We started celebrating Christmas with our family last night because part of them are heading to California to be with my son-in-law’s family. Our daughter that lives in a different city pushed hard to come and join us. Although it was not officially Christmas Eve, I made our traditional Christmas Eve meal, the crew that was leaving and the rest of us exchanged gifts, we watched the grandkids squeal for the new toys they got, and enjoyed watching as they played with “the gift” that occupied them the rest of the night. As fun and wonderful as all of that family time was, it was not the highlight of the night.  No, the highlight was THE GIFT that our 6-year-old granddaughter brought to me when she walked in the door. (Cliffhanger…you have to read on to see what it was.)

In Acts 20:17-38, Paul is pouring into Christian leaders from Ephesus. He is telling them things that he sees to be important.  Verse 36-38, “After Paul finished speaking, he knelt down and prayed with them. ³⁷ Then they all cried with great weeping as one after another hugged Paul and kissed him. ³⁸ What broke their hearts the most were his words “You will not see my face again.” Then they tearfully accompanied Paul back to the ship. With that background, take a moment and think what you do and say when you are thinking you will not see a person(s) again in this lifetime. Do you tell them what you think is really important? I believe that Paul did. Now, look at verse 35. I’ve left you an example of how you should serve and take care of those who are weak.  For we must always cherish the words of our Lord Jesus, who taught, ‘Giving brings a far greater blessing than receiving.”

Back to my story…my granddaughter runs into the house…literally.  “ShoSho! ShoSho! I have something for you! I have this money for the children in Kenya. It’s enough to feed a child for one month and enough to feed another one for half a month.” She handed me $15. $15…to many of us reading this, that is not a lot of money, but to her, my 6-year-old granddaughter it was a lot.  In fact, it was her money that she recently received for her birthday. I can’t do this next part justice, so I asked my daughter if I could use the text she just typed out. Here you go –

“We’ve been talking about the importance of loving like Jesus and helping those who don’t have as much as we do. We have also discussed how incredibly blessed we are compared to so many not just in our city but around the world.

Yesterday she earned some chore money (she gets a quarter per chore she does on her chart and occasionally more for a “special chore” that’s not on her chart) After earning the money, she went to her piggy bank and grabbed $15 dollars cash she had been saving. She came to me and asked to give it to the poor. She said she had everything she needed, and others didn’t. We discussed different things and she ended up deciding to give it to Kenya Widows and Orphans (KWO Ministries) because that amount of money will feed one child for an entire month and a half. She is so excited about this. The joy and pureness of blessing others is evident when she realized how much that amount of money can do.

So last night, right when we got to my parents for dinner, she ran to my mom first thing with her money (Mom is on the board for this organization) and asked her to give it to a child so that they could eat for a month. She also wanted another child to be able to eat for a half of month.

I explained the value of the amount of the $15 and what it could buy her if she spent it. She told me another kid eating was more important than spending it herself 

We are so proud of her!! She’s wanting to love like Jesus and help the poor. Had to brag on her! 💖💖💖”

Is this what Jesus meant in Matthew 19:14-15? ¹⁴ Jesus overheard them and said, “I want little children to come to me, so never interfere with them when they want to come, for heaven’s kingdom realm is composed of beloved ones like these! Listen to this truth: No one will enter the kingdom realm of heaven unless he becomes like one of these!” ¹⁵ Then he laid his hands on each of them and went on his way.

As we go through this last-minute frenzy of getting ready for Christmas, I want us to take a minute and really think of the reason we are in this season. My granddaughter understands it. It is not about the presents. It is about HIS PRESENCE. His presence in our daily walk, not just this time of year, but throughout the year.

Blessings – Cherie

For more information on KWO Ministries check out this link: Kenya Widows and Orphans Ministries