Tag!

My friend Sue tagged me yesterday. I had to go into my picture files to find the 6th picture in the 6th folder. I cringed for a moment, but then voila...relief...it's one of the kids!

AJ and Avery set up a "lemonade" stand at the end of our driveway during our garage sale last summer, although they didn't actually sell lemonade. They made gingersnaps and snickerdoodles and bundled fresh lavender from our backyard. They sold their little goodies for a dollar each.

We have a nurse friend who does medical missions trips. She has spoken often in church about where her organization, Agape in Action, is going next. A month or so before our annual garage sale she had mentioned an upcoming trip to a Rwandan orphanage.

This piqued AJ and Avery's interest and they wanted to help. Avery, who has an extremely generous heart, had already emptied her piggy bank a few months prior to give to our pastor who was going to Africa. It was one of those times when my child taught me about a spirit of giving. I realized it was more important to let her do what God was speaking to her little heart than it was to explain to her how much money she had saved and that she really didn't need to give ALL of it.

The kids wanted to give some money to help the orphans in Rwanda, but Avery was sad that she didn't have much to share. I reminded them of the upcoming garage sale and suggested they could sell cookies as they had the year before and give some of the money they raised. They thought this was a splendid idea, and I assumed it was all settled.

Well, it wasn't. They had apparently formulated their own plan in the backseat of the car on the way home from church that day. After we pulled into the driveway, AJ and Avery practically jumped out of the car and headed for the playroom, although I didn't give it much thought at the time.

They came out awhile later and asked to show me something. I walked in and found a pile of toys in the middle of the floor. Of course, I immediately wanted to know what the mess was about, but was quickly chagrined.

"Mom, we're going to sell this stuff and give the money to the kids."

They asked how much money I thought they could get and I suggested they pray about it. They decided they wanted to raise $100; an astronomical amount to a five and six year old. Considering the pile I was looking at, it also seemed like an awful lot to me, but I realized it was probably better not to argue. And pray they did.

A few weeks later as sale day dawned, they proudly displayed their treasures (and it was many of their treasures) and set up their "lemonade" stand. They kept their own money box and were responsible for selling their own things. I'm sure it helped when they cornered our browsers and said they were raising money for "kids without moms and dads!"

At the end of the two-day event, we poured all the money out of their box and began to count. Lots of nickels, dimes, and quarters and some green bills. I was overcome with emotion as we came to the last few coins. "Mommy, what's wrong?" they asked.

"Oh, nothing's wrong. But God answered your prayer and honored your efforts."

Their grand total? $100.26. You tell me that was coincidence.

My kids were not the least bit surprised. Of course they would have $100. But my faith was bolstered that day. God cares so much about the details and goes to such great lengths to show us that nothing is out of His control. Even at a garage sale.

It was with great joy that they handed their heavy envelope to Kristi at church the following Sunday. The looks on their faces were priceless as I shared their story of sacrifice. I wish I had a picture of that in folder six.