Eva was poor. Her family did not have much and the Christmas party at school was approaching. My classmates and I had drawn names after Thanksgiving break and Eva had picked me. Everyone teased that I would end up with nothing. My heart grew anxious and I feared they would start to edge me out of the “hip” group.

“Everyone pass your presents out to whomever you picked.” Miss Wiggles was never very friendly, even for a teacher. We nicknamed her that for Miss Wiegel, but we all secretly thought her a witch.

Eva handed me the hand-crocheted, dish-detergent based basket. It was yellow and cheery, but I could hear the girls snickering in the corner. As I undid the crocheted ribbon, a little doll with a yellow knit dress lay at the bottom. I liked it. I did not speak or look at the girls in the corner of the room. Even as a child, I knew it had taken Eva’s grandmother some time to make that gift and I cherished it. Still in my head, the giggles pierced my heart and it broke in two for Eva, who was obviously embarrassed by the gift. It was not store bought like everyone else’s present.

To this day I find myself thinking back to this third grade moment. It really was just a moment. Much has taken place since then. I remember Eva in high school. She had a boyfriend, Shane, and I do believe they ended up marrying. I often wonder how their life turned out, if she knows Jesus, and if I were to see her ever again, would I tell her how much that gift meant to me. It was clearly a gift of love. I think most of all, I would give her a hug.

This was the closest thing I could find on the web that resembled my purse…
http://crochetit.blogspot.com/2010/01/free-baby-youre-star-cradle-purse.html

Now imagine it is all yellow, with the bottom of a dish detergent bottle as a base, and the rest crocheted.

Acts 20:35 (NKJV) 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” What of the women who gave all she had? Was she not more blessed than all the rest? In some ways she was. Sometimes people say it is the thought that counts, but I like to think it is the sacrifice you make to bless someone else which honors God. Have a Merry Christmas!