Tooting God’s Horn…

When we received word on Friday morning that Alex Cram was worse -- collapsed lung -- we decided that we needed to go to the hospital and visit him. While we were getting ready, Kristin said, “I wish we had a gift we could wrap and take to him.” Then she remembered… while Christmas shopping she purchased a “just-in-case” gift. You know what I mean… someone is left out at Christmas and you wish you had something tucked away to give them. Well, my wife is really good at thinking ahead, and good at thinking of others as well, so she had a “just-in-case” gift. (Now don’t confuse this with re-gifting -- the ancient art of taking a gift given to you and storing it until the opportune time, then giving it to another for their special occasion. This is altogether different. The “just-in case” gift is a considerate gift from the heart, to whom ever it may end up with)

The gift my wife purchased was an M&M’s candy dispenser, with a large bag of plain M&M’s included. (I know, everyone who didn’t receive a gift from us for Christmas is now disappointed) As Kristin was wrapping the gift, I called Aaron and Kim (Alex’s Uncle and Aunt) to ask if he was allergic to anything in M&M’s as he has several allergies. Kim told me that he was allergic to peanut M&M’s, but that Kendra (Alex’s mom) had called and said he was asking for plain M&M’s, and asked her to bring a bag when she came to visit. (Now, whose idea was it really to buy a “just-in-case” gift? I’m really glad my wife is sensitive to God nudging her)

Anyway, this is where it gets good…

Kristin, Kendall and I walked into Alex’s room at SOMC, and Kendall is carrying Alex’s gift. He looked up, and was so excited… the I.V. in his hand could hardly hold him back. He is very sick, but was so excited to be playing with his cousins and to be visited by a friend (Kendall). A lot of things come to mind when I think of a 4 year old being in the hospital Christmas Eve -- or anytime for that matter -- crying, whining, pouting, sleeping, or just being upset in general. And that’s not even mentioning the parent’s heartbreak.

Not Alex… When opening the gift -- as soon as he could tell what it was he said in an excited voice “I love this!” Then he proceeded to share M&M’s, and the toys he had with the children that were there with him.
As we were leaving, we all paused for a few minutes to pray for God to heal and bless little Alex and his family. When the prayer was finished Alex said “I want to pray,” and he then thanked God for pretty much everything. He thanked Him for his mom and dad, the adults and children that were there, and he named names. Then he said…”thanks God for my Batman Mogile, (pronounced like mobile, but with a “g”) and for Santa Clause.”

When he was finished one of the adults pointed out that we – the adults that prayed -- asked God for things in prayer (heal Alex, bless the family) while Alex only thanked God. I was reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:7-8

"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

Wouldn’t it be great to have the heart of a child, happy in most any circumstance – glad to share what you’ve been blessed with – with those around you, treating those around you with love, and just simply saying “thank you God for…” because you know He already knows what you need before you ask.

Sometimes God teaches Big lessons through little children with Big hearts.
Thanks…