Chapter 354

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little." ~ Edmund Burke

“Once upon a time” my grandchildren say, when we are making storytelling videos. Well let me tell you a story . . . Once upon a time I knew two older people, who both were super excited to support my wife and me in a mission endeavor overseas. One older person was a person of great wealth, lived in California in a 6000 + square foot house, and a six car garage filled with luscious toys. With great glee she presented me with her gift, a jar filled with coins. “I have been saving my loose change for a year now, and here it is for you.” The total was $168.00, and well, change.

The second lady was a wee tiny thing who lived in the smallest mobile home I had ever seen in Florida. She lived on a small pension from her school teacher days and whatever social security sent her. Her clothes were old and not very fashionable. She had thick glasses and could barely see. She was hysterically funny and had the best sense of humor hands down. At the end of our visit, she apologetically gave us her gift, bemoaning that it was not more. The total was $13,000.00 and no change.

And I could tell you the story of the person who could not help me build homes for homeless people, because of how they had to fix up their 6 bedroom home so they could sell it. They never saw the irony of that. And I wish that I was making these stories up, like my grandchildren do, but these are actually true stories, and I have many more.

Of course I could have gone a completely different way with the opening quote, but you think about it.