More Than It Seems

What do you see when you look at this photo?

A bunch of dandelions? Wilted weeds?
You wouldn't be wrong.

But do you know what I see?
I see affection. I see happy faces and full hearts. I see hope-filled generosity.
I see sixteen sweet, little faces I've had the pleasure of spending the year with.

This bunch of dandelions was given to me, one-by-one, in the span of about three minutes by my preschoolers this week. These glorious, golden flowers beg to be picked by little hands this time of year. And pick them they did!

But do you know what's amazing about children at this age? They find something so marvelous, so wonderful, and they instantly know they have to share it with someone. They are utterly compelled to run and find the nearest person of their affection and bestow their magnificent treasure on that person. "This is for you!" they proclaim, grinning silly and wide. 
I didn't observe a single child search the playground for a dandelion and proceed to shove it into his pocket to save for himself. Those who wanted to hang on to their precious finds had big plans for them: "I'm giving this to my mom."  

Children don't look at dandelions and merely see weeds. 
They see beautiful potential for blessing. 
They think, "What a lovely treasure! Who can I share this with?"

And when I received this gift, all in a crumpled bunch, I didn't see dandelions either. 
I saw precious hearts.
Generous spirits.
Sweet relationships.
Faith-filled trust, knowing that I would receive the small gift with appropriate glee and genuine thanks.

In a similar way, we shouldn't make light of our small gifts to God. It's all too easy to believe the worldly message that "bigger must be better." (Try telling that to Texas! :) )

But that's not true of our giving to God. We should give what we are able, whether small or great. It's easy to think, "My small gift won't make any difference. It won't matter." But that's not true. It does matter!

God looks at our hearts and at our ability to give. And He desires to be proud of our giving, no matter how great or small the world tells us it is.

We don't give because God "needs" our contribution, be it time, money, talents, or abilities. 
We give in order to honor and love Him. Whether large or small, we give to worship God and thank Him for all that He is, and has done, and is yet to do!

me and brother

When you give to AIM, on my behalf, you're actually giving to the Lord. You're giving to the eternal Kingdom that He is building in Uganda.

Guess who this bouquet was going inside to.

And that's no small gift. 















(For more information on how to give toward my future ministry in Uganda, please click here)