November 25, 2010 7:40 AM
Thanksgiving - Daniel's story
I write a weekly column for my church bulletin. They are copyrighted, archived at St. Francis deSales and available for reprint for a small fee with my permission. Last Sunday's had to do with Thanksgiving and my 11th child, one of the three sons we adopted. Daniel is 14 and has Down syndrome/PDD, so he often has a different - and refreshing - take on life:
In God Daniel TrustsWhen Tripp and I saw the offering envelopes for children in the narthex one Sunday, we made it a point to grab four boxes for our Downzers (our politically incorrect but loving family name for our four special boys). Always looking for ways to give them a little nudge, we thought this would be a concrete way to make giving a habit.
Each Sunday, Tripp helps them put their money in their envelopes, they put the envelopes in their pockets and - if all goes well - the envelopes are there when the basket comes around. Each week we are reinforcing the concept of surrendering back to God what was never really ours to begin with.
If you've ever sat near our family during Mass, you may have heard my son Daniel when he places his wrinkled envelope in the basket say loud and clear: "Thank you!"
While we taught Daniel to put his envelope in the basket, we never taught him to say anything. And since thank you is something we say when we receive rather than when we give, even the first time it struck me that - as often happens with my special sons - there was a spiritual lesson in his sweet and innocent attitude.
"It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Though not recorded in the gospels, in Acts 20:35 St. Paul tells the early church that Jesus said these words. Not only can we trust Jesus said these words, but we know He lived them - holding back nothing as He gave everything that we might share in eternal life.
The problem is that as earthly beings, we tend to become so mired in daily cares that we forget. Every Sunday, Daniel reminds me. As he simultaneously gives and thanks I can see the connection between giving and thanks.
A few weeks ago Fr. Escalante shared a heavy accusation he had received - that he neglected preaching the Word of God and spoke too much of money. I was shocked! Was my priest's accuser actually sitting in the same pews as my family? Listening to the same homilies? Reading the same Bible?
The fact is:
• Jesus talked about money more than He did Heaven and Hell combined. • Jesus talked about money more than anything else except the Kingdom of God. • 11 of 39 parables talk about money. • 1 of every 7 verses in the Gospel of Luke talk about money.HT: Answers.com
Why would Jesus talk so much about money? Because He knows us so well. Knows that our attitude toward money is an important indicator of our trust in God - which makes it even more interesting that our currency reminds us as we hold it and let it go: In God We Trust.
As followers of Jesus, we are all in process. I have to admit that it was in finally being stripped of the things I thought were essential - financial security, home ownership - that I have finally felt free of the worry I had when our family had more.
I also know that as our finances were shifting, Tripp and I often sat down to discuss with our children the sacrifices we needed to make. Today I appreciate being part of a larger family whose spiritual shepherd humbles himself when necessary to ask for our help in seeing our church become a place that can meet the needs of others - including future families.
This Thanksgiving, will you join me in praying that we all might become more like Daniel? Not just giving thanks, but giving thankfully.
Posted in Inspiration, Thanksgiving | Permalink
Comments
Awesome!
A great reminder that the important thing is not just to give, but give thankfully.
Have a wonderful day Momma!
Say hi to all the family for me!!!
Posted by: LadyLovas | November 25, 2010 9:28 AM
