Reading 40

2 Corinthians 8-11

Have you ever met someone who exuded the presence of God? For me, one such person in my life was Mother Wonder. A number of years ago I had the opportunity to serve at an after-school ministry in Compton, California called the S.A.Y. Yes Center, which was based out of a local church. I was in college at the time and a group of us would go for a week usually at Spring Break to help out as we could. We’d do projects around the church during the day, painting or small “fix-it” projects and then work with the children when they arrived after school.

The first time I was there, I met Mother Wonder, a beautiful soul, incredibly in tune with God. I remember attending prayer times with Mother Wonder in the church’s prayer closet (literally!). This woman of God was amazing. She had such a gift for prayer and for entering as well as leading others into the presence of God. Time spent in prayer flew by when she was there. Her faith and her passion for God and his people moved me to tears.

I can only imagine the hard life that she had. And yet out of her years of experiences and trials, she had come to know the grace of God personally, regardless of her situation. At the end of the week before we left to come home, she gave each one of us a small gift: a piece candy wrapped with a Bible verse. I kept that candy and Bible verse for years. Each time I saw it, I would think of her and it reminded me to pray. I know she did not have much in the way of money. I know she did not have much period. But she found it in her heart to give and give generously.

As I read today’s reading, I could not help but think of Mother Wonder and her joy and generosity. One thing that struck me so clearly is she didn’t allow her situation to dictate her attitude. Just because she didn’t have much, didn’t mean she didn’t have joy.

In 2 Corinthians 8:1 we’re told about the grace God gave to the Macedonian churches and I couldn’t help but think that nearly two thousand years later, our God is still giving grace that enables us to be in our situation, severe trial or not, poverty or not, and have overwhelming joy that wells up into rich generosity.

As I continued to think about Mother Wonder and her generosity, I started to ask myself, “What is God asking me to give? Is it my time, my efforts, my creativity, my thoughts? What can I share with those around me?” In my life, Mother Wonder has been and continues to be an inspiration of generosity even in the midst of not having much physically or monetarily. But from her heart, she gave generously and I want to, too.

Cristin

Reading # 40 (audio)