Hot Dogs and a Giving Heart
You know those stories that become part of your family lore? Well, I was reminded of one of our Woodrow lore stories a few Sundays ago during Josh’s sermon.
My family had returned to Mozambique after a year-long furlough, and my eldest brother was about to turn 4. During their time in the US, he had been introduced to hot dogs and, like most four-year-old boys, was a big fan. The problem was, Mozambique in the 1990s had not yet gotten on the “hot dog train,” understandably, as they were still trying to establish some of the basic essentials like flour and water. But try explaining that to a little boy who had just come back from the land of plenty. How devastated he was when he learned he’d have to go some years before eating hot dogs again.
Well, his birthday came around, and he was gifted some money all for his very own! My dad thought this would be a good time to teach him about tithing and giving to the Lord. He explained to my brother that God asks us to give back as a way of showing our trust and dependence on the Lord and our recognition that everything is God’s already. He also shared how God provides for His people and that we can never give God more than God gives to us. My brother was so moved by this lesson that he decided then and there to give every last penny to the Lord! Well, this was not what either of my parents expected, but not thinking of a way to change his mind without sounding hypocritical, they let him offer all his birthday money to the church.
Fast-forward to that afternoon, and there was a knock on their apartment door. A vendor had come up to showcase his goods. Imagine their surprise when, out of his bag, he produced a small can of hotdog sausages- the first my family had ever seen in all their years in Mozambique! Well, my eldest brother was delighted, not only to finally eat hot dogs, but also in realizing how the God of the universe chose to bless him with such an extraordinary and personal gift!
May we also live generously, delighting in every good and perfect gift from our Father!
My family had returned to Mozambique after a year-long furlough, and my eldest brother was about to turn 4. During their time in the US, he had been introduced to hot dogs and, like most four-year-old boys, was a big fan. The problem was, Mozambique in the 1990s had not yet gotten on the “hot dog train,” understandably, as they were still trying to establish some of the basic essentials like flour and water. But try explaining that to a little boy who had just come back from the land of plenty. How devastated he was when he learned he’d have to go some years before eating hot dogs again.
Well, his birthday came around, and he was gifted some money all for his very own! My dad thought this would be a good time to teach him about tithing and giving to the Lord. He explained to my brother that God asks us to give back as a way of showing our trust and dependence on the Lord and our recognition that everything is God’s already. He also shared how God provides for His people and that we can never give God more than God gives to us. My brother was so moved by this lesson that he decided then and there to give every last penny to the Lord! Well, this was not what either of my parents expected, but not thinking of a way to change his mind without sounding hypocritical, they let him offer all his birthday money to the church.
Fast-forward to that afternoon, and there was a knock on their apartment door. A vendor had come up to showcase his goods. Imagine their surprise when, out of his bag, he produced a small can of hotdog sausages- the first my family had ever seen in all their years in Mozambique! Well, my eldest brother was delighted, not only to finally eat hot dogs, but also in realizing how the God of the universe chose to bless him with such an extraordinary and personal gift!
May we also live generously, delighting in every good and perfect gift from our Father!
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