“We thought you didn’t want it. There was such a look of concern on BOTH your faces!”
The couple was right. There before us, stood the most glorious multi-leveled doll-house, taller than my 4-year old. And when they whispered to us, “Would your girls like it?”, a dozen of the same thoughts ran though our minds—
“If we really sense God calling us to move to Africa in the near future, then we should start downsizing, not accumulating more.”
“We should be content with what we have.”
As soon as Cliff and I had a private moment, we each said to the other, “It’s a no for you, isn’t it?”
But in the next second, we both burst out in unison, “It’s a YES!”
The next day, when the couple with their four kids spilled into our living room to deliver the massive dream house for our girls, my 6 and 4 year old stood aside, stunned.
“This is for us?”
“Didn’t you just tell Mama yesterday you’ve outgrown your current toys? God must have heard your prayers.”
At once, tears dammed behind my eyes when I felt the Father’s heart overwhelm me. Lately, a mentor challenged me on my struggle with self-worth. “Why do you always have to cut back when it comes to yourself?” I defended my ground, but she went on, “You’re way more generous with others than you are to yourself. Can you love others as yourself?”
I wanted to argue, but there was truth in what she shared.
Yet, in my weakness, God’s grace came though, nudging me not to hold my own children to that standard of false piety or stoic asceticism but to lavish them extravagantly with His goodness.
I am learning, that while there is a place for us to live simply and lightly as pilgrims, there is also a place to receive His blessings.
The smile on their faces showed me— how great the Father’s love for us is, and how graciously, humbly and wholeheartedly we can accept it. I’m reminded, that if my Heavenly Father wants to bless my children, let me, as their parent, not stand in His way.
*Thank you Rick and Annie for loving on our family. I know, that even if we moved tomorrow, 24 hours with this gift would be a memory etched on their hearts for life. Thank you 💛