Three days ago I posted, "and they sold what they had", where someone, for whom it cost much, gave much to meet the need of someone they didn't know.
I was thinking afterwards, before Vania talked to our neighbour, how should she approach this with them?
I mean, it's not just like taking over some food, or taking over some clothes. How do you offer someone several thousand dollars and say, someone from our church really felt led to help you pay this bill? Would she even take it? Vania and I talked at length about it and we worked out the conversation in our head, and so we came up with stuff like, "you know, there's no strings attached..." and other comments like that.
But here's the deal, when the time came, Vania just said, "I don't know how you'll feel about this but friends of ours from our church wanted to do this for you"
She went quiet, eyes fixed on Vania and then the tears came...
I have a feeling that no sermon on God's love and providence will ever impact this woman's life like this and other acts of love by the Christians that have come into relationship with her over this last year. Many she has yet to meet. I'm not a prophet, but I feel deep in my soul, like she's slowly embracing God, without even knowing what's really happening. It's such an incredible privilege to be a part of these moments.
Posted by edGreat stuff Ed - love to hear those kinds of stories!
Posted by: HamoI got to play Santa Claus yesterday. A family asked me to give an envelope of cash to a needy family in the church, and they wanted to remain anonymous. That's the best kind of giving, with no recognition or even tax reciepts!
Posted by: BrianI like that too. I often wonder about the tax receipt thing. I have wanted to and think I will do that this year. Whatever money I get back because of the tax receipts for giving, I will give away. Giving so I can get a break on my taxes can become a stumbling block to real giving. So, my opinion, and it's only my opinion, why not give away whatever you get back from these tax receipts, I think I'll post about that soon.
Posted by: ed