Friday, April 24, 2009, "Book Fair Offers a Reminder"

Triumphant Victorious Reminders
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
By: Teresa Criswell

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
~ I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ~

The doors burst open as two little boys walked through the corridor, their eyes filled with wonder; they gasped for air in utter awe. As they exhaled they both ran with gigantic smiles, filling the room with laughter as they ran towards the books.

At a book fair, in their hands, held $5 gift certificates to purchase anything they wanted under $5. That is a bit difficult to do, especially considering how prices have gone up considerably, yet it was cool that they were able to receive a gift certificate from the school.

These boys did not care what the amount of their certificate was; they were just excited that they would be able to purchase something at the book fair.

You see this week our school is celebrating 'Literacy Week'. There were 35 kids in the school who were selected due to financial situations. These select children walked into the book fair with wonder and gratitude as they knew this was an uncommon treat.

There was one little boy who I noticed would walk towards a book that he was interested in, he'd flip the book over and look for the price and then put it down. He did this about 4 times. There was a leading in a particular woman's heart to purchase a book he was interested in without him knowing.

Somehow as he was waiting with the little erasers and pencils in his hand to 'pay' for his selection of pencils and erasers, he realized that the book up on the table was for him. He quietly went back to the place where he had found the pencils and erasers and was putting them back. I said, "What are you doing, why are you putting it back?" He slowly said, "Well I don't have enough money for these and the book. I want the book, so I'm putting these back." I told him, "O no sweetie, this book is for you, it's a gift to you." His eyes lit up as he ran back towards the erasers and pencils and picked them up eagerly awaiting to get back to his classroom to show his classmates what he had just received.

I told him, "You know this is actually God revealing His love for you through another person." He looked up at me with those soft brown eyes and said very humbly, "Thank you very much." He then said something that 'blew' me away, he was probably 9 or 10 years old as he said, "I'm so glad I'm a Christian, I don't know what I would do if I wasn't." I stood there in awe as my eyes welled up with tears, including the other woman (who had gifted another child with a book that he really wanted) who was also volunteering. We were utterly amazed by what was said out of the mouth of this child.

Just as this child who appreciated and was grateful beyond description for the book that was given to him and more importantly he received. I am 'reminded' that I want to have that special gratitude towards my Heavenly Father. He has those unimaginable blessings He wants to give us...are we willing to reach out our hands in gratefulness and receive them? He has already done His part...now what will we do?

I am so humbled as I saw this child 'remind' me to be grateful to the Lord. Just when we think we are only permitted so much of God's grace, He gives us more than we could ever imagine.

I pray that as I wake up in the morning and 'burst' open the doors to a new day that the Lord has made, that I will gasp for air as I'm in awe of what He has created and planned...to bless someone else for His glory.

Be in awe and wonder of His powerful, majestic, glorious LOVE.