"It's All Yours!" : A Money Counting Life Lesson

"Mom, Josh gave us all the money he found in his car. And, he said we could have it if we could count it!"

There's power in words. 

Twenty-six years ago, a four-year-old, math-savvy preschooler cleaned great-grandpa's pockets. 

"Josh, if you can count it, you can have it!" Great-grandpa quipped. Little did he know his pockets would be empty when he left the family Christmas Eve gathering.

Josh counted every coin and left $6.72 richer.

Even more important, a relationship spanned and deeped across three generations. Josh made a connection. The words—the challenge—fueled the learning.

Would he really give all he had? 

A challenge and some change made an impact. And, it repeated itself.

"Mom, Josh gave us all the money he found in his car. And, he said we could have it if we could count it!"

I inquired.

"What?"

"Josh gave us all the money he found in his car and we are counting it. If we count it, we can keep it."

I heard correctly and immediately remembered the similar day, Christmas Eve long ago.

Dimes, in piles of ten, for 100. Pennies in piles of ten for ten. Methodically organized for a simple LAST count. 

$34.15

"Mom, is he serious?"

"There's $34.15 here!"

"Did he know how much was here?"

I bet he did.

Josh wasn't worried.

He gave, but he also inspired. His heart for the relationship—his memory of what had been given him—extended to give another GIFT!

I was thankful for the counting practice, but honestly, what made my heart swell was what the girls experienced.

Someone freely gave to them, not worried about the amount. Just gave. 

"It's all yours!"  meant much more than a pile of change. 

Will they pose the same challenge one day?

I bet they will!