COMMON DENOMINATOR

As you look at the little pictures in the collage below, do you see a common demoninator in practically each and every picture?

S-M-I-L-E

Yep...it didn't matter what the circumstances. Jake was just going to be SMILING.

He was a grateful person. He could be rubbing two coins together to try to make a nickle of them and be wondering where his next meal was coming from because you see he had not stayed within his budget. BUDGET.. what was that. Jake had tithed his more than 10 percent in church the week before and had run out of money before pay day. He didn't think before hand if he was going to have enough money to last the week, if his truck was going to have enough gas to get back and forth to work. He just did what came naturally. He gave to God what was God's to give.

When a co-worker hit him up for a loan, he didn't think "gee, that will leave me with nothing, better not do it". He just reached into his pocket and if he had a five and a one dollar bill, he readily handed over his five to whoever was in need. You see Jake did what we're all called to do. He gave his best to YOU and kept the least for himself.

And a smile always denotes a cheerful giver. A person full of optimism. Of hope and of faith.

Jake believed. He truly believed and lived each day of his life knowing that God would provide. He always tried to teach us this without ever voicing it. He knew he was the least of us...the baby. We would surely have argued with him to try to make him see things OUR way. He stood tall. He stood firm in his belief. Many times I and others have said things to Jake like "Jake, God is not going to send you a check in the mail for your rent. He understands your pocketbook. and God will provide but he wants you to do your part". You see I was constantly browbeating Jake with the notion that he should learn to manage his money better. I worried that when I was not here Jake would need these skills. Little did I know God was teaching Jake what He wanted him to learn and Jake was listening. Jake would not argue...he simply listened intently to what I said and said things like "WOW, Momma you're right I am going to try to do better" and of course he did the same things over and over. Jake frustrated me with his naivity and his childlike attitudes about his money. He gave freely.

Am I ashamed of my attitude with Jake. Extremely. I did not know he would die first. I wanted him to learn to manage his money so he could have a better life. I cannot beat-up on myself though, because these are things parents are supposed to teach their children.

Jake just saw things differently. He knew that God was taking care of him and providing for him and he never ever thought things like "I'll do this and I'll do that for this one and that one and I will score up some points in heaven". No Jake was just Jake and giving came as natural to him as breathing. Jake was a cheerful giver. A smiling giver. He gave to others from love and out of a wanting to help.



God did provide. Five years ago Jake was able to buy an old mobile home. He had done something many never do. He was a homeowner. He knew the old thing was run down, and needed so much work, but to him he had a home. He got on his knees and prayed. He gave thanks to God. A God who had provided for his child. Jake's response when I took him to this mobile home so he could pay the woman who sold it to him was "Praise the Lord".

And incidentally ..... Jake had borrowed the money for the purchase from his 401K plan! I spent much of our time together trying to advise him on the principals of money management, and HE had a savings plan!!!!!

Oh Lord...who says we can't learn from evey single soul we come in contact with!
my bad...

TODAY'S LESSON FROM JAKE: Have faith, give more to someone than you keep for yourself; and do not argue with those who try to teach, how important really is it to be "right". And never, never forget where you came from and who you are and be eager to always give God what is His and Thank Him for what He gives you.