really want this, don’t you?”

And he nods and carefully places it in the plate before him.

“Thank you” I mouth to her.
And as I turn back around, my eyes welled up.
What a beautiful lesson – from him and from her.

(I am so grateful for a wonderful church family. )

 

 

 

 

 

**Linking up with Heather‘s Just Write.**

7 Responses to Sacrifice
  1. Felicia
    January 10, 2012 | 2:17 pm

    Crying…

    What a blessing to have a friend that would teach such an important lesson in a way only a child could truly grasp.

  2. DesignHER Momma
    January 10, 2012 | 2:18 pm

    oh this is so sweet and so very awesome! I love this lesson, and it will stick with me.

  3. Jil
    January 10, 2012 | 4:13 pm

    So impressed that he would do that at such a young age!! You can really be proud of the way you’ve raised him! And such a wonderful friend! Loved that she would do this!!

  4. Tricia
    January 11, 2012 | 3:05 pm

    So beautiful. Love moments like this. That’s one special family you have.

  5. punkinmama
    January 11, 2012 | 3:10 pm

    Wow, all of our kids need other adults in their lives to help teach lessons in such a powerful way! That’s awesome. And inspires me to try better to make an impact on other kids too (not just my own).

  6. nicole
    January 13, 2012 | 9:50 am

    Oh man, what a lesson! I don’t think I would have thought of that, or that my kids would have gone along with that. Awesome!

  7. Christy
    January 28, 2012 | 9:23 am

    Gah! I know better than to read your blogs where I can’t cry!!!!