Sea Anemone, Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.
Deuteronomy 8:18 [NAS]
My desire to be a philanthropist dates back to many years of financial hardship due to unbelievable medical bills. Our daily existence was paid in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters rather than currency – which flew out the door to medical providers as fast as it came in. There was a period of 16 months when we were homeless – taken in by a concerned church member, living in an ancient trailer with no A/C in the middle of the Arizona desert. The road in and out of the place was so bad, we regularly experienced flats on one of our bald tires.
I vividly remember one day experiencing a flat tire on the old truck as we headed from the market. I had no jack and, for that matter, no spare. The cab of the truck was blistering hot, so we [me holding a newborn, with a 2- and 3-yr-old clutching my legs] stood by the side of the road hoping and praying that someone would help us. A police paddy wagon arrived before too long, and we had the privilege of riding home in the cage. The girls thought it a great adventure. I was grateful to be out of the heat.
During those long years of deprivation, it was not uncommon for someone to slip up to me at church and hand me a plain white envelope with no name. Often this gesture was followed by the words, “Someone asked me to give you this.” The cash inside always seemed to be just the amount that I needed—for a pressing bill, or just to live. I rarely had a human face to attach to the giving of the offering, but I didn’t need one. I knew exactly where the money came from: it was heaven-inspired, heaven-sent.
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my King.
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