Silver Candlesticks

Scott and I recently received a beautiful letter accompanied by an amazing gift. We were humbled and deeply moved by such generosity. I will leave out names in respect to those involved, but I couldn't wait to share this story with all of you................
"Dear Scott and Mollie....... I have been journaling through the scriptures provided by the church. As I turn my eyes and heart toward the purpose of Christ's birth and His redemption of me, I am reminded of a great quote in the movie Les Miserables. It was when Monseigneur Bienven had been beaten by the criminal Jean Valjean, who robbed him and was later returned by the police to confirm the robbery. Instead of condemning the man, the Bishop added the silver candlesticks, which were the best of the best, to Valjean's bag of stolen silver. Then the Bishop drew Valjean close to him and whispered: "Forget not, never forget that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man....Jean Valjean, my brother: you belong no longer to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!" I have often thought of this statement in light of God's redemption of my soul and how He threw in the best heaven had to offer, the Best of the Best, to claim me as his own. I take it quite personally. I have also seen God use people and their various generous ways to contribute to my welfare, such as the Bishop did to Valjean. You see, there was a process begun early in my life that took me from a poor housing project to eventually a life that would be better than I would have ever hoped for, and certainly better than I would ever deserve. The truth is many children in that housing project have gone on to live a life of despair and likely poverty. Many have gone to jails. Many have never known the grace of God and the redemption of their souls. But, for some reason, I was given hope, even when I didn't know that I needed hope. I was given help, even when I didn't know I would require it. I was given opportunity, even before I would realize that I would be desperate without it. I was given "redemption" from a life of limited choices, and limited hope, and limited future. There has been several people over my lifetime who have thrown "silver candlesticks" in the bag for me, and I understand the blessing I have received because of their help. I believe that in all Christians (whose heart is right with Christ) is a desire to express this kind of love and give this kind of opportunity to someone who it will help. Many would do this if they had the "silver candlesticks" to throw in the bag to save someone from a life of despair. But, they simply do not have the financial ability and cannot. But, for those who have the ability? Well, like scripture says, "For those who have been given much, much is required." I take this challenge to scripture very personal, for I have been given much, and I want to give as I have been given to. I feel my Savior's great delight when I do so. But do I have the ability? That was my question to God and myself this morning. As I thought this through and asked myself,"Do my wife and I have any "silver candlesticks" to give for the 'redemption' of this child in Africa, from a life of desperation he will surely face? After all, our income is now greatly reduced? How can we do it?" Indeed I do have the "silver candlesticks" to throw into the bag. I have a great motorcycle that if sold for it's best value could contribute to this adoption. What a great investment I believe it would be for us to make and what a joy to make it! Therefore, if you are willing to accept this gift, it will be with great joy that this is what we will do. Let us throw our "silver" in this bag in the form of what the motorcycle can be sold for. I am ready to proceed with this as soon as possible. Thank you for letting us be part of your journey." Unbelievable, right? Scott and I were completely overwhelmed; words cannot even express our gratitude! Well, the story continues. This past Friday I listed the motorcycle on Craig's List. Saturday, I received a call from a gentleman who said he had been looking for just this bike. Sunday, he drove to our house, with cash in hand, and purchased the motorcycle. (We were even able to share our story with him. ) I am reminded everyday of God's love. How HE moves in HIS children to act on HIS behalf. How HE will provide every penny we need throughout this process. And most importantly, how HE is walking closely with us every step of the way!