Setting: Small town skating rink. Year: 1985. Day: Fri.. – Okay, the year was not 1985; it was actually 2017, but now you have a mental picture of people skating in 80’s attire, so let’s stick with that. My friends and I went skating on an almost fall Friday in October; we had been at the skating rink for maybe an hour when we had decided to take a rest- (most likely to rest our dignity). I noticed an older man wearing a veteran’s hat, sitting across the room. My mom had always told me it was important to thank veterans whenever you had a chance; so whether out of obligation, habit, or God engineering opportunities, most likely the latter, I went up to the man to give my thanks.
As I walked up, I took into account his appearance. His black-turning-grey-beard, his glasses. I couldn’t tell if he was shorter, though by his build he may have been. He wore a black jacket, jeans, and along with his veteran’s hat, what appeared to be a woman’s cross necklace. After delivering my message, I had to ask about the necklace, for its not everyday that one sees a man who had been in wars wearing a piece like that. He proceeded to tell me about his wife Cinnamon. She was a beautiful woman, he said, and one that pushed him to be a better person. She followed God, and the necklace was hers. She had just passed away that July, and he missed her a lot. He began to share with me about other parts of his and her life, and before I knew what was happening I began to share 1 John 1:9 with him.
One thing that amazed me about this great man was his heart for truth and ear for the words of the gospel. He began to ask questions about faith and knowing the assurance of this faith in Christ, and the Holy Spirit began to speak through me on the subjects of such things. Funny thing is that before I had really sat down to talk with him, the Holy Spirit had told me that I should bring up Gap Year and that this man was going to give me money for the trip. I didn’t know when I heard that, if it was just my own thoughts or what. I dismissed it as myself, but when he began to ask about my life I brought up Gap Year. At the time I hadn’t even applied yet and wasn’t sure if this is what God wanted for me. The conversation moved on from the subject of Gap Year, and the veteran had many more questions.
After a while he told me that he wanted to give me “a few bucks” towards my trip. I quickly explained to him that I hadn’t even applied for the trip yet and there was a chance that I could not be accepted, but he told me that I could just put it toward another trip. He then handed me the “couple bucks” which turned out to be five hundred dollars! The Lord confirmed so much to me that night about this trip, but the thing that amazes me more is the condition of the man’s heart. He was so intent on hearing the Word of Truth and then upon receiving it, he wanted to give.
That’s the response the gospel should evoke within us. After receiving truth, we give truth. After receiving mercy, we give mercy. After receiving grace, we give grace. After receiving forgiveness, we give forgiveness. This man just gave to a stranger. What the Father supplies for us on the daily, we are called to share with others. My prayer is that I become like my Father and learn to give what He has given me.
Acts 20:35
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “
Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
