The little girl sat with her grandfather on the front porch of the old faded house. He rocked in the rocking chair while she sat on the step kicking at the dirt path that led to the house.
Why don’t we have what other people have Grandpa?” she asked. The young girl lived with her Grandparents and had since she was very young.
“Oh, what do you mean by that?” he asked as he rocked back and forth.
“The homes I pass when I walk to school, they are so large and have such beautiful lawns and cars,” she explained.
“Oh, I see,” he said rocking. “Well, when I was a boy I had to use that old outhouse behind the house. God saw fit that we have modern plumbing.”
“I don’t mean that, why does God give them big shiny things, and we just have the ordinary things?” she asked somewhat exasperated.
The old man was silent a long time. The young girl waited her face cast down as she waited for his answer. “I guess that is just the way life is.” She smirked downward not satisfied with the answer.
“Can you see through the door to where your Grandma is working in the kitchen?”‘ the old man asked.
“Yes.”
“What is on the wall behind your Grandma?”
“That old carving your father made,” she answered. “You told me he made it for you as a wedding present.
“Yes,” the old man smiled. “Such a touching gift. It’s my favourite thing in the world, beside you and your Grandma, of course,” chuckled the old man.
“What did my father so carefully carve for me?” he asked.
“Jesus on the cross,” she said.
“Ahhh,” said the old man. “Do you know why that old wooden cross is my greatest possession?”
“Cause your dad gave it to you and he’s dead now,” said the little girl.
“Yes, of course, but more than that.” The old man stopped rocking and put his head back and closed his eyes. “When my father gave it to me, he told me to remember that no matter what gifts and blessings I could gain on earth none of it will compare to the gift Jesus gave us.”
The little girl looked a bit puzzled.
“I may not have treasures here, but I have what I need. God has looked after us, look he brought us you, such a joy for your Grandma and me. But, he has saved the best gift of all. I believe Jesus died for me and all the glories of heaven will be mine one day.”
The little girl nodded. Not able to fully understand, but aware that somehow they were richer here in their little home than many of the people in their enormous mansions were.
The old man smiled as a tear rolled down his face.
James 1: 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
Roberta Writes 