Last week I had the distinct pleasure of serving as a Salvation Army Bell Ringer at my local Belk store. This is my fourth year in a row to do this volunteer work and it is a fascinating look into humanity as I stand there in the cold wind and ring my bell, ring my bell. (sorry for that ear worm!) Black Friday preview sales were in effect and the joint was jumping. I like it when it’s busy like that: It gives me a chance to really experience Outer Banks culture.

As in years past, I was astounded by the loving generosity of my town. The vast majority of people who walked past me (and two who were on bikes) dropped something in my red kettle and said a cheerful word. I joked with people that it was too early for “Merry Christmas”, so I wished them a Happy Thanksgiving. They wished me well in return, and several of them thanked me for being there.

A very senior gentleman and his wife hobbled from their car on their canes and said hello as they walked into the store. I told the fellow that I liked his hat, and he beamed. An hour later, they hobbled out of the store, and he came straight to me with a $20 in his hand. He couldn’t manage the small opening in the kettle, so he handed it to me. As I put his donation in, I mentioned his hat again and he said that my compliment made his day. He had no idea how much our interaction made mine.

But the exchange that brought me to tears was a mother and her young daughter, who had her hair up in Pippi Longstocking ponytails. I had noticed them as they drove past me in a beat up old Ford truck, looking for a parking spot. When they got out of the car, I could see the mother fishing around in her purse and pockets and handing something to the little girl. She ran up to the kettle and was excited to give her offering. It was a handful of pennies and a few nickels and dimes. She wanted to put each coin in one at a time, but both were dressed modestly in old t-shirts, jeans, and flip flops and the sudden cold of the day made the mother want to hasten into the store. The girl finally pushed her pennies into the center of the kettle opening and listened to each one fall.

The mother looked at me as I was helping her daughter and said, “I’m sorry I don’t have more to give.” I immediately responded that every penny given could change someone’s life, but what she was teaching her daughter could change the world. All of a sudden she began to cry, and then of course I began to cry. I wished them both a Merry Christmas and silently prayed for them as the little girl scampered off to the store.

Jesus tells a story of people making their offering at the temple. Where are you in the story?

Mark 12 (New Revised Standard Version)

⁴¹ He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴² A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. ⁴³ Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. ⁴⁴ For all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

My faith in humanity is restored when I stand next to that red kettle every year. I see young men in their work clothes digging in their wallets for single dollar bills that you know they can’t afford to give. I see well-dressed folks stop and offer larger bills with a cheerful heart and a love for their community. Yes, many walk right past me, busy with their day, but the vast majority of people stop, give, smile, and say a kind word.

Are you a cheerful giver? The Lord loves you when you are.

Everything She Had by Becca Ziegler