What a Young Lady Taught Me

Have you ever lost your wallet or purse? You have? Do you remember the sinking feeling when you realize that it is gone with all of the money inside? Panic sets in as you think of the fact that you will not have the money to buy what you had planned to buy that day. And if the amount was big enough – it will truly hurt.

That happened to a very young friend of mine the other day. As I heard of her reaction I was blown away at the maturity she has shown through the episode.

In order for me to understand the situation completely I have to load my wallet with about one week’s salary – or even more.

Emma is 9 years old. Like any other young girl she is care free and yet very serious. She takes things to heart and dwells on things said for a long time – even to the point of getting hurt herself. When her brother says or does something it can crush her budding feelings. Tears are only a few moments away if it really hurts. After all 9 year old girls are just months away from being teenagers if you don’t know it already.

Last Friday Emma enjoyed the day with her friend’s family. Emma and Jaden headed off to the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. Together the two 9 year olds together, having an outing that was just plain fun. Giggles and talk, Webkinz and stories; all of it made for a great day in together.

When they arrived at the Ontario Science Centre, the first thing Emma did was to buy a necklace and one other small item at the souvenir shop. She took out her small, pink change purse with her money in it. After paying for the treasures she had chosen, she left the purse behind on the counter.

Emma doesn’t usually carry money, mom and dad do that for her. Emma usually doesn’t have money – with no source of income – mom and dad are her complete source. Decisions to buy something for her first 8 years – have been relatively simple. She asks and if they have the money or think the requests is reasonable – it gets bought.

Friday was different. She was a big girl now and responsibility for her purse rested on her shoulders for the almost $20 inside.

It was a little later that her new adult responsibility kicked in and she realized that in the busy shopping spree and the crowd of people around her – she didn’t have her purse and the money. It was gone.

Quickly she returned to the souvenir shop to look for her purse. There it was on the counter. I can only imagine her feelings of relief at that point. She picked it up and counted – her fifteen Loonies(Canadian dollars) were in her small pink purse. What a relief I felt as the story was told to me.

But there was more.

As they traveled through the exhibits and the maze of the Science Centre there was much excitement. There were also many people – everywhere. A while later, Emma came to a shocking discovery – the small change purse was gone again. Somewhere long the line it had slipped away. Either it was dropped or it was laid down while looking at something.

Now can you feel the sinking feeling that a 9 year old would have at that point? She was given adult responsibility to not lose the purse and money. It was money to be used for the rest of the day. It was money that – if there was any left – she could likely keep it. It was very important.

I held my breath as the story continued.

Emma went on to say that a thought came to her mind to check the lost and found of the Science Centre. Jaden and her mom accompanied Emma. Sure enough – there it was. Someone had turned in her small pink purse. Her heart leaped with joy.

Opening it up she found that all 15 Loonies were gone. Her heart sunk. Her day’s treasure was gone – someone had stolen her money.

In her story at that point she exclaimed, “I prayed that God would help me find my purse…but I didn’t pray that He would have the money still there…”

As Emma related the story two days later she added one more deep thought to her account. She stated with the resilience of an adult woman, “Oh well, I guess the person that took the money needed it more that I did.”

It was then that I wanted to go to the nearest bank machine and withdraw $20 or more and fill her small change purse with a new bill. After all that is what Grandpas do isn’t it.

But I didn’t do it – yet. Rather I have been thinking of the power that resides in this little lady. She is growing to maturity very quickly in so many areas. I have just witnessed – resolve and faith mixed with compassion. What a powerful starting point for life ahead of you – especially when you are just 9 years old.

Reflection…
There are days when I feel like my ‘small change purse’ is gone too. Either I have lost it or have come to the realization that there isn’t enough to make it through the next weeks. The simple fact is that I have run out of money before I ran out of days in the week, or weeks in the month. It is like someone stole what I have. Ahead – retirement is a nightmare – the future is shaky as I pause too long on the nothingness in my ‘small change purse’.

Then in my shaken world Emma appears and tells Grandpa her story of a simple growing faith – where she prays and asks God for help. Then when the worst happens – the money is gone – she finds relief in feeling for the other person that has taken the money…“Oh well, I guess the person that took the money needed it more that I did.”

I am just a tiny bit ashamed today when I have failed to capture the thought that God had been trying to teach me. Then in his providence he gave me Emma.

There is LOTS to think about today. Oh boy…

Matthew 18:2-4 (New International Version of the Bible)
He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~