"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me..." (Matthew25:35-36)
For years I think my kids thought we were poor. All their friends had bigger houses, newer electronics, funner vacations, more stuff. We lived in a community of plenty, and it was easy to think we had little. I think I may have gotten caught in the envy trap more than once, but I have always recognized that we are not poor, and in reality have much...more than we need or deserve. But it's hard not to play the comparison game. And play it we (and they) did.
Fast forward a couple of moves and several schools. This year my kids go to our local public school where I believe 60% of the students receive free or subsidized lunches. (Don't quote me on that number, but I know it's a high percentage) None of their friends live in a 2 story home. In fact, all of them live in either a mobile home or an apartment. Friends have come to our house and marveled at what we consider an average, not elaborate, home. (Don't get me wrong, it's a very nice house, and I really like it. It's pretty, and stylish, and spacious, and the nicest house I've ever lived in). I think maybe they are starting to realize that they have much. The man-child, I think, would still like more stuff, but he says he'd be fine in a smaller house. (This from the boy who complained at how small his room was for the first 6 months we lived here) (But that's a story for another blog.)
A few months ago, Brianna came home from a friend's house where she had spent the afternoon and evening. She was hungry, and made some food for herself. And she asked me, "Mom, how come when I go to someone else's house they never give me food? I always give my friends food when they come over." I answered that it was possible that they didn't have any food, or any extra food, at their house.
She's had friends over to spend the afternoon or evening, and sometimes spend the night. Before they head out to the mall or a basketball game at school, or whatever, I will notice that the friend is wearing something of Brianna's. I said to one of them once, "You were wearing clothes when you came over, weren't you?" The girls both laughed and Brianna said, "It's because I've got style..." but more than once I've seen a girl walk out of our house wearing something of my daughter's, knowing I won't be seeing it again. While I consider the cost, Brianna doesn't think much of it at all. Perhaps she realizes that she's got plenty more clothes, or she knows that her parents will supply all her needs (and even a few wants now and then).
At the end of January Matt came home and asked Mark (I was out of town) if a friend could come and spend the weekend with us, because he needed a place to stay. Mark agreed, as long as it was okay with the parent. As the story unfolded we found out that Dennis was living by himself in a trailer. His mom was living in another trailer with his sister (there wasn't enough space for him there), and they were getting ready to move. His mom said she'd be grateful if Dennis could stay with us for a few days while they got settled. After a few days she said her heat wasn't hooked up yet, and could he stay a little longer.
Matt was thrilled to have the "little brother" he always wanted (Dennis is Brianna's age), and the two boys played a lot of video games in the basement. Dennis stayed with us for six weeks, until mid-March when we headed to Connecticut for my niece's wedding, and we told his mom Dennis couldn't stay alone in our house for 4 days.
My kids are good at offering food, clothing and shelter to "the least of these," and I don't think they even think about it, while I wonder if we have enough food for an extra unplanned mouth at dinner...but God always supplies enough. One evening about a month ago I sat down to dinner with 5 teenagers (Mark was at rehearsal). I don't think there were leftovers, but I'm pretty sure everyone had what they wanted. We have plenty of clothes to have some permanently borrowed occasionally (and I can stop thinking, "but that cost x and you just gave it away"), and we have a house with a guest room and a comfortable bed. Through my kids, God is teaching me how to do it unto Him. And since it's all His to begin with, I'm sure there'll always be enough.
Make no mistake, this generosity is something my kids are teaching me. (Or rather, God is teaching me through my kids.) I'm sure there's plenty more to teach. For now, I'm just trying to be ready to put another place at the table.
