Just a Basketball and a Football

As parents, we are always looking for ways that we can teach our children to look outside of themselves and think of others first.  This week our boys took advantage of an opportunity to show kindness to two of their friends.  What happened this week will stick with them, and me, for the rest of their lives.  

It really is better to give than to receive.  

Our Pastor's daughter and her family have been missionaries to Mexico for many years.  This week they moved back to the States and will be spending the summer here with family before they settle on a permanent home.  They have two boys that are very close in age to our boys.  Throughout the years, the boys have developed a friendship that has spanned the miles and language barriers.  

The family arrived in the States with only what was in their suitcases.  Several months ago, when we found out that the family would be coming home, we knew that they would be leaving most of their worldly possessions behind in Mexico.  We knew that we wanted to do something special for the two boys to make the transition a little easier and to welcome them home.  Isaac and Walker decided on a basketball and a football.  Besides, we knew that their grandma would be wanting to kick them outside before long so that she could have some peace and quiet.  

The night before their arrival, our Pastor asked to borrow our car so that they would have enough room to pick the family up from the airport.  It was the perfect opportunity for us to prepare the boy's gifts.  We wrapped the basketball and football and placed them on the seats of the car so that they would be there to welcome them as soon as they arrived.  

Isaac and Walker could hardly contain themselves the entire day just waiting to greet their friends.  They had a long and sometimes very dangerous two day trip, but we were fortunate to be able to visit with them that very night when they returned the car.  Needless to say, the two boys really liked the balls.  

What we didn't know was that while we were at the store buying the basketball and football, something special was happening in Mexico.  As they were packing and preparing to leave Mexico, the youngest boy gave his own basketball and American football to his neighbor (remember that in Mexico a football is a soccer ball).  You can only imagine the emotions that he was feeling as he was giving away his toys and saying goodbye to his friend.  You can also imagine the surprise when the very things that he had given away were now given back to him.  His dad said "when you bless someone, God blesses you in return." 

To us, it was so much more than just giving a gift.  My heart was blessed, not just by the smiles on the boys faces, but by knowing that God used our simple thought to really bless someone in such a specific way.  How were we to know what a special blessing and lesson it would be to all four boys.  

Look around this weekend for an opportunity to bless someone else.  Even the little things matter.  You might just find that you receive the bigger blessing from it.