I want to pass on a story that Joe Thompson told us last night at deacons meeting. I hope it blesses and challenges you as much as it did me.
You may already be familiar with our annual youth group fundraiser involving the silent auction of baskets. If not, allow me to explain. Each year several small groups in our church put together baskets filled with goodies to be auctioned off to raise funds for the youth group to participate in their summer camp activity. For several weeks, these baskets sit in a hallway for all to see. People stop by and write their name along with their bid on a sheet of paper in front of each box. At the end of the designated period of time, the person who has made the highest bid "wins" the basket. They pay up, then they get the basket. Everyone else who made bids is out of luck.
This whole process recently came to its conclusion for the year. Several people were tracking Joe down to pay for their baskets and enjoy their new goodies. One very special 9 year old member of our church named Rachel found Joe last week. She approached him with an envelope that appeared to be full of money. Joe said he immediately began to feel bad for her and assumed that she had misunderstood. You see, her bid was not the winning bid. Someone else had won the basket she desired.
Joe said he began to explain the situation to her when she interrupted him. "I know I didn't win the basket," she said. "But I committed to God to give this money whether I won the basket or not. I just want to help out." You can imagine Joe's response at that moment. It was probably a lot like yours right now. Joe told us that he took some time to tell her how much he appreciated her sacrifice and how he looked forward to seeing how God would use her gift to help out a teenager in need.
Around here at FBC, we say "WOOF" to that.
I hope this little story encourages your heart. I also hope it also challenges you. Rachel has much to teach us and we are thankful to God for her.
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