Hannah's Heart

I want to share a story that happened this past Friday when we were leaving co-op. First, let me give you a little history...

Hannah received some money for her birthday last fall. She spent a little of it, put some in her bank savings account, and put the rest in her "bunny" bank. At one point I needed change for a $20 bill and she made change for me. So that $20 bill has been in her bunny bank for many weeks now. From time to time she'll say she wants to spend it on something but it has never left the bunny bank.

One of our prayers for all our children is that the Lord would put older kids in their paths who will influence them in a Godly way. There are some really sweet teenage girls in our co-op. One of them, Ellie, is going on a mission trip in June to work in orphanages for 2 weeks. We found out about Ellie's mission opportunity a couple of weeks ago. Since that time we've been praying for Ellie to be able to raise the $2700 she'll need for the trip.

Now back to my story...last Thursday we went to the NC Museum of Life and Science with Pawpaw and Nana. There were several things Hannah wanted throughout the day that I would not buy. By the end of the day she had decided that the next time we went to the museum, she would take her $20 and buy whatever she wanted. (Note: I did not say "yes" to this. I just listened.)

When we returned home Thursday evening, she got out her bunny bank to show everyone her $20 bill. She was really stuck on the idea of spending it the next time we went to the museum. At one point I reminded her that the $20 was not really hers, but God's. I asked her if she could think of a better way she could spend the $20 or at least part of it. She thought for a moment then said, "I could give it to Miss Ellie for her mission trip!" I said, "Now that's a good idea. We'll have to see about it but now it's time for bed."

Friday as we were leaving co-op, I found Hannah on the floor emptying her backpack. She was frantically looking for something (and blocking the hallway for her search). I got to her just as she pulled her hand out of her backpack. She stood up with a big smile on her face, turned to Ellie and said, "This is for your mission trip!" It wasn't at all how I had planned to let her "give" to Ellie. It was even better because it was from her heart.

Needless to say, her parents are very proud of her for giving to someone else instead of thinking of herself. Now comes the hard part...I'll save that for my next post.

"Thank you, God, for Hannah being part of our family. May she always have a heart for missions and a heart for You! Amen."