Mama's coat was threadbare. The cuffs and collar were worn, and the elbows were thin. We children looked at it critically. "Mama," we said, "you have just got to have a new coat for this winter." "I will," she promised. "I'll begin to save for one."
All that depression summer mother dropped spare coins in her savings jar. Slowly, so slowly, the coins moved upward. She scrimped all summer to make our dream a reality.
Summer days passed and autumn nights grew cold. Chilling rains drenched the landscape. Snow squalls and icy winds blew. It was then we discovered our church roof was leaking. That meant the church had to have a new roof. Mother mended her coat again, and the church we knew was in good shape.
Again we discussed the coat situation. "The old one will last this one more winter," she promised.
Mother's jar began a slow collection. Few coins found their way into it that winter, but things were more hopeful in the spring. And by autumn the coins were near the top. We were excited as we emptied the jar and began the count. Indeed, there was enough for the new coat, and we envisioned her in it. We would all be so happy when the mail order coat arrived!
A church bulletin came that day stating a new missionary would be leaving for India. Would church members support her with prayer and offerings? Mother would! And so she exchanged the contents in the jar for a money order to the new missionary. When we challenged her liberality she responded, "It is such a joy to share in God's harvest field. Don't ask me to forfeit my gladness. This year I promise you and myself to get a new coat."
Sometime in June we noted that the jar was filling with coins faster than in previous years. July had several surprises. Now we knew the dream would be a reality. And as July slipped closer to August, Mother admitted to us that she was having times of weakness. Then suddenly and unexpectedly word came, "Mother has gone to Heaven."
No, she would not need a coat for winter. Wasn't she already clothed in shining garments of the redeemed? The winter coat wasn't needed after all.
~Asenath Box
(from The Burning Bush)
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,
so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity:
for God loveth a cheerful giver."
2Corinthians 9:7
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Sent to me by a good friend....hope you enjoy it,and Merry Christmas.....
