When Little Hearts Give Big

Today’s post is a personal story. No fancy pictures. No SEO tactics. Just a sweet story about my older daughter Allie.

Parenting is oh-so-hard and I honestly feel like I’m failing in some way about 90% of the time. I’m not as patient as I should be, I’m more distracted than I should be. I don’t do enough crafts with my girls or play enough ball with my boys.

But yesterday I had the most precious of moments with my older daughter. I was at CVS with my older two, Allie and Landon. We had just got back in the car to leave. A homeless man approached us and at first I tried to ignore him. In Houston we’re approached by the homeless no less than 4 times a day. We love to help, we just can’t help everyone and honestly, sometimes it’s just easier to not think about it.

I did roll down my window and told him I didn’t have any cash (true story) and he was so kind about it and seemed pretty embarrassed to even be asking. We pulled out of the parking lot heading to the kids’ school when Allie piped up from the back seat, “Wait mama! I have a jar of change I was going to use for snacks at school I want to give to that man!”

My mama heart swelled with happiness and just plain gratefulness. This child loves earning money to save for accessories for her dolls and yes, snacks at school. But she also LOVES to give. She created Christmas presents for every single person in my family (her grandparents, aunt, uncles, cousins, parents and siblings!) She is a true entrepreneur (wonder where she gets that? 😉 ) and I just love her BIG heart to pieces.

She passed her money jar up front and told me to give him everything.

I turned around and pulled back up into the parking lot. The man wasn’t hard to find. We drove up to him and I told him that my daughter wanted to give him her money and handed him the jar.

With tears in his eyes he told he couldn’t take her money. I told him that she really wanted him to have it and that he should take it. He dumped the change in his hand and said with a grin, “If everyone gave this generously, I could eat a steak tonight!” With a smile and a wave we drove off.

I’m so thankful for the little moments like these that give me a glimpse into the people my children are becoming. And I’m inspired by Allie’s generosity and love and am brainstorming ways to I can share generously as well. Have a wonderful day, my friends.