The solitary rhythmic tone of that Salvation Army kettle bell ringing on a wintry night has always gotten to me. Since I was old enough to have money in my pocket I would give almost every time I passed a bell–ringer bundled up on a cold wintry night.
When I had children, I pressed money into their palms in the parking lot so they could experience the reward of sliding a small gift into the red swaying bucket. So when our pastor announced that The Salvation Army in our area was having a tough time finding people to ring, my husband and I signed up for a slot. We were surprised (and I admit a bit apprehensive) when our 7–year–old daughter announced that she wanted to help too.
As we arrived at our post, a spectacular full moon rose over the parking lot. The glowing orange orb had holiday shoppers staring. But when they got out of their cars and heard the sound of jubilant bells ringing—you could even say piercing—the chilly night air, the moon wasn’t the only thing that turned their heads.
Our typically timid first–grader was shakin’ it up for The Salvation Army! With arms raised high and bells in both fists, Abby ran, pranced, spun, jumped, and waved for two hours. She even wished customers still locked in their SUVs a “Merry Christmas!”
The result of her innocent enthusiasm was immediate and overwhelming. Almost every shopper coming through the doors of Price Chopper that Saturday night laughed and dumped money into the bucket, sometimes on the way in and again on the way out.
Several people just drove by and handed cash out the window to Abby. A couple of others had to chase her down to give her their offering. As my husband and I stood amused, guarding the kettle, Abby worked both store entrances. By the end of the night, the bucket was packed with rolls of bills and even a couple of checks from people who didn’t have enough cash on them.
During a mid–shift lull, Abby had emptied her own meager money from her pocket into the pot.
As she loudly “God–blessed” every giver, I think we all learned a few lessons:
- When grown–ups see a child giving so enthusiastically of everything she has for a worthy cause, they follow her example and show us the truth of Jesus’ love.
- Allowing children to join Dad and Mom in giving their time during such a busy season instills in children an earnest, lifelong desire to give.
- When you ask for money nicely with a smile and a silly dance, you usually get it.
- Two bells are better than one, and if you can manage to get four in one hand at a time, over your head, while running and leaping and singing, you have a real future in the Kingdom of God.
As a family, we could never have given even half what Abby raised for The Salvation Army in two short, gleeful hours. Like that little boy in the Bible with five loaves and two fish, if you cheerfully give what you have, God can multiply it to provide for thousands in need.
Carey Haivala is a freelance writer living in Overland Park, Kan.
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