HSBC Coffeebreak

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7

I love God's little reminders that He sends via Christian radio. As I listened one morning while getting ready for my day, I heard the great story of Chad. Chad is 8 years old, and he doesn't realize he's not going to win the Mr. Congeniality Award at his school. He walks to and from school alone, greets the kids and teachers with a happy "good morning" or "have a great day", and every day his mom prays that one day he'll return home with some friends. But Chad is different and she knows it; she just wishes popularity was based on kindness.

One day, Chad bounds in and announces that he's going to make a Valentine for every child in his class. Valentine's Day is just 6 weeks away, so this seemed a daunting task to his mom. Without discouraging Chad, she hoped he'd soon forget, because it would take so much work and dedication, and she was sure Chad wouldn't get many in return. "How about if we make heart sugar cookies instead, and we can frost them and you can lick the bowl?" Or "why don't we bake cupcakes with red frosting?" "No, mom, I'm going to make a Valentine for every friend in my class, and I counted and there are 32. Can we go get our supplies tonight?"

She thought of every way to change his mind because she couldn't bear to think of how hurt he would feel when he didn’t get a Valentine from everyone. But he persisted, and every night they worked on a few together. "Oh mom, this one will be perfect for Lily! And I can't wait to see the look on Jeff's face when he gets this one." Her heart just sank.

The night before Valentine's Day, they packaged up the homemade cards and that morning, Chad left for school with a bigger bounce in his step than ever before. "Bye mom! You can bet I'll be smiling when I get home from school tonight! Have a great day!"

Once Chad left, she baked his favorite cookies so they'd make him feel better after this heartbreaking day. The hours went by so slowly, and finally Chad came running through the door. "How was your day Chad? I baked your favorite cookies and they're still warm." Chad looked happier than she'd ever seen him, with his head in the clouds. Then he said "Not one, not even one mom." Her heart sunk to her toes. And then he said "I didn’t miss even one, mom. Every person got a Valentine from me today."

I know that sometimes I get caught up in "what's in it for me?" If I go out and do that for her, what will she do for me? I have committed my life to serving God, but sometimes I feel like God should be serving me. Isn't it true that there is more joy in giving, than there is in receiving? Anytime that little devilish thought crosses my mind about what I might get in return----I simply think of Chad, and "not even one."

Written by
Shelley Olson