Giving is truly better.

To understand the significance of this story, you must understand Amelia a bit. Though she has never been one to attach much significance to things, food is another matter. Specifically "special treats". She has a sweet tooth like no other. The way to her heart is definitely through her tummy. So you can imagine how excited she has been about Halloween. Last year she was in total shock at the concept of trick or treating and she looked forward to it coming again all year long. It is her Christmas as far as gifts go!

So, last night we got home with our bounty and she gobbled up her three piece allowance (she had already eaten several pieces during the day). Then she heard that we had almost run out of candy to give trick or treaters and quickly offered to put some of her own in the bowl to give. " Are you sure?" we asked in disbelief. She was on a mission. She poured about half her candy in the bowl and then opened the door and stood out on the porch. She was in her pajamas by this time and as I peeked out the window and saw her standing there by the door, standing so tall and serious holding the bowl out just waiting for little friends to come and get it, I almost cried. What a precious, surprising sight. I said a little prayer that someone would come (it was late by this time) and sure enough a big group came and wiped her out. She was not done yet. Oh no. She came in, grabbed her basket and poured the rest into the bowl, running back outside to give the rest away, I wish you could have seen her face and heard her voice. I did cry a this point. She was joyfully giving away her fortune, and it was inspiring (and humbling, really) to watch.

She went out to the end of the driveway and stood on the sidewalk. Sam was with her at one point and was yelling "Mena has candy for you!" to anyone he saw. The whole scene was just so funny because Sam is usually our giver and he didn't even think to join in until the very end. No, this was Amelia's lesson about the joy of giving. Well, hers and all of ours who were watching, Joel and Shari were out there with her as she sang loud songs about how excited the kids would be to get candy, how she didn't want her teeth to get rotten, etc,
Finally she came in to go to bed after we promised we would come and get her if anyone rang the doorbell. She still had some left and she also had put a stack of her drawings on top of the bowl to give away. This was put carefully by the front door. She put her shoes right by her bed " so she could get to the door fast if someone came". We turned out the lights and all started getting ready for bed. It was 10pm after all! But no, there rang the doorbell. Amelia squealed in delight and came running down the stairs. She let them choose their candy, handed out her drawings, and then retired to bed once again.

Oh, somewhere in there Sam found some stickers Shari had bought for Amelia earlier that day. He said, "Look Mena! These are for you!" You would have thought someone had handed her, well, massive amounts of candy! Shari and I thought she might cry she looked so genuinely surprised and thankful! She clutched them to her chest and then buried herself into Shari's bosom. Another teary moment for mama.

Joel told Amelia that she had shown us what Jesus's love looks like. So true. You know that hymn about how His love is "vast, unmeasured, boundless and free" ? I kept thinking of that today. How God gives to us so freely so that we might give. Unmeasured. Boundless. Free. Who knew that we would see that in action through our little girl in pink pajamas, standing at the end of the driveway, giving in just that way.

She didn't seem to regret it in any way today, though she was up to her antics of talking a million miles an hour about why she should be able to eat this or that after her meal. Sigh. I can't wait until the candy is gone (Sam still has plenty and is very willing to share with his sister:)! Still, what a sweet ending to our Halloween night. And what a great reminder that giving is truly better. What joy it brings. To the giver and the receiver.

All for now,
Jen