"No, it's not my favorite."
Tonight my 10 year old son decided he wanted to round up some of his things to give to "the poor." This isn't unusual for Jonathan. His gift of compassion for the poor has been tangible since he was a pre-schooler.
What always leaves me speechless though is what he wants to give away. Tonight he went to his favorite lamp: a papermache' Saturn. Jonathan loves the planets and this is truly one of his treasures. We get to this point and I'm stumped. I purge the kids toys and clothes quarterly and take things over to the community thrift store, so what is left are things they truly use and enjoy.
But I do not possess his gift. How do I cultivate and protect a heart that is more generous than mine? Jonathan truly does not care about things. He never has. Even his prize iMac is a means to an end--he wants to make movies to rent or sell and raise money to help the poor.
This time I suggested that he consider other toys. "This remote-controlled truck?" I ask. "No." But not because he likes it too much or doesn't want to part with it. "No, it doesn't work as well as it used to and it's not right to give things to the poor that aren't your best."
"Okay," I continue, "how about this set of lincoln logs." "No," he says, "it's not my favorite."
Thirty minutes later Jonathan has accumulated a stack of favorites: clothes, toys, computer CDs, beautiful books. Tonight I have to think and pray about what to allow him to give away and what to suggest he keep and why. He'll ask. And I want to make sure my answer strenthens (as opposed to stagnates) his gifts and leaves unsoiled a spirit that I have so very much to learn from.
What always leaves me speechless though is what he wants to give away. Tonight he went to his favorite lamp: a papermache' Saturn. Jonathan loves the planets and this is truly one of his treasures. We get to this point and I'm stumped. I purge the kids toys and clothes quarterly and take things over to the community thrift store, so what is left are things they truly use and enjoy.
But I do not possess his gift. How do I cultivate and protect a heart that is more generous than mine? Jonathan truly does not care about things. He never has. Even his prize iMac is a means to an end--he wants to make movies to rent or sell and raise money to help the poor.
This time I suggested that he consider other toys. "This remote-controlled truck?" I ask. "No." But not because he likes it too much or doesn't want to part with it. "No, it doesn't work as well as it used to and it's not right to give things to the poor that aren't your best."
"Okay," I continue, "how about this set of lincoln logs." "No," he says, "it's not my favorite."
Thirty minutes later Jonathan has accumulated a stack of favorites: clothes, toys, computer CDs, beautiful books. Tonight I have to think and pray about what to allow him to give away and what to suggest he keep and why. He'll ask. And I want to make sure my answer strenthens (as opposed to stagnates) his gifts and leaves unsoiled a spirit that I have so very much to learn from.
posted by alicia britt chole at
7:30 PM
3 Comments:
I miss Jonathan! You're right we can learn so much from hearts like his.
Ruthie, tonight Jonathan and Keona were offering suggestions of whom could watch them tomorrow night if Bear and I go on a date. They wanted you and Auntie Wawa (Stefa). Ahhh, receive a hug from Missouri :-)
Okay, wait a sec...let me take this in:
Alicia...speechless...!?!
Just kiddin'! I can SO relate! Thank you for putting it so well: "I want to make sure my answer strengthens... and leaves unsoiled a spirit that I have so very much to learn from.
Yes, exactly! Ooh, I'm gonna cry now... -lj
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