
I hope I never forget my fifth birthday. Typical child, I was all consumed with what wonderful presents my friends would bring to my party. And typical of such a self-centered attitude, I quickly became a rather difficult little person to live with.
So my ingenious mother came up with a plan.....that year I would plan gifts to give my guests instead of hoping for such treasures myself. And so the 'birthday project' began!
Long story made short..... I learned in a practical little-kid way that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
A truth I was reminded of again this week --
I was reminded when I signed in and saw the prayer support by many of you blog readers... And as we welcomed the largest group of inmates we've ever had at the Prairie Du Chein Prison... I was again reminded as I saw the eager faces of the men and heard their voices join ours in the familiar carols. And the blessings of giving really started to spill over when five men responded to Dad's sharing of the gospel.
Thank you -- in a huge way -- for your prayers for our family this past Christmas. The hours we spent with the men are hard to fit in a 'nutshell' post. There were several men we had met on previous visits, along with dozens of new faces. As the Lord brings them to mind, please join us in continuing to pray for the chaplain, the believers, and the fields that are white unto harvest in Prairie Du Chein. We are already looking forward to making another visit, Lord-willing, in 2008.
Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive!
"The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God." --C.L.