This Could Be the Best $100 Ever Spent

This past Sunday in worship, we lifted up Sadie Mae Lauer in prayer.  Sadie, you may know, is the 2-year old daughter of Ethan & Erin Lauer who’s been fighting childhood cancer.  Sadie’s parents had gotten distressing news of elevated numbers in one of Sadie’s tests, and they were quite anxious.

Katie Buethe highlighted the work that Anna Lauer, age 7, has been doing to help her younger sister.  Anna staffed a lemonade stand in her neighborhood that brought in over $1400 – and she is helping to organize a CureSearch Walk on October 14. (See http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sadiemaelauer.) The devoted love of Anna for Sadie Mae was – and is – deeply touching to all of us.

I learned after the service that someone in the congregation gave Katie an envelope to hand to Anna.  When the envelope was opened, Anna learned that an anonymous friend and co-worshiper had given her a $100 bill! Can you imagine the awe that a seven-year old girl felt holding a $100 bill? Anna kept saying, “I can’t believe it!”  She then decided to take the final $6.00 in her own piggybank and add that to all the donations.

So, Generous Giver, the remainder of this note is to you.

I’m thankful to you, Generous Giver, for several reasons. First is your immediate response to the Holy Spirit that nudged you.  Christians, as we say, don’t have good ideas, they get promptings from the Holy Spirit. You listened and you acted.  You were attentive and obedient to that inner voice of extravagant generosity. God bless you.

Another is your anonymity.  As far as I know, the $100 could have been a gift from anyone in the church.  I love knowing that everyone I see here could be you, and that this congregation is full of people who could be the doer of what you did.  I hope I don’t learn who you are, Generous Giver.  I like it better this way.

I’m thankful that you directed your $100 gift directly to Anna.  She is a remarkable girl.  I know I still feel a little bit of awe when I hold such a large bill, so I love imagining what Anna felt.  Your putting that smile on her face and that giddiness in her heart shows your love for children as much as making the donation for Sadie Mae itself. 

And I’m grateful that you have placed this witness of what the church can be in Anna’s heart – and in her parent’s hearts too.  Generous Giver, this becomes part of how these girls will think about the church of Jesus Christ for the rest of their lives. This is a wonderful legacy.  When they each hear people scoff at, or denigrate, or ignore Christianity, I feel sure they’ll say, “Not so fast.  Let me tell you what the church is about.”  And they can tell the story of what happened last Sunday.

You have strengthened our witness for Jesus Christ for years to come.  The Lauers will never forget it, and they’ll tell others.  And it all started with a whisper in your heart!

You’ll be pleased to know, by the way, that the high numbers were the result of a lab error.  Sadie is still cancer free!  But thousands of other children need the love and support you gave.  Thank you.

I’ll look forward to seeing you this Sunday, G.G.  And since anyone could be you, and you could be anyone –

I know I will!

 

Pastor Larry