Humbled by Giving (by Jen)

Yesterday I had Christmas with my dad's side of the family. It was a great day to spend with family and friends there. Right before we opened presents, my grandmother asked me to share about my trip to Thailand and what I will be doing there. I wasn't sure what I was going to say but just prayed that God would use my words. I knew there were some believers there but I always find it difficult to talk to my family that don't follow Christ. I wanted to tie it in with Christmas somehow also since there were lots of kids there. In a nutshell, I shared that I have been praying about this for 5 years now and knew without a doubt that God was calling me to go. I shared about what I would be doing and then shared the reason I am going has to do with Christmas. Christmas represents Jesus being born on earth to come and live for us, then die for us, then raised again for us so we can have eternal life. I want to share this same hope I have in Jesus Christ with others. I kept it short since there were all these kids waiting to open presents but felt encouraged that God had given me boldness to be clear about the reason I was going. Then Marsha, my step-mom, had asked me to lead everyone in sharing about what we are thankful for. So we went around the room and everyone shared regarding what they were thankful for. It was neat to hear people's response. We all have much to be thankful for!

Then we began opening presents. We draw names since our family has grown so much so as not to get out of hand in buying presents. What happened next though blew me away. I was sitting next to Kelly, my sister, and on the other side of me was Kyla who is about 8 years old and is my step-sisters daughter. She opened one gift and it had $10 in it. She showed me her $10 and then said "here, I want to give this to you for your trip". I told her that was so sweet but she didn't have to do do that. Kyla said "no, I want you to have it for your trip". So I hugged her with tears in my eyes and humbly took it. I looked at Kelly and we both almost lost it. Then one of the other little girls that were there, Rebecca, who is probably about the same age as Kyla and is the daughter of my step-mom's sister's girl, came and gave me $20 she had gotten to go towards my trip. Her dad and I had gone to India twice several years ago. But she wanted to give me her money also. I tell you, it was so hard to take the money from these little kids but was overwhelmed with how God was using these little ones. Then, my step-brother, Cody, who is about 21 years old and has Downs Syndrome walked over to me and gave me his little stocking that he had received with money in it. I opened it and took a hard swallow as I opened $45. I went over to Cody and said "Cody, this is a lot of money. You don't have to give me this." He started tearing up and said, "I want to. I am so proud of you and what you are doing. I know God has called you to do this. I think God is calling me to teach kids with Downs Syndrome at my church." I told him that was awesome and not to let anyone ever tell him that he can't do it and to go for it. It was a really neat moment with him. Talk about being humbled! It was so hard to take money from them, but God used these kids in incredible ways to show me that He uses even the littlest ones to be a part of what He is doing! Not all of us are called to go, but all of us can be a part of the journey no matter how little or how big! What an amazing God we serve!