Ya gotta love enterprising kids who have lemonade stands, peddle their worn out toys, and endeavor to get rich by selling you a rock from their backyard. That was Braden.
Hoping for an easy sale as I walked by his house, he called out exuberantly, “Wanna buy a rock?”
Not one to be rushed into high pressure sales, I countered, “How much?”
“Two bucks.” He sounded pretty firm.
Glancing at my pockets I sadly replied, “I don’t have two bucks.”
He had no intention of letting this sale slip by. “How much DO you have?”
Checking my pockets to see what kind of bartering power I might have, I had one final offer.
“I have a dog biscuit.”
Pausing probably just to make me sweat, he then lit up with a smile from cheek to cheek, “Okay!”
Then grabbing a little rock he asked me what I wanted him to paint on it. Although thoroughly amused by this time, I was eager to resume my walk. So I thought of the quickest picture he could draw.
“How ‘bout a happy face?”
Ten seconds later the masterpiece was complete. I held the rock in my hand and raved, “This is beautiful, Braden. I love it! It makes me happy.”
He beamed.
“And you know what else makes me happy?”
“What?”
“Jesus.” 🙂
Totally puzzled, his face went blank.
“He’s the one who made this rock, and made you, and your dog, and the stars, and everything! And He loves you.”
“Oh.”
So I thanked him again and was on my way.
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Sitting here now enjoying the happy rock, I still chuckle at the young boy’s exuberance. In addition to the sheer joy of the whole interaction, I’m grateful for the opportunity to encourage and affirm this budding artistic entrepreneur.
And most of all, to be able to plant a small seed in his heart. I pray he goes on in his life to seek a relationship with his Creator and Savior. ❤️
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P.S. Also enjoying the fact that I’m richer than I realized – I have a whole bag of dog biscuits!
