Yesterday, August bid us a lovely farewell like an evil teacher writing something complimentary in your yearbook. Something nice to remember her by.

It was my daughter’s second birthday and, though it was a cool morning, we went swimming at the Y to celebrate. After we swam, as we got dressed and packed our bags on the long, vinyl chairs, Jesus spoke to me in a parable.

Lucy was crying. My son had posession of the goldfish crackers and would not share. He wouldn’t give me any either. I called him over to me and I heard myself say this:

“Jude, those are my crackers. I bought them and I gave them to you. I want you to have them, but I also want you to share them with your sister and me. They are mine and I want you to be generous with them.”

We’ve been trying to tithe this year. We’re behind right now, so I’ve had occasion to pray for God’s help in being generous and to think about the meaning of giving. As I spoke these words to Jude, I heard with new clarity Christ’s simple message to me regarding the gift of my life. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.