I give you 4 shirts. You give me $4,000 ??

In 1990, I went to the University of the Nations in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii for discipleship school and cross-cultural evangelism training. Our class had students from all over the world. One couple was from Sweden and I noticed they (and their children) wore the same clothes all the time.

Somehow, I reasoned that this family must not have many clothes or much money. I went shopping and bought each person in their family some new shirts. Being raised poor and being teased about clothes as a child, I carried a hyper-sensitivity about this.

I gave them the shirts one afternoon and they were SO thankful to receive these gifts. I was happy for them and never dreamed I had missed something culturally.

I was puzzled that this family didn't begin wearing their new shirts. It seemed like forever before the shirts made an appearance. When it finally happened, they wore them happily and I was relieved because I thought I might have offended them!

When the instruction part of the school was coming to a close, the outreach portion of the study was presented: two months in a foreign country to serve and reach another culture. Problem: I didn't have money for this part of the training!

There were many students who felt they were to go on outreach, but didn't have the funds. All of those names were put up on a wall for the school to pray over. Guess who paid my fee? Yep, the Swedish couple. 

                              (humble, humble, humble...)

What I learned was giving the shirts didn't meet a 'wardrobe' need for them--but touched them on a friendship, belonging level.  I gave out of one perception and it went to a place I didn't even realize.

What matters is God has His way. Over the years, I have reviewed this life story many times. Sometimes we act out of what we see; other times we act out of what we know. But what is important is that we act; not out of judgment but out of compassion and love.

None of us want to be insensitive or offensive--so there is the risk of being misunderstood. But what legacy awaits those who don't act at all? If we do nothing, we limit what we learn. If we don't try, we don't grow. If we make mistakes---and a list of mine would fill a blogger's universe---we hope those who love us will give us grace.

For all the times I have "missed it", I feel a thud in my heart--and I heave a prayer to God asking Him to make things right where I never could. And for all of you who have shown me grace, THANK YOU!!

If any of you ever need some grace, someone to listen... or a tacky Hawaiian shirt, just let me know. I can hook you up. :)