Lessons From Jack!
It happened a few Sundays ago between services. Jack, one of our youth
handed me a St. Louis Cardinals cap. He had a big grin on his face as he
handed me this special edition—with Redbird Rookies being featured on
the side complete with autographs on the front bill. I looked it over and
admired the cap and then handed it back to him. He said, “It’s yours! I
want to give it to you!” I couldn’t believe it! Jack was giving the cap to
me!
I later learned from his mother that immediately when Jack found the cap
he said: “I’ve got to give this to the pastor!” He knew the cap was special
and he knew how much I love the Cardinals. And so he gave something of
value away to someone else who would prize it even more!
I am deeply humbled by Jack’s generosity. The cap has been added to the
Cardinal Shrine in my office. As I admire it, I admire more the one who
gave it. It will always remind me of generosity in its simplest ways. Here
are a few lessons I learned from Jack that day —
*A generous spirit likes giving away things of value.
*Giving in its purest form has no expectations of return.
*The act of giving can really be fun.
*Children set great examples about giving with the right attitude.
*It is a humbling experience to be on the receiving end. It takes more
grace to receive than to give.
*When you receive, it makes you want to give more!
Thanks Jack!
--Bob