I know it’s May, but can I take you back to Christmas morning at our house?
I want to prove a point.
It was Christmas morning, there were presents underneath the tree ready to be opened. Last year’s theme was “experiences,” and we all knew (except for Kara, my daughter) that her present would be opened last because we knew she would love it the most. It was set of tickets to the play that she’s being begging to go to. It fit the theme perfectly so Maria (mom) got online and purchased it. It took her over 6 hours. We wrapped it in a large box so she would have no idea it was set of tickets in an envelope underneath all the packing.
Kara’s reaction was priceless. She opened the box, she took out all the packing, found the envelope and opened it. She quickly realized what it was and let out an ear-piercing scream. Screams of jubilee that echoed throughout the house – I’m sure our neighbors heard it too. Then, she screamed again. Then…she threw her head down on the pillow on her lap and began to cry. She cried, she laughed, and she screamed some more. It was a priceless moment for all of us.
As we were busy capturing her reaction on video, I wish we would have also captured Maria’s reaction on video too. Her smile was huge, she couldn’t stop giggling when Kara was opening it, and when Kara cried, she cried too. She told me after that there’s nothing that beats the joy of giving! There’s nothing that beats the joy of giving a gift so good that it brings tears.
See my point?
Being the giver of the gift is better. Or it can be said something like this…
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” –Acts 20:35
For Kara, it was just a tickets to the dumb play. Can you imagine the screams of jubilee knowing that a child will no longer die from waterborne diseases? Can you imagine the screams of jubilee knowing that from now on the access to clean water is right there at your fingertips?
Now can you see the smile on your face knowing that you made this possible? I can see it, it’s priceless!!!
Hanju Lee ran the OC Marathon as part of Newsong Team World Vision. Their team set a fundraising record, bringing in over $67,000 (and counting) to provide clean water for kids in Africa. Thanks to all who ran and all who supported them – it’s not too late to join the team and make a donation!
