Never Underestimate the Power of Twenty-Five Cents

To a Church Elder,

For you, it was a quarter, but to an eight-year-old child from the trailer park, you gave me an opportunity. One, I couldn't have otherwise afforded.

The offering plate passed me each week. Others dropped in change or a few dollars while I watched with empty pockets wishing I had something...anything to offer. I didn't. Until, one day, you slipped that first quarter into my small hand.

That morning, I remember counting stained-glass window panes from my usual groove in the second pew. Then, before the music started you brought me over a small coin and I knew in the instant I saw it what I'd do with it. Judging by your smile, you must have known as well.

Over the years you brought me multiple quarters, but it wasn't a quarter that made the biggest impact on my life. It was the opportunity it afforded me when I finally had something I could put in the offering plate.

It started with me giving those quarters, but a desire to do more began to cultivate itself. I gave more and more time to reading my Bible and studying the word. I fell in love with it. Around age twelve, I became a Jr. Bus captain to help other "bus kids" get to church, but I believed God had even bigger plans for my life.

Years have come and gone, but the desire to give remained. I've come a long ways from where I had been in that rickety old wooden pew on the second row. Now, in a new church, in a new state, at age thirty-five, somehow I've become a Children's Pastor. I still get the opportunity to ride along with my wife as a Jr. bus captain, a big kid doing all I can to get other "bus kids" to church. Each day, not just on Sunday, I'm given an opportunity to reach and teach future generations. They will become the church's next leaders, teachers, preachers, and Pastors, or whatever God has planned for them.

These opportunities to give started, with a quarter. I'll never underestimate what can be done with a seemingly small gesture of kindness.

---

Now let me ask you, what small impact can you do to reach the next generation? Can you show a child how to worship? What about prayer? Don't stop at praying for them, I'm asking you to ask yourself, can you pray with them?

Maybe all you can do to bridge the generational gap is offer a small coin. Do it. God has a way of multiplying our offering in ways we may never know or expect, but it can't happen if we don't first give. Small sparks can start wildfires and you might have that spark in your pocket right now.

Luk 6:38 KJV

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

After Counting the Cost, I Quit!

I can’t. It’s too much. The cost is too great! What sacrifices will I be forced to make? Am I willing to do that?

I’ve made the excuses, put my foot down then walked away, believing it wasn’t worth it. The cost was too great, and the sacrifice...far more than I could handle. I’ve put the book on the shelf deciding it would be much better suited as a piece of decor item rather than anything worth reading. The expectation had been too much. The change required for me to follow that life. I simply...couldn’t.

Walking away had been easier than anticipated, but only for a season.[1] I tried new things, experienced the unknown, but failed to find substance. I reverted to old things, went down old roads, visited some old stomping grounds, but never found satisfaction. Sure, I smiled, laughed, and on a few occasions even managed to convince myself I was better off on my new path.

Years passed as I grew numb to the inner longing for something different. Better. I didn’t find it. Beneath my skin and false exterior, I had become an empty shell. The wreck I saw in the mirror had become unrecognizable. The reflection lacked hope and truth. Still...I brushed my teeth, plastered on a fading smile, combed my hair, then stepped past the reflection's edge.

Besides, I knew going back to what I’d left would have too high a price now that’d strayed so far off the path. Would I even be accepted if I tried? Would there be repercussions, reparations? Of course, there would be and I simply couldn’t afford that price no matter how much I missed the thing I’d left.

Then a hand, I’d refused to see reaching toward me, stretched out with a simple request. Reach back. In my deficiency, He held enough strength to pull me up and out of despair’s pit. I’d been given an opportunity to right my wrongs, correct my mistakes, and start over. With the chance at my fingertips, I dropped my pride, let go of the chains I’d held for far too long, then finally weighed the cost.

Even with nothing holding me down, I knew I couldn’t pay the toll it took to ride on this road. There would be sacrifices I’d need to make, changes would have to happen to move forward, friends I’d need to leave behind in hopes that one day they’d meet me on the same road. Could I afford that? Could I afford not to? Would walking away from this path be worth the expense?

A still small voice echoed within me “The price has already been paid. At a place called Calvary, I bled and died so the shattered pieces of your brokenness could be restored. I wept, as you wrestled with your pain and my heart ached when you walked away from the truth. On a wooden tree with three nails, I reached for you. I’ve been reaching ever since, waiting for you to reach back.”

What if I fall again? What if I fail? What if...I succeed? With questions unanswered and His hands still ever reaching, I cautiously reached into the warm arms of the Savior. He’d weighed the cost, stepped down from heaven, knowing I’d fail, met me in my brokenness, and still found me worth His love. He took the crown of thorns, endured the ridicule, felt the weight of the cross, and outstretched his arms toward me. He loved me, even when I didn’t think myself worth his love.

One step at a time, I returned to the life I’d left, believing in God, and trusting in him. You can too. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve fallen. He’s already weighed the cost. He still sees you, He still loves you, and He’s still waiting on your return to grace. You are worth it!

---

Time To Be Transparent

Somewhere between age sixteen and seventeen, I walked away from God, the church, and the life that comes with it. Not all at once, but one step, one choice at a time. I became a lot of things I’m not proud of. Did some things I’m even less proud of. Eventually, with almost nothing, I moved over 300 miles from my home (a room in my friend's basement) to start life over. The next Sunday, I walked into a Church, lifted my hands, and re-claimed the faith I’d tried to pretend didn’t exist.

What if I succeed?

Today, I’m a Children’s Pastor. We had 60 students in Sunday School last Sunday, With 39 in the class I have the opportunity to teach with my wife.

[1] Hebrews 11:24-25

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

No matter the cost. Choose a life living for Christ