 |
|
 |
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 2002
GRATITUDE
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 2002
GRATITUDE
One of the PERCEPTIONS stories seems appropriate to the season.
A baby was born without the fleshy part of what we call "ears." He could hear fine; he just had no ears. The doctor said that when the boy was grown and a donor was found, he could have surgery.
In school, the boy was often teased and called a freak. But his parents helped him overcome the teasing. While in college, his Dad called to tell him a donor had been found. The operation changed his life in a remarkable way. He graduated from college and began a successful career.
Then one day his dad called to tell him his mom had died suddenly. He returned home and went with his father to the funeral home to view his mother. His Dad reached down and brushed back her hair. The son saw for the first time that his mom had no ears. His Dad said: "She made me promise never to tell you, but she was your donor. Your ears are the ones she gave to you."
(Copyright, Perceptions; Perceptions is a registered trademark of Durham, Inc.)
Everything we have is a gift. Properly viewed, we can honestly say that nothing is original to us, even the "things" purchased by our checkbook. Everything is a gift from God.
You and I have been sent commitment cards and with those cards we are asked to let the Church know the amount of our commitment for 2003. The letter reminded us that what we are committing to is ministry. We are not funding the budget. We are making a commitment to ministry.
Let me encourage you to give generously. God has been most generous with us! Our giving reflects the level of our gratitude.
With thanksgiving to God, I am,
David
David D. Reed