Money for McDonalds

Most of you know that my husband, Brandon, was laid off from work in October. It is a pretty hard situation with me being a full time student and us having three kids. Needless to say, money is really tight.

Anyway, I was driving home from dropping my oldest child, Ileyah, off to school. It was the typical drive with music on the radio and the usual blabber of my youngest two children, ages 1 & 3. As we pass McDonalds, my three-year-old, Brandina, blurts out of nowhere, "Mmmm Mommy, can we have McDonalds?"

I told her, "No, we don't have the money to be wasting right now."

"Why Mommy, why can't we go to McDonalds and get Chicken McNuggets?"

I told her again, "Brandina, we don't have the money to be wasting, mommy's broke."

"No you're not. There is money in your purse." She replied.

"Dina, baby, you don't understand, there is NO money in mommy's purse!"

Now that I realize I am arguing with a three-year-old over Chicken McNuggets and money, I decided to turn the radio up and enjoy the rest of my ride home. As I get home and unload the children, my daughter walks up to me and says, "Mommy, I have a present for you." As I look at my child, innocent and beautiful but oblivious to the difficulties of adult struggle, I noticed her handpicking coins out of her Disney Princess purse.

She says to me in all seriousness, as she hands me 18 cents, consisting of all nickels and pennies, "Mommy, go buy yourself some Chicken McNuggets, just give me a little bite okay? This is the money you need so your purse is not empty." I stood their stunned as she hands me her hard-earned savings. Tears well up in my eyes. My daughter is less selfish than most adults. It reminded me of the story with the poor widow in the Bible.

I could have went to McDonalds had I really wanted to. I wasn't that broke that I couldn't order my kid a dollar item. However, the story reminded me of our own selfishness. I know that people in church are supposed to tithe and give their time. This is something that you have to twist arms to accomplish, usually. However, it was a wonderful thing to see, my little girl giving me her all, in order to comfort me. It reminded me how to continue to be generous even though it is harder and harder to do so.

I think that some of the best lessons in life come from our children. I am blessed to learn from them everday. :)