on being truly thankful

The timer buzzes and I call everyone in to gather around the table. I hear giggles and feet scampering to sit down and little voices asking what we are having to eat. 

I pour the hot soup into bowls and begin to butter some bread, placing them each in front of my waiting family. 

We gather 'round and speak words of thanksgiving, just like we have hundreds of times before. But on this night, it was different. 

As I sat there speaking my words of grace, I was thanking God not only for the food in front of me, but the food that filled my fridge to capacity. The variety of healthy options in the fruits and vegetables that filled those shelves and the counter space in my kitchen. I thanked Him for not ever having to worry about where the next meal for my children was going to come from. I thanked Him for the shelter in which we sit comfortably in day in and day out and enjoy these healthy meals from. And while I am thanking Him for these things, I can't help but think of a little boy, many miles from here, whose life is so very different. 

::

It's been 13 months since I took that step of faith and finally did something I knew I was meant to do for years! My eyes scanned that table at the many faces of children needing someone to show them love. How could I choose just one? 

My gaze finally settled on the sad eyes of a little boy, the same age as my Emma. I picked up his card, read a little about him, and committed to sponsoring this beautiful child.

For months my monies went to him and I never heard anything of how he was doing or how God was blessing him or his family.

For months we prayed for him {and still do} without ever really knowing if our prayers were being answered. 

We gave in faith.

We prayed in faith.

And in faith, we received.

Last month we received our first letter of exactly how our little boy has been doing. A humbling letter. A letter that touched me more than I think he or his translator, or even I, ever thought would! 

In this simple, but powerful, note, he tells us that his favorite meal is rice with beans and vegetables. His house is made of mud and grass. He loves Pigs and the color green. And he prays for us. For me! 

I am, through Christ and only through Christ, helping to make a difference in a little boys life hundreds of miles from here. And he, in turn, is helping to make a difference in mine as well. 

I can honestly say that since receiving that letter, I look at a lot of things differently. I am more thankful for this small home than I was a year ago. I am more thankful for the food we have available on a regular basis and in a variety of choices. I am more thankful for the clothes I wear and the car I drive. I do not worry about things that are insignificant, but more about people and how I can make a positive, lasting, impression on their lives, and a positive, encouraging, impression in the lives of my children.

It's amazing to me how I can do something so small for someone who has very little and in return be the one who is receiving so much! It is only God! He amazes me everyday. The closer I grow with Him and in Him, the more I realize how truly amazing He is and how much He is working in me and through me! He knew all along I needed to sponsor that child, not only for that child's sake, but for mine!

::

I kiss my little ones foreheads good night and we bow our heads in prayer. Each of us so very thankful for the life of a little boy living many miles away!

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ ~ Matthew 25:40