Something to Give
| Book: Something to Give: A Story for Families Author: Naomi S. Smith Illustrator: Lari Taylor Smith Publisher: Bonneville Books 2002 |
I was completely charmed by this little tale for families. Timothy is a shepherd. He loves being a shepherd and caring for his sheep, but as the oldest son, he ought to be a fisherman. He isn’t, because he is small-built, too small to fish on Galillee. So instead, he spends his days like David, high on a hill, dreaming of a day when he might gain the admiration and respect of his father, who loves him, but who sees greater promise in his little brother. Then one day, Timothy’s life changes forever.
As he awakens from a nap on the hill, he sees a crowd of people approaching--hundreds of them who come to the adjacent mountainside and sit. When he runs to see what is happening, he witnesses miraculous healings. Suddenly he knows who this amazing rabbi is. It is the Nazarene his father and uncles talked about. It is Jesus. As he listens to this man speak, he is captivated. And then…Jesus asks if anyone has food. Timothy has his dinner, just a small amount that will barely feed him. It would not be enough to feed such a great man. But then he sees the look of disappointment on the Master’s face and rushes to offer to the disciples his small meal of five loaves and two fishes. When he discovers that the food was not being sought for the Master, but for the entire crowd, he is embarrassed at having offered so little for so many. But when the disciple gives it to the Master reluctantly, Jesus accepts the offering and Timothy becomes part of one of the great miracles of the Bible.
When Timothy talks with the Savior, he learns a great lesson. “ ‘To give all one has, Timothy, is great in the sight of the Father, whether it be five loaves of barley or a great treasure.’ Then softly, but with so much love in His voice that Timothy raised his eyes to see that it was really himself to whom the Master spoke, ‘Or whether it be a cherished dream in a small boy’s heart.’”
This is a touching tale of a little boy who learns who he is because of his selfless gift of love. It is the perfect Family Home Evening lesson or bedtime story. Although it appears to be a children’s story at first glance, this story will capture the hearts of the entire family.
-by Terrie Lynn Bittner