During the intermission of a high school play this afternoon my wife purchased cookies the students were selling to raise funds. As she walked away she unknowingly dropped a plastic baggie containing two cookies. Just then a really little guy probably less than three years old found them. The expression on his face said, “I just found a zillion dollars.” Can you imagine the joy? Two peanut butter cookies! His father called to my wife and disregarding our protests and great despair had the little guy return them. I felt like the most selfish monster ever – an ogre. The father assured us that he had cookies for those little hands to cherish.
I love doing nice things for people and the father took us out of the process. He reminded me of how important it is to allow people to do good things for us. I’m glad he had cookies for the little guy but I felt cheated from the joy of giving. Things as simple as opening a door for someone or picking up the check when you go out to eat with others add value to our being. I remind myself of this when I object to another offering to do something nice for us. A wonderful man and his wife brought us a truckload of firewood this fall. I could have protested under the guise of being able to cut my own wood. However, the truth is it was a marvelous gift that has very much enhanced our evenings on these very cold New England evenings.
I realize that John 3:16 makes God happy. He never begrudges us Jesus. He lights us with joy when we allow Him to save us. By accepting His grace we make His day.
Written by Roger Bothwell on February 10, 2014
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org