“Give and it will be given to you.” ~ Luke
6:38
Jack hated everything about holiday shopping:
the crowds, the tacky decorations and the aching feet. Christmas music nauseated him, as did the
special deals tempting him to overspend.
He even hated free food samples, seeing them as the ideal flu dispersing
agent.
But today was different.
He was on a mission to find the perfect teddy bear for his son Dixon. Not even overly perky shopping assistants could
annoy him today.
Entering the store’s front door, the spectacle of toys gave
way to a simpler, happier time: humming train engines; rainbows of Legos, and children
squealing as they ‘tested’ the latest toys.
Jack found an entire wall of teddy’s – big, small; soft,
furry; and everything from fleece to fake fur.
He paused for a moment, remembering his own faithful friend,
with beady black eyes and a small, sad smile. Its brown fur darkened over the years by the
grunge of constant companionship. A handful
of stuffing leaked from a worn seam.
A kindly old proprietor interrupted Jack’s trip down memory
lane. The shop had been in his family
for generations. Sometimes people would
pop by just to chat. But he didn't mind,
his little shop was the heart of the community and he served it with joy.
“May I be of any help today?” he asked in a friendly voice.
“I’d like the biggest, cuddliest teddy bear you have for my
son,” Jack replied eagerly.
“How old is your boy?” the old man asked.
His cheeks flashed pink, as embarrassment spread across his
face. “Dixon is 3 weeks old today.”
Showing no sign of surprise, the savvy owner led him to the
store room, where a bear as tall as Jack greeted them. He ripped off plastic dusted by years of
inactivity, and carried his newfound treasure toward the cashier. As Jack stood behind the only woman in line,
he noticed two things.
First, the woman handed the clerk a $5 bill. “I’ll have the rest next week,” she said
without conviction, and left without a purchase.
Second, he realized the insanity of buying a stuffed animal that
dwarfed Dixon’s size. The root problem
of holiday-shopping-gone-mad isn't the kids. Its parents like me he thought.
He approached the counter, leaving the ginormous bear behind
him. “How much does she owe?” he asked,
“the lady who just left.”
“$175,” the clerk offered timidly.
Jack pulled several bills from his pocket. “Here’s $500 to forgive her layaway
charge. Use the rest for anyone else who
needs it. Please keep this between the
two of us.”
Watching from a distance, the shopkeeper picked up a soft,
plush bear from his shelf and handed it to Jack. “On the house sir. Merry Christmas.”
Teach us Father, how to live according to
Your will. As we prepare for your
birthday, let our hearts overflow with Your Grace so that we may extend this
grace to one another and love everyone the way You have loved us. Amen
