Monday, November 10, 2008

The real Giver

Just recently, as I waited in the check-out line at my local Super-Target with a cart full of groceries, someone tapped me on the shoulder.

Behind me was a woman I had never met. She didn't have a cart, or a shopping basket, or any items in her hands. She wasn't in line behind me but just seemed to have come out of nowhere.

With a smile on her face, all she said to me was "Can you use this? It expires in a few days", and she handed me a Target gift card. Although the card value wasn't enormous, I couldn't have been more shocked! I thanked her sincerely and as soon as I turned around she was gone.

I couldn't help but wonder why she had picked me out of all the shoppers in the store. What made her come to me rather than the person in the next lane, or ahead of me, or better yet, why didn't she just use the card herself? After all, she was already in the store!

Then I asked myself this: could it be that God used her to bless me? Had He noticed that I have tried my best to be a good steward with the money that I'm given? I think so, yes. As Christian writer C.S. Lewis spoke of back in the early '40s in his book Mere Christianity, behind this lady's kindness was in fact the real Giver. Here's an excerpt from the book:

"You may say "I've never had the sense of being helped by an invisible Christ, but I often have been helped by other human beings". That is rather like the woman in the first war who said that if there were a bread shortage, it would not bother her house because they always ate toast. If there is no bread, there is no toast. If there were no help from Christ, there would be no help from other human beings.

But do not forget this. At first, it is natural for a baby to take his mother's milk without knowing his mother. It is equally natural for us to see the man who helps us without seeing Christ behind him. But we must not remain babies. We must go on to recognize the real Giver. It is madness not to. Because, if we do not, we shall be relying on human beings. And that is going to let us down."

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights. James 1:17

31 comments:

Lib said...

Amen Sister! If we could "ONLY" take time to remember this!
We were Blessed with a woodburning stove this wk.end! A TRUE Blessing from God!DH has been laid off almost 7mons. now, Our electric bills went up 20%, our home and car is paid for so we cannot get any form of help . We have learned to have faith in God! We live the Simple side of life , and so Thankful we do ! The stove had only been used maybe 4 times , they are remodeling , wouldn't take a penny,she thought of us ,just wanted it out of their way.
When I feel down, I read my bible, pray, and count my Blessins'! I've always tried to be Thankful ,but this Season in our Life has really taught me to be so Thankful!
Hope you have a great day!
Blessins',Lib

Linds said...

What a beautiful post - and what a wonderful thing to have happen to you. I know how often I miss the true beauty behind seemingly simple things. I need to be more aware. I am sitting here smiling at the thought.

Debra Kaye said...

What a beutiful post! Thank you Jesus for all of Your mercies in EVERY form they come ~ and this was most definitely one of them.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today...and I was truly blessed by yours.

Stacey said...

Thank you for sharing this today. It's perfect!

Gretchen said...

He gave to you, and you just passed it on...to us. Blessings on your week, Melody.

Tracy said...

What a beautiful post! I too have been blessed by others, but know truly where the blessing came from.

Carol said...

Thank you for posting such a wonderful, moving story. God works in ways we can't even imagine!

Check my Sunday post, I posted an award for you.

Hugs & blessings,
Carol

Amy said...

That is really an amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing it. Amy :)

Vanessa {Bloom Right Here!} said...

Oh, my! Such beautiful thoughts. Thank you for sharing.

Linda said...

What a beautiful post. I have often seen my husband do things like that woman did for you - always prompted by His love for Jesus. There have also been sweet people who have done the same thing for us just at the time we needed it most. You are so right. I believe they are Jesus' hand of love extended to us through them.
Thank you for this and for C.S. Lewis' always brilliant words.

Jess said...

I wish everyone could read this post... it was wonderful. I wish we all would obey God and give as much as we could.

Having faith is so important... but following Him is most I think!

Have a great week

Anna K. said...

Such a relavent message for today's times...or anytime for that matter!

I grew up with parents who faithfully trusted God in and with their finances. I know that must've been a challenge for them on a few occasions, but they had faith that we would be taken care of...and we were. My parents could write a book filled with stories just like the one you shared here! God is, indeed, faithful.

Susan B said...

What a beautiful post, Melody. What a special blessing that was for you. Thank you for reminder to look for the true Giver in all our blessings. It is sometimes easy to forget that, and miss acts of God's love for us.

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

What an amazing story, beautifully told. And what a blog! I love it. I dropped by today after you came over and visited me. Nice to "meet" you. Thanks for sharing this God moment with your readers.

Raise Them Up said...

Praise the Lord! I have to wonder how many times God sends a special blessing our way, but we're too preoccupied to see His hand in it. Thank you for a beautiful reminder to be looking for His hand, as well as seeking ways to be His hands.

By the way, I've enjoyed your blog so much, I kind of tagged you for a "Share seven favorite things about your kitchen" thing. I just posted mine. I thought it might be something you would enjoy doing if you had the time.

Overwhelmed! said...

What a beautiful message and how neat that this woman offered you a gift card!

Thanks for sharing!

Tea Time With Melody said...

Hi Melody,
Great post. Please stop by my blog, I have a surprise waiting for you....:)

Unknown said...

That is a great story! And what a treat to be blessed in such a way.

Anonymous said...

I love it when God blesses us in such special little ways we know it could only be Him. Our God is good!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your compliments. I'm glad I stopped by yours... I can see why you were blessed by the tea painting!

Have a glorious day in the Lord...

Tea Time With Melody said...

Melody, If I remember this from memory. lol...Right click on award and "save as a picture" in your computer hard drive. Then go to your blog layout and click on "add a gadget" Go down to "add a picture" Hit the Browzer button at left and then find your picture in your hard drive and hit"ok" or "open" It should then show up on the left colum of your gadget colum with the word Picture. When you view your blog it will be there. If I missed something, hopefully one of our followers will fill in the gap! Have a great day! :)

Susan said...

What a wonderful post. God's kingdom is built around Seed Time & Harvest.

Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving me a comment. I am always happy to meet new people. I hope you will return.

I'm printing out your simple recipe for the truffles. Thanks for posting it.
Susan

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I believe we often entertain angels unaware. Maybe you were visited that day?

Whether it was an angel or someone used of God, praise the Lord for that blessing!

Hope your week is going well. :o)

Love and hugs,

Diane

Maxine said...

What a blessed truth. And isn't it even better when He uses ME to be His instrument in Giving.
Thanks for your visit to my blog today and for your sweet comment. Please come again and I'll be sure to do the same!

Kathi~Lavender, Lace and Thyme said...

What a wonderful story Melody, a reminder of how each of us should be, not only this time of year but especially this time of the year. Thank you for sharing!

Blessings,
Kathi :)

Tina said...

I love this message and wish so much we could hear more of these types of stories. I know they are out there.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and encouraging me.

Holly said...

Aw, what a blessing to you, Melody and I know a blessing for that sweet lady, too!

~ Hearts ~

Teresa said...

Totally cool! God is definitely the Real Giver. He pours out His blessings. Only, most of the time we don't see them or count them. What a wonderful "gift" from our Real Giver.

Teresa said...

Totally cool! God is definitely the Real Giver. He pours out His blessings. Only, most of the time we don't see them or count them. What a wonderful "gift" from our Real Giver.

Vee said...

So enjoyed reading this post...how often I can think of help that came just as it was needed most. It's almost as if we appreciate the gift more than the Giver. Thanks for sharing this...

Erin said...

What a fantastic blessing!

thelangleys1995 said...

I really needed to read this today. Sometimes I look to the wrong source for my strength and this spoke to me. Thanks.