‘When you have eaten and are
satisfied, praise the LORD your God.’ Deuteronomy 8:10
We decided to reprint this
story because its message is timeless. ‘They huddled inside the storm door -
two children in ragged, oversized coats. “Any old papers, lady?” I was busy. I
wanted to say no - until I saw their feet. Little sandals sopped with sleet.
“Come in and I’ll make you some hot cocoa.” There was no conversation. Their
soggy sandals left marks on the hearthstone. I served them cocoa with toast and
jam to fortify them against the chill outside. Then I went back to the kitchen
to work on my household budget. The silence in the front room struck through
me. I looked in. The little girl held the empty cup in her hands and looked at
it. The boy asked, “Lady, are you rich?” I looked at my shabby slipcovers. “Am
I rich? Mercy, no!” The girl put the cup in its saucer - carefully. “Your cups
match your saucers.” Her voice was old with a hunger not of the stomach. They
then left, holding their bundles of paper against the wind. They hadn’t said
thank you. They didn’t need to - they’d done more than that. Much more. Plain
blue pottery cups and saucers, but they matched. Potatoes in brown gravy; a
roof over our heads; my man with a good steady job - these things matched, too.
I moved the chairs back from the fire and tidied the living room. The muddy
prints of small sandals were still wet on my hearth. I let them be. I want them
there in case I ever forget how rich I am!’ The word for you today is: don’t
forget to thank God.
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