Sunday, November 19, 2006

Give In To Giving

In a society where people are getting shot over a video game, this story moved me.

About six years ago, when Brother was a baby, I had been talking to Hubby about installing a dishwasher in our kitchen. It was an old house, and didn't come with one. We had done some research and had decided we could get one for about $100 and install it ourselves. We waited for Christmas, when we knew we would probably get money from our parents.

About two weeks before Christmas, I went to check the mail and found an envelope addressed to us and from us, though I knew I didn't send it. With trembling fingers I opened it to find $200 in American Express gift checks and a note attached:

"To buy appliances"

No signature. No clue as to who sent it.

I cried.

And I still get misty when I think of it. I think of them every time I wash dishes in my beautiful dishwasher. I hope in some way they know how very much it means.

I still don't know who sent it, but whoever it was, touched our lives in a very powerful way. Too often we give with expectation. Christmas is literally steeped in this tradition. But what happens when we give without reciprocation...without recognition?

Let this inspire you...

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aw, I love those kind of stories, gives me hope in the human race :)

Anonymous said...

wow , thats really touching. We should all learn to give like that.

yerdoingitwrong said...

That's very inspiring!

Anonymous said...

Chills. All over.
And some tears too.

Anonymous said...

What an absolutely inspirng story! Thanks so very much for sharing it. I needed it.

C D said...

I've seen miracles like that -- and it is inspiring.

Thank You =)

Mama of 2 said...

I couldn't agree more. Christmas is much more than the gift giving it should be about family and giving of your heart...to those people in need.
I want to believe that I give without expectations and most of the time I do but there are times when I find myself saying what have they ever done for me. I know that's something I need to work on.
Thanks for reminding me Supermom.

Laura said...

What a terrific testimony to the grace of God. Laura

Diana said...

That was very nice of who ever gave it to you, there aren't enough people like that in this world.

Anonymous said...

We have been on the receiving end of this kind of thing many times, and it's time we started doing some of the giving. Thanks for the reminder.

Domestic Goddess said...

wow, two great stories! Thank you for sharing and inspiring.

jjofar said...

today at our school a 7th grade boy was given a new pair of shoes...size 7 1/2. when calling his mom after his name was turned in as a possible 'needs' suspect, we discovered that she had given him her old work shoes to wear when he outgrew his. she said he would never complain, and that yes they could use some assistance this season. he was practically skipping down the hall today after our principal & his secret santa presented him the shoes. we found out that his mom suffers from siezures and that he stays up all night 'on a bad night' with her when they begin. we were all counting our blessings and thankful that an insightful teacher turned in that name. 14 families were delivered thanksgiving meals today so that they will have the opportunities to proudly serve their family a meal. i am going keep this close at heart tomorrow as i venture to the grocery store to gather my supplies. i don't care how crowded it is...i will be thankful to be there.

SuperMom said...

May God richly bless that brave, selfless boy and his mother. Thanks for sharing.