On Thursday night, the women in the church had their monthly meeting. Recently, I was on the phone with the gal who was the host and she happened to mention her high chair. I asked her if she would like mine. Eli had grown to big for it. She replied that she would indeed like to have it--that it was an answer to a desire in her heart that she hadn't even been praying for recently. It was a huge blessing to me--to get to pass on something that had in turn originally been a blessing to me. I had found the high chair at a garage sale in the two weeks before Eli was born. I realized I needed one and God had graciously provided one--for $10 at a garage sale. It was a $70 or $80 high chair. I took it home and cleaned it up and it looked awesome--it was a diamond in the rough. It always brings me joy when I get the chance to share something with someone else that had been a blessing to me.
Often I can't find anyone who wants the things that are precious to me--that are symbolic to me of God's provision for my family. I've taken to simply donating them to the local thrift store--which happens to be a favorite spot of one of my friends. I know that people find treasures there and the funds from that shop bless American Veterans. But, there's something about getting to simply give something--without any funds changing hands.
After the meeting, I called the gal to let her know what a blessing it was to get to see her home. I love getting to see family's personalities reflected in their homes. You get to know someone when you see their home. We talked a bit about the high chair and I shared with her about what a blessing it was to give it to her. She shared how she had wanted one a long time ago, but hadn't asked and it just didn't seem to be the right time. She made a wise comment that I want to remember.
She said--that sometimes there is patience required on the part of the receiver as much as it is required on the part of the giver. There is effort and waiting involved--holding onto the item and looking for the right home for it. It isn't a holding on for the sake of hoarding and not letting go. It is like flying in a holding pattern and waiting to land.
This morning my garage saling partner and I set out with the kids. When I realized that we weren't going to do anymore shopping this fall, I was a little concerned but we decided to set out one more week. What a blessing it was!
I have wanted a digital camera for the kids to play with for several years. I just thought they'd have fun with it. But, they ranged in price from $35-$60. My husband didn't think it would be wise and so we never decided to get one for them. This morning I found one for $1. It needed to be cleaned up, needed new batteries and didn't have a USB cable. So, I knew I was taking a chance. I brought it home, replaced the batteries and tried out the cords I had. Guess what? One of them works!
The camera is the Little Tikes pink camera that retails for $35. It doesn't take the greatest pictures--but the kids are having a great time with it and are excited to have it. I'm thankful I waited. I'm thankful I didn't buy one when I'd wanted one for the kids before. I'm thankful I was patient. But, most of all, I'm thankful for how God blessed us with a little camera for the kids to play with.
I'm going to try and keep in mind more often what my friend said about patience--both in receiving and giving.
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