...eraser

What did you hide in your pockets when you were a kid? 

What do you keep in your pockets now? 

Perhaps there is a treasure stuffed into your pocket right now!

It was Poppa's birthday, and there was never a little boy more anxious to please his grandfather than Lance. The family party with cake and gifts was not enough for Lance. He was a big boy now. He was three years old and he wanted to give his own present.

As little boys will do, Lance always had pockets full of junk, including erasers. For some reason he dearly loved erasers. He thought it was magical that they could make pencil marks and even finger prints on the walls disappear.

Poppa was engrossed in the newspaper. "Poppa," said Lance. "Happy Birthday, Poppa. I have my own present for you." Poppa lowered the paper and looked over the top of his glasses. Lance reached down deep into the pocket of his patched Levis and struggled to pull out a tiny gift wrapped in a Kleenex and a rubber band twisted into a bow. "It's for you, Poppa. It's my favorite eraser. Cause, Poppa, I really love you." 

Then Lance's little freckled face broke into a huge grin. "I have something else for you Poppa, cause I love you." He struggled again to reach down to the bottom of his Levi pocket. He pulled his chubby dimpled hand out and opened it to reveal some coins. "Here Poppa, you can have all my money. 

This is all the money I've got, and it's for you, Poppa. Happy Birthday."

Now tears are sneaking their way down Poppa's cheeks. "Oh, Lance, I can't take all your money." "Yeah, Poppa, it's for you 'cause you are my Poppa and I love you. Is it lots of money, Poppa? How much is it?" "Oh yes, it's lots of money, Lance. It's 37 cents. Thank you very, very much." It was only an eraser and thirty seven cents given by a little boy in patched Levis. Yet that simple act of unreserved giving brought Heaven to earth in one stunning moment. A sweaty dimpled little hand revealed a glimpse of God.

Who do you love enough to give everything you have in your pockets? Has anyone ever given everything for you? Well, Jesus gave his all when he gave his life for you. As he surrendered his life, he erased all your mistakes and misdeeds simply because He loves you.

-sandra herron