The Little Blue Care Bear

I have a collection of knick knacks (I know I sound like an old lady) that I can’t seem to discard because each one holds a special memory to me. I don’t especially like the idea of knick-knacks, they are dust collectors, they are small, they can be easily broken, etc.  but, each one that I have was given to me by someone special for a specific reason…and they hold a special place In my heart.

In my parent’s home there is a very special little memento.  For the last 25 years when I have visited my parents I have always found a very precious little Care Bear that proudly sits on my dad’s nightstand.  It was given to him on the occasion of his 50^th birthday by my daughter Kellie.  She was four years old at the time and that was her very precious and sacrificial gift to her grandpa.

I remember the evening so clearly.  We were celebrating my dad’s birthday at my house.  We had everyone over for dinner, and traditionally I made cioppino.  For my dad’s 50^th birthday gift we all went in together and purchased him a tiger eye ring.  After we sang “Happy Birthday” and had our cake, Dad opened his one gift from all of us.  I will never forget the disappointed look on Kellie’s face when she asked, “Grandpa, is that all you got, just one present?”  I remember my dad smiling and saying, “Yes, it is a very nice gift.” 

I don’t think anyone noticed when Kellie slipped away until a few moments later when she returned with a little gift that she managed to wrap with all the love, paper, and tape that a 4-year old could muster.  We all watched as she presented her favorite Care Bear to her grandpa so he could have more than just one gift.

As I was remembering this event I couldn’t help but think that the Lord must treasure the gifts that we lovingly offer, even if the gift itself is not the biggest, most expensive, or most useful to Him.  I thought of the widow and her two mites and how the Lord said she gave more than the others that had given out of their abundance while she gave all she had.  Certainly God didn't NEED her 2 mites, but He appreciated them all the more because of the love, dedication, and sacrifice with which she gave them.

 “And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.  And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.”  Luke 21:1-4

While I know these verses deal with monetary giving,  I thought also of the other things we give to God…our time, our service, our dedication, and I pondered these questions… are we giving God our all, or our spare time?  Are we serving Him when it is convenient, or because serving Him means more than perhaps other things that may be for our own pleasure?  Are we dedicated to going to church, having daily devotions and prayer time – or do those things only fit in after our dedication to job, hobbies, and activities with friends?

I would love to be the child that realizes that there should be more to give …and the one that is willing to give all, however little that may be, to please my Heavenly Father…wouldn’t you?  

Have a wonderful day!