SABBATH SNAPSHOT : Anonymi-TEA a delightful cuppa Generosi-TEA

In September 2011, I began what became a year of anonymous gift giving. Seeking the "gift" that the Lord would have me give each day became a real lesson of both trust and delight for me. The anonymity of the giving was part and parcel of the delight. Having that in my background, I easily understood the premise for this book, which is based on a true story.

My "pay it forward" connection, along with this being the 1st of the 12 days of Christmas, seemed like the perfect day for a book review of The 13th Gift, a "Pay it Forward" type book....by Joanne Huis Smith.

Following the tragic loss of her husband, a now single mom tries to provide some semblance of the joy of Christmas for her children. When gifts start appearing on her doorstep, her shattered world seemed to fade somewhat as she saw her children begin to thaw. What she couldn't fathom was "the identity of the giver." Once she even risked breaking into a car to see a label on the first gift in order to narrow the search for this "true friend giver."

"Thanks to our true friends, Momma Bear is back. My gusto for Christmas might not be the same, but my kids will know they're not on their own." (p. 98) 
True friends gave us kindness, unsolicited, but desperately needed ...and had broken the hold that grief had on us." (p.188)

A great reminder for all of us---we all possess the ability to give. More than money, one just needs a kind and compassionate heart to share---in this instance, a legacy of generosity was "handed down."

Even the acknowledgements included a "wrapped" gift. Wrapped in words of inspiration. Thirteen years for a 13th gift.

"Finally, I send out a prayer of hope and gratitude for gift givers everywhere. Your generosity of spirit fuels us all forward. (p. 204)