We were robbed a few months ago – if you didn’t catch the story, you can here – and here’s “the rest of the story.”
This week we got the check from the insurance company – my first thoughts were, of course, to replace her wedding ring or replace the purity ring she gave me on our wedding day. In fact, just today we celebrated 13 years of marriage.
But my wife wanted to do something else, and when she told me I was blown away. She wanted to give 10% to the church and all of the rest to an organization called Shared Hope International. They specialize in rescuing little girls from childhood prostitution. Here’s a copy of the note she wrote them this past week:
Dear Shared Hope,
I’ve been praying about how to give more to rescue the little girls. This $1,100 check is an answer to prayer. In April, we had a robbery and all of my jewelry was stolen. I knew immediately that if we received any insurance money, I would send it to you. For 3 weeks prior to the robbery, my thoughts and dreams were consumed by how to help these precious children. So in a way this robbery was a direct answer to my prayer. Ironically, one of the items stolen was my purity ring given to me by my dad 18 years ago. May God use its value to restore the purity of other little girls.
Thank you for all you do,
Angela
You are richer when you give – that’s the lesson I’m still learning this week.
JG
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Josh Griffin has been in youth ministry for 15+ years and serves as the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church. [
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Geoff Stewart serves the Jr / Sr High School Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey B.C.
I hope you thank God everyday for your wife and the heart God has given her for others. Thanks for sharing.
Wow bro. That’ incredible. Just wow.
Wow Bro., Unbelievable. in my opportunities to meet and visit with you i have always been impressed by your heart for students and people in general. Having never met your wife and knowing how much time you spend on the road in the early part of the year, i knew that she must be special. But i have to tell you, knowing what a youth ministers household budget looks like, man she rocks. What an awesome testimony of using a negative situation to Truly share the Love of Christ.
You best post ever. Wow.
Brought tears to my eyes Josh – that is a beautiful thing.
I think most Christians would say that things are just things, even expensive and highly symbolic things like a wedding and purity ring. Compared to relationships and the things God holds dear, things just don’t compare. However, most of us (myself included, if I’m honest) struggle to put that truth into practice. I would be hard pressed to sell my wedding ring – with all it symbolizes to my wife and I – in order to give the money away, no matter how important the cause. Yet your wife has done just that (in a matter of speaking), not only showing amazing priorities, but also showing the greatest priority of obeying God, no matter the cost. Keep and honor that woman. She’s a real gem.