The Gift of a Sticker

Monday night, we went out to eat with Scott’s family.  After dinner, I gave Mary a page of stickers of the 5o states.  She thoroughly enjoys stickers and usually puts them on her hands and arms or on paper.  This time, she peeled off the first sticker and cheerfully put it on my hand and then peeled off one for her hand.  What a treasured, unexpected gift.  My sticker represented the state of Louisiana.  We told Mary that Granddad was born in Louisiana.  Arkansas was Mary’s choice for her first sticker, the place where her friend Caroline was born.

The stickers were a gift to Mary with no strings attached.  I didn’t expect her or ask her to share one with me, so it was a sweet gift from her.  Once again, God brought to mind why we need to learn from and be like children.  God must smile and be pleased when we willingly offer back to Him the gifts, talents, and resources that He has blessed us with and then gratefully and happily share them with His children. 

This season is a good reminder to thank God for the love and gifts he has blessed us with and then look for ways to share them with others, especially when they are not expecting it.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14