My Good Samaritan

I was watching the movie the "The Back-up Plan" the other night and I couldn't help but totally relate to what one of the character's said about having children. He said most of your days as a parent you are frustrated, angry, exhausted, humiliated but once in a while your child will do something or say something that is so wonderful and magical that you will never be more proud or in love with being a parent.

This week Reagan gave me that moment. We had been in Austin visiting the capital with his 4th grade class and the whole time, his posse which I was in charge of, was on a mission to find the gift shop for some cold hard candy and then the Starbucks for a Frappuccino. I force them through half of the capital taking every wrong turn to finally make it to the gift shop. It seemed however my pack of boys was not the only group with sugar on the brain, for the gift shop was packed wall to wall with smelly 4th graders in the pursuit of candy. I am sure not quite the souvenir most moms were planning on their $5 dollars going towards. At least they could have chosen the chocolate that was in the shape of Texas or the state capital emblem, but no we are talking whoppers, nerds, m&m's and baby bottle pops. So Reagan and his gang finally make their way to the register with each one proudly pulling out their money and making their exchange with the cashier lightning fast so not to loose another minute without the sweet sugar rushing through their little bodies. Reagan on the other hand looks at the Hersey's bar, which is his all time favorite, and then looks at me and says "no I think I am going to pass." I figure he is just holding back for the decaf coffee splurge around the corner, but there again he chooses to pass.
Many hours later, as Reagan, I and the rest of our family are in the car picking up pizza and a movie for our weekly event, he is still holding onto his wallet with a need to empty it. As we waited in Little Ceasers for our pizza to finish baking he walks up to the counter and picks up a pamphlet on a charity for needy babies that was laying there beside one of those little clear boxes with a slit at the top (which has no more than 85 cents in it). He quietly reads the pamphlet, then opens his wallet to pull out his folded bills. Without saying a word he walks back up to the counter and slips his money through the slot.
I sat there ever so still and quiet, which is very hard for me to do and waited for him to return to the seat next to me. When he sat down I simply asked him what he had done. He went on to explain to me that he felt that those babies needed his money more than he did. In that instant, I was so proud of him, having it totally erase anything wrong, bad, ugly, embarrassing, frustrating that had taken place prior to that moment.
I went on to tell him, without making it a huge spectacle, how proud I was of him, but even more importantly how proud God was of him. That God had given him a test today and Reagan passed with flying colors. When given the chance to be selfish he didn't give in, but rather gave to a stranger than was in need. He totally lit up and said "you know mom, my heart does feel really good right now, I feel really happy, I guess that's God's way of saying good job!"
As I kissed him goodnight that evening, we discussed the story of "Good Samaritan" and I told him that he was one of God's Good Samaritans and how wonderful that was. Thank you sweet Jesus for such allowing me to be witness to such a magical moment with Reagan!!